What is foot valgus? Parents should face

In the medical field, foot valgus has a more professional name, valgus foot, which can affect both feet or one foot. Although this disease is caused by the abnormal development of the baby's bones, parents should not worry too much, but face the problem of hallux valgus squarely, take the baby to a regular hospital for treatment as soon as possible, and cure the baby's hallux valgus problem as soon as possible.

1. What is foot valgus?

Foot valgus, also known as valgus foot, refers to the outward deviation of the heel axis in children and is one of the common foot deformities. Foot valgus is a deformity caused by abnormal development of the foot tendons, accompanied by flat feet and navicular collapse. The line connecting the midpoint of the calf, the center of the Achilles tendon, and the center of the calcaneus forms a shape. In addition, foot valgus can also cause ankle valgus deformation.

2. Diagnostic basis:

1. The baby has plantar flexion and varus deformity on one or both sides of the foot after birth.

2. Adduction and inversion of the forefoot, plantar flexion of the talus, inversion and plantar flexion of the calcaneus, contracture of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. The forefoot becomes wider, the heel becomes narrower and smaller, and the arch is high. The lateral malleolus is prominent anteriorly, while the medial malleolus is posteriorly and not obvious.

3. When standing and walking, the outer edge of the plantar bears weight. In severe cases, the outer edge of the dorsum of the foot bears weight, causing bursitis and callus in the weight-bearing area.

4. Unilateral deformity will cause limping while bilateral deformity will cause unsteady walking.

5. X-ray: The angle between the longitudinal axis of the talus and the first metatarsal is greater than 15°, and the angle between the plantar surface of the calcaneus and the longitudinal axis of the talus is less than 30°.

Treatment

The earlier the treatment starts after birth, the better the effect. Treatment varies according to age and degree of deformity.

1. Manual correction method: generally suitable for children under 6 months or with milder cases. Start at birth, the earlier the better. The doctor teaches the mother or guides the child to first correct the adduction of the forefoot, then correct the inversion of the subtalar joint, and then correct the plantar flexion of the ankle joint. The technique should be gentle to avoid damaging the epiphysis. Hold each correction position for 10 seconds, for 10-15 minutes each time. It is generally recommended to do it before breastfeeding.

2. Plaster tube external fixation correction: suitable for children aged 3 months to 1 year, replaced every 2-3 months.

3. Surgical treatment is suitable for those over 6 months old who cannot be corrected by manual methods. The type of surgery varies by age.

(1) Soft tissue release on the medial and posterior side of the foot is suitable for children aged 6 months to 6 years.

(2) Lateral column shortening is suitable for children over 3 years old with severe deformity. At the same time as the medial and posterior soft tissue release, the cuboid bone or calcaneal wedge resection of the calcaneocubital joint or the lateral wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus is performed.

(3) Triple arthrodesis is suitable for patients over 12 years old with severe deformity.