O-shaped legs. Crooked legs in a child

The disease associated with deformity of the joints of the lower extremities occurs equally in men and women. This problem carries the formation of aesthetic complexes or leads to poor health.

Often, the deformity of the joints is inherited due to national characteristics. Limb curvature can be noticed at an early age. To correct the situation, you should consult a doctor, preventing deterioration.


The reasons for the appearance of curvature of the legs include factors:

  • rickets and its consequences arising from adverse conditions during the growth of the child;
  • pathological processes in the bone tissue, leading to thinning of the bone structure;
  • incorrect posture while standing or sitting;
  • engaging in certain sports in childhood or adolescence;
  • violation of mineral metabolism;
  • overweight, inactivity;
  • weakness of the ligamentous apparatus;
  • endocrine causes.

Leg Curvature Types

There are several types of deformation:

  1. True.

Changes when the femur and lower leg are arched. Basically, the cause of such an ailment is a hereditary predisposition or a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. To correct the situation, you need to consult an orthopedist.

  1. False.

With a false curvature of the legs, the bone has the correct shape. The source of the problem is associated with a violation of the development of muscle tissue. The knees and ankles touch, forming a curvature at the ankle. You can eliminate the condition with the help of a course of exercises.

  1. O-shaped, varus.

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This defect has the appearance of an oval, since the disease starts from the hips and goes to the ankle joint. The knee joints do not touch each other.

  1. Valgus curvature, X-shaped.

A defect in which the knees are together but the ankles do not converge. The appearance of the legs is similar to the letter X.

Method for determining the type of curvature


To determine the shape of the limbs and identify possible violations, you must perform the following steps:

  • stand straight in front of the mirror and bend your leg:
  • if the knee has shifted inward, this indicates an O-deformity;
  • the patella has moved outward - a type of X-curvature;
  • put your hands on your waist (feet shoulder width apart), do a squat:
  • with an O-defect, the legs diverge to the sides;
  • X-type - limbs are connected;
  • the correct form is bending parallel to the feet.

To fully confirm or exclude the diagnosis, it is necessary to take an x-ray. The condition of the bones determines the type and solution of the problem.

False curvature correction

This deformation does not cause harm to health and carries only an aesthetic aspect. To correct the condition, you need to play sports, get rid of excess weight and increase muscle tissue. With the right selection of exercises, cosmetic changes will gradually disappear. You can perform a set of classes at home and in gyms.

true curvature

The true curvature lies in the defect of the bones of the legs, sometimes it is difficult to cope with it only with the help of exercise therapy.

Surgery

There are two types of surgeries:

A. Installation of the Ilizarov apparatus on the lower leg.

The procedure has a fairly rapid progress, which is noticeable after 2 months. Operations can be performed from the age of 14. After removal of the structure, loads are prohibited for several weeks. The technique is traditional and is used in most cases.

Read also: A set of exercises for legs with sore knees

Possible complications:

  • inflammation in soft tissues;
  • infectious processes;
  • the appearance of contracture;
  • damage in the area of ​​correction.

B. Plastic surgery - cruroplasty.

The operation is carried out in two ways:

  • installation of an implant in the shin area of ​​the desired shape;
  • lipofilling from fat cells of the abdomen or buttocks.

The procedure takes place under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Rehabilitation lasts for 2 months, the disadvantages include displacement of the implant and distortion of the shape of the legs. Sports activities are prohibited.

Massage

Massaging sessions are important from the birth of a child to three years. The procedure will help correct crooked legs only in early childhood.

For adults use manual therapy and impact on the lower back, if the essence of the defect lies in the sacrum. It will not be possible to completely remove the deformation, since the formed bone tissue is difficult to massage.

Straightening on the simulator


The principle of the technique is horizontal traction of the spinal column and lower limbs.

The regularity of execution helps in relieving muscle spasms that have appeared due to curvature, restoring blood flow and a noticeable lengthening of the lower leg.

Correction belts

The procedure consists in fastening the legs at several points with special belts and performing the prescribed exercises in this form.

Manual fix

The technique allows to eliminate defects:

  • too flattened or divorced knees;
  • O - figurative deformation;
  • curvature of the femur.

Restoration of functions in the knee joints:

  • It is necessary daily for a minute to pat on the areas of the meniscus with a bag filled with a loose substance (salt or sand): on the inside with an O-defect, on the outside with an X-type.
  • It is worth striking with a gradual increase in strength twice a day.

Read also: How to get rid of postpartum leg swelling

Calf curvature correction:

  • The exercise is performed in the same way - by tapping on defective places. The essence of the technique is to apply microtrauma and improve blood flow and metabolic phenomena. After the blows, there is a visual improvement.

Elimination of the defect of the femur:

  • Sit on a chair and intensely squeeze a small ball between your thighs.

With this exercise, the growth of muscle tissue occurs.

The effect of training occurs after about 6 months.

Yoga


Gymnastics is used to strengthen muscle strength. Elimination of deformation is carried out by a complex of special asanas that relax areas of tightness.

visual effect

The procedures to eliminate the curvature of the legs are quite lengthy, so you can correct a cosmetic defect using the following tricks:

  • Overlays.

Special silicone devices are attached to the lower leg, and then tights or tight pants are put on.

  • Cloth.

A properly selected piece of clothing can correct the problem and visually straighten the legs. For everyday wear, trousers with hip flares, boots with a wide top, dresses and skirts of maximum length to the ankles should be worn.

A set of exercises for adjusting the O-legs

The following exercises will help to make the limbs straight:

  • walking on the inner and outer sides of the foot, lifting on toes and moving to the heels when lowering;
  • running with high legs;
  • squat;
  • plie (socks and knees look in different sides);
  • abduction to the side with one foot alternately standing at the support, you can use a sports elastic band;
  • raise straight legs alternately;
  • pushing forward alternately each leg with a squat (weight shift should fall on the heel area);
  • exercise "scissors";
  • reduction and connection of limbs in the supine position.

If you look closely at the legs of children, you can find different variations. In some children, they are oval ("o-shaped"). Often, this shape is either preserved or modified into x-shaped legs in children.

If you have a boy, then you should not think that only babies need straight legs, and the boy will live on anyway. Now imagine yourself in the place of your son: now he has grown up, trying to please the girls and wearing tight-fitting jeans that are now fashionable or a wide variety of trousers in the form of tricots. And here are the legs of X. The child is upset, a number of complexes appear, the first of them concerns his appearance, as a result of which he is embarrassed to communicate with girls and peers. Feels like an outcast.

And for girls, x-shaped legs - real tragedy Say goodbye to trendy leggings and miniskirts, tight pants, and much more...

What can we, parents, do while the child is small, is it possible to straighten the legs with the help of exercises? What to do if the legs are crooked?

Who is guilty?

X-shaped legs, in other words they are called hallux valgus.If you put your legs together and stand up straight, then your knees and ankles will not converge at the same time. More precisely, there will be a convergence in the knee area, and the ankles will diverge to the sides by 4 or more centimeters - this will be a valgus curvature of the legs. We’ll make a reservation right away - you don’t need to count the gaps of the legs - this is from “another opera. The ankles go to the sides like the letter “X”, so they called the legs x-shaped.

We are wasting valuable time for this situation, attributing the curvature of the legs to hereditary traits. It has long been established that children with x-shaped legs are born to parents with straight legs and vice versa. This deformation is acquired and it is necessary to start dealing with it in time in order to prevent serious consequences.

Causes of hallux valgus deformity.

The appearance of this type of deformation most often occurs against the background of rickets. The disease, so popular earlier, is still found today, especially in babies born in autumn and winter. What other consequences of rickets can be,.

And we all believe that in the modern world this disease no longer exists or, at least, will not affect our children. But it is rickets that becomes the culprit of impaired bone growth and their subsequent curvature. Even if enough calcium is consumed from dairy products or fortified formulas, the baby will not absorb calcium without vitamin D. As a result, there is loosening of the bones, the muscles weaken and do not support the normal bone frame.

Seriously think!!! Both the spine of the child and the skull can be deformed, and the chest will fall. So x-shaped legs against this background will be the least disaster. Although, it is on this basis that you can identify this disease, since other signs appear much later.

We walk, we run, we jump.

When the baby is verticalized (when he begins to rise and walk), the entire weight of the baby is a huge burden on the children's legs. So imagine that in the presence of soft tissues of the bones, they will bend under the weight of the child's body.

Found curvature of the legs - running to the pediatrician. It is very important in this situation not to overfeed the child so that he does not gain excess weight, this will only aggravate the situation and the curvature of the legs will be more noticeable. Plus, "lush" kids start to rise very late, crawl very rarely, because it is difficult for them to move on all fours. They immediately get up, and the muscles of the legs are not strong, because the intermediate crawling stage, aimed at strengthening the muscles of the legs, is missed.

Excessive abuse of walkers and jumpers is also considered a particular danger. Many parents plant a fragile baby in them, and he only learned to sit for a couple of days. Yes, mothers have to do things, so the baby “hangs” in them for an hour, or even more. The legs in this state do not have support, spring and fold in the letters "X" and "O". So why are we surprised if we don’t give a damn about the health of our own children, the main thing is that we ourselves feel comfortable. It is clear that it is difficult to carry in your arms, but you will not notice how this time will fly by and the baby will stop hanging on you, freeing you from such a burden. She herself, once putting the child in jumpers, looked at this situation and removed them. And we used walkers as a support from the side, the baby did not sit in them, but walked behind them, pushing - this is much more useful.

You need to help the child gather strength so that he can start crawling and walking further. How to get rid of excess weight - consult a pediatrician, someone will have enough massage, and someone will have to adjust their diet.

Possible consequences.

You should not carelessly treat this problem as cosmetic defects, time will not fix anything. If you don’t treat now, you will either get a psychological trauma in a child, or even worse problems.

Rickets, in addition to the curvature of the legs in the form of X, causes plano-valgus deformity of the foot, since the muscles are weak. You will see this in Figure 2 above. See how the foot is set? The more the X-shaped curvature becomes, the more the problem with the placement of the foot worsens, increasing pressure on the lower leg and ankle joints. What does it threaten? Excruciating pain in the legs and the appearance of spider veins.

And, finally, if the legs are not set correctly, a curvature of the spine is provoked .. Therefore, start treatment as soon as possible if you have this problem. In adolescence, the situation will become irreparable, since the skeletal formation is already over, but in children up to 9-10 years old, you can still try to fix something. Up to three years, this problem is generally remarkably solved, since the bones are still growing, the body structure is changing, which means that by intervening early, you can correct the situation. The doctor says that this is not fixable, change the doctor. That's for sure...

Need to be treated!

We begin to eradicate the root of evil - fight rickets. Toddlers who are not yet 3 years old are likely to be prescribed liquid vitamin D. By the way, autumn-winter babies are prescribed its use in the first year of life to prevent rickets. Pay attention to the fontanel. Does it tighten badly? This is also one of the signs of this disease.

For babies whose legs cannot be corrected by 2.5 years, more conservative methods are used - plaster bandages. You have to go through this stress, for the sake of:

  • sprains of the lateral ligaments of the knee joints;
  • reducing the pressure of the femur on the tibia, the knee is formed correctly;
  • alignment of the legs and minimizing pressure on the bones.

Unfortunately, the procedure is lengthy, it can take from several months to a year, sometimes two. Everything is decided by the degree of neglect. The younger the child, the better, he can still easily cope with "ugly casts" on his legs, than later, he will have to break bones and walk in casts as a teenager.

In addition, general strengthening procedures are prescribed: massages. strengthening leg muscles, exercise therapy, physiotherapy. And, of course, you have to buy orthopedic shoes, which will tightly hold and help fix the position of the legs.

We resort to therapeutic massage.

Healed massage for a child should be performed by a specialist, this should be done every season, that is, 4 times a year. It's a chore, but it's necessary ... After all, both the spinal muscles and the gluteal muscles, and the legs themselves, are subjected to massage, an integrated approach is needed to strengthen the entire motor apparatus of the baby.
Ask the doctor to show you a few manipulations that you can master at home without harm to the baby. But be sure to show a professional masseur to tell you if you do it this way.

You can download Isaeva's book about children's massage, with various disorders (step-by-step guide), here.

If you want to master the technique of baby massage, then this guide will come in handy and help you learn how to massage professionally.

It is very important to exercise the load on the outer edge of the foot so that the legs do not fall inward. Do not turn gymnastics into an obligation, try to do it while playing and the child will get carried away, performing all the elements with pleasure.

  1. "I am a circus performer". Remember the acrobatic stunts performed on the rope, what dexterity you need to have in order not to fall. Stretch the thread on the floor and invite the baby to feel like an aerial gymnast. This exercise forces the child to put the feet straight.
  2. Let's play "bear in the forest". Remember the rhyme about the clubfoot bear, so quote it, forcing the child to roll over and put his legs, clubfoot at the same time. There is a warm-up, the outer sides of the foot. We do this without shoes, so as not to injure the legs and keep the shoes intact.)))
  3. "Ah, Aladdin." Let's try a simplified version of the lotus position. Remember how in the cartoon. Aladdin sat down so that the knees were bred to the side, and the feet were connected together, and not crosswise. The internal muscles of the surface of the legs are stretched.

And also buy a bicycle for your child, often drive to the pool. and swim in the pond in summer. yes and availability gymnastic complexes, such as a Swedish wall is also desirable.

When are physical treatments needed?

If you were diagnosed with an x-shaped curvature of the legs and flat-valgus deformity of the feet at the same time, then most likely you will be prescribed course electrical stimulation. What it is?

Electrical stimulation of the muscles occurs with the help of current pulses of different lengths. This helps to stimulate the muscles, their contraction improves blood circulation, stimulating motor abilities. During pauses, the muscles return to a relaxed state. The presence of temperature, SARS or wounds at the site of application of the electrodes, the procedure is postponed.

And here is an instructive video about massage with orthopedic deviations (school N. Kim.

X-shaped legs in children are considered a pathology, which is characterized by deformation of the legs in any position, especially the change is noticeable in a standing position. If the legs are straightened and brought together, the distance between the heels can reach five centimeters or more. It happens that a defect is acquired by a person during life, pathology can also be congenital.

Young mothers must remember that the skeleton of a child is formed up to two years, during this period the legs take on a different shape. It is especially important to follow the first steps of the baby. The movements are unstable, often the legs take the shape of the letter O or X. When the child becomes confident on the legs, the defect disappears on its own, without requiring treatment. If by the age of two the X-shaped form has become pronounced, it is imperative to consult a doctor for help. An experienced doctor will prescribe a treatment that eliminates the defect by the age of 5. It happens that the curvature is expressed on the one hand, this indicates the possibility of a hereditary factor affecting the health of the child.

The cause is heredity or other factors. Parents are obliged to show attention to the child, avoiding the further spread of the disease. Close attention is required when the baby begins to move independently. Deformation is able to begin to develop, the reasons are hidden in:

  1. If there is a strong load on the lower limbs, in such a case, for the purpose of prevention, parents should ensure that the child temporarily moves with support. It is possible to use a walker, wait for the final strengthening of the legs.
  2. The reason is improperly selected shoes, you need to carefully choose shoes for the baby, shoes, shoes should not crush.
  3. For selected children young age typical overweight. To prevent this, it is necessary to create proper diet baby, try to make the child's lifestyle mobile.
  4. The help of a doctor is required when the child lacks calcium and vitamin D. In the cases mentioned, there is no strength in the legs, the limbs take on an X-shaped form.

You will need to contact the doctor for help, increasing the chances of the child to get back on his feet normally and lead a normal life.

How to treat X - shaped legs

First of all, parents should remember: x - shaped legs will not align on their own, you will definitely have to make an appointment with an orthopedist, the doctor will help to avoid a defect in the future. After the doctor conducts a complete examination, making an accurate diagnosis, the children are prescribed individual treatment.

Treatment and recovery take a lot of time, sometimes treatment takes more than a year. Remember, the sooner help is provided, the sooner the child will get back on his feet.

Massage is often used as the main method of treatment. The session lasts at least 25 minutes during the month, not only the muscles of the legs are massaged, the massage starts from the back and ends with the feet. For such procedures, they turn to a professional, the further state of the child's health depends on the actions of the parents. Procedures are performed according to the recommendations:

It is important to remember that X-shaped legs are treated additionally with the right shoes. Today, distinctive orthopedic shoes are produced that allow for the prevention of X-shaped legs, preventing the development of flat feet. As a rule, such shoes for children are produced with high heels and comfortable insoles.

A balanced diet is recognized as an important factor in treatment, if the child is malnourished, the growing body does not accumulate the necessary vitamins to strengthen the bones, the work done will be useless. Food necessarily includes calcium, which is included in dairy products, eggs and fish, phosphorus, which is found in legumes. Sunbathing is required to strengthen the body.

Treatment with physiotherapy exercises

Treatment requires a lot of time and effort, it is not necessary to conduct therapeutic exercises for children in the gym, it is permissible to perform at home. It is more useful to carry out movements in a playful way, so that the baby will not soon get tired of exercising. For many children, pedaling on a bicycle is considered a favorite activity. If the parents purchased children bicycle Be sure to take a walk in the park. Constantly performing cycling exercises, the muscles of the legs will begin to grow stronger.

Swimming is considered an excellent tool for aligning X-shaped legs, when the child is offered to swim like a frog.

To strengthen the legs, a set of exercises has been developed to help restore muscles and ligaments:


These exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the child. If the muscles are strengthened, it will be possible to get rid of crooked legs faster, the child will begin to move freely without experiencing discomfort.

Prevention of crooked legs

Prevention and treatment of crooked legs necessarily takes place in the complex. To prevent the disease from developing, it is required to provide the child proper nutrition, it is important to start performing the exercises described in the article in advance. If it is minimal, you definitely need to track the defect, it is better to immediately contact an orthopedist.

Some parents make a big mistake by stimulating a child to go from an early age. This is dangerous, the bones of a little man have not yet formed, a large load on them leads to curvature. Doctors advise once a month to apply coniferous-salt baths. To make the child sleep well, a little chamomile is added.

You should be careful when choosing clothes for a small child, avoid tight, restricting movement. The same applies to shoes. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to allow the child to walk more barefoot, on grass or sand. If the parents with the baby decided to go to the sea, try to have the baby knead the legs with sea pebbles, walk on the pebbles. Remember, quality treatment depends solely on the parents, the little man is not able to be responsible for his own actions, the responsibility for the health of the baby rests with the parents.

Smooth legs are the standard of beauty, so many women and men dream of correcting the shape of their lower limbs. People with crooked legs are ashamed of their shortcoming and try to hide it with clothes, correcting the defect will help get rid of the complexes and become liberated.

But before you start correcting crooked legs, you need to figure out if there really is a problem, if you definitely have crooked legs and what to do if so. In most cases, a small external defect is the norm, which does not need to be corrected in any way, and it seems to the patient that the deformity is severe.

To determine if a person's legs are even, it is necessary to stand in front of the mirror straight so that the heels are connected. Normally, heels, knees, shins in the middle part will touch. If the shins are in contact, and the heels are separated, then an X-shaped deformation is observed, and if the heels are connected, but the rest of the parts do not touch, they speak of an O-shaped deformation.

True curvature is usually associated with deformation of the bones and joints, but there is such a thing as a false curvature of the legs. In the latter case, the patient's bones and joints may be in perfect condition, but the cosmetic defect is still present. The reason for this is the asymmetric arrangement of muscles and subcutaneous fat.

False deformity is more favorable for the patient, since it is possible to get rid of it by a conservative method. It is enough just to follow a diet and do exercises to strengthen the legs, then the fat will go away, and the muscles will even out, the legs will become toned and even.

Causes

Crooked legs in men and women are quite a serious problem, so many patients are interested in how to fix crooked legs and why they are deformed at all. First, consider the causes of curvature of the legs:

  • Violation in the formation of bones and joints in childhood;
  • Wrong and tight swaddling in infancy;
  • Cerebral palsy;
  • Excess body weight can lead to curvature even in adults.

False asymmetry can be provoked by incorrect load distribution. If a person carries a bag every day in the same hand or on his shoulder, constantly sleeps on his side, stands leaning on one limb, in the end the muscles on one side will become stronger than on the other. This moment is very important when training in gym, you need to perform all exercises symmetrically, with an equal number of repetitions for each leg.

Treatment

It is possible to cure the true curvature of the legs conservatively, in which the deformation of the joints occurred, only at the age of 14 years, while the bones are still growing and forming. But patients are still interested in what to do if they have crooked legs. In adulthood, there are only two options, either to go for an operation to correct the curvature, or to hide the defect under clothing.

Consider a few tips on how to hide crooked legs under clothes:

  • For girls, there is an easy way to hide crooked legs - long skirts and floor-length dresses. It is not recommended to wear mini-skirts and models of medium length, they emphasize the defect.
  • If there is a deformation of the legs, it is not recommended to wear skinny trousers, leggings and breeches. In this case, classic wide trousers are well suited, and striped clothing visually distorts and does not perfect legs.
  • You can wear capris, but only wide at the bottom. But it is worth remembering that capri pants visually shorten the legs, so they are not suitable for short girls and women.
  • Pants with vertical stripes strongly emphasize the curvature of the legs, so they should be discarded.
  • Girls need to use tight and plain tights, models with a bright print will make an unnecessary emphasis on the legs.
  • Tall girls with crooked legs are not recommended to wear high heels.

In childhood, while the legs are still being formed, they can be easily corrected, you just need to contact a specialist in time. The baby will be assigned to wear orthopedic shoes, take vitamins, perform physiotherapy exercises, attend massage and physiotherapy. As a result, the legs will continue to grow properly, and there will be no problems in adulthood.

With false curvature of the legs associated with the asymmetry of the muscles and overweight, conservative treatment is indicated. The patient needs to perform a set of exercises to strengthen the legs, as well as lose weight, observing proper nutrition.

Exercise examples:

  • Daily running at a slow or medium pace, at least 20 minutes;
  • Exercise bike and scissors;
  • Lunges forward and to the side;
  • Squats;
  • Swing your legs up and to the side;
  • Stretching exercises for the thighs and calves.

Particularly effective in gym with an instructor, he will help you choose a set of effective exercises on simulators. It is immediately worth noting that training must be regular, otherwise there will be no effect.

It is also very important to train the whole body, do not forget about the back, arms, buttocks. You should not do exercises for the same muscle group every day, such training is not effective, since the muscles need time to recover.

Exercise (video)

Operation

If weight loss and exercise do not help to cope with crooked legs, then there is only one way out - surgery. Such a procedure is carried out using the Ilizarov apparatus, for this, special knitting needles made of medical steel are introduced into the limb and the apparatus is installed on them.

After installing the spokes, an artificial bone fracture is performed - osteotomy. On the 5th day after the operation, the doctor begins to correct the shape of the legs with the help of the apparatus, taking into account the existing norms and the wishes of the person. This method is very accurate, it allows you to make your legs perfectly even.

After the device straightens its legs, it is fixed in the correct position for a period of at least a month. At this time, the bones are fused in the desired position. The patient can already move normally with the device on his feet, he does not experience pain.

When the bones fuse together, the doctor makes a diagnosis using X-rays to find out if the bone tissue has recovered well. If everything is normal, the device is removed, and the patient is prescribed to perform therapeutic exercises to strengthen muscles. It should be noted that recovery occurs faster in those patients who moved during the fixation period.

Complications

The duration of the patient's recovery after surgery is an average of 2 months, if there are no complications. The operation to correct the shape of the legs is not as safe as it seems at first glance, it can provoke serious complications:

  • Infections in the wound, which force repeated operations and removal of the device. This can occur if the patient has chronic inflammatory processes in the body, any, even caries. Therefore, before the operation, you need to take tests and cure all inflammation. Poor postoperative wound care can also provoke infection.
  • Hematomas and edema, which occur when the integrity of the vessels is violated.
  • Loss of sensation in the legs due to nerve damage.
  • Adverse reactions to anesthesia. To avoid them, it is necessary to make sure that the patient does not have severe work impairments. internal organs and individual response to drugs.

The operation to correct the curvature of the legs is a serious and expensive procedure, so the patient needs to think several times before going for it. It is possible that simple exercises and diet will improve the condition, and no operation will be needed at all.

In addition to classification, Dr. Artemiev introduced such terms and concepts as ideal legs, their true and false curvature.


What do these concepts mean, how to fix crooked legs at home? How to define your form? Find out the answers right now.

The beauty of the legs is a concept that everyone builds on a personal aesthetic perception. Just beautiful, that's all, you say. But it turns out that there are ideal legs, and their shape is calculated mathematically.

They should reach a length of up to 55% of your height, it is also necessary to observe certain proportions between body height and the volume of the hips and ankles. But the main thing is the rule of a straight line: if you draw an imaginary straight line from the middle of the thigh through closed knees and ankles, then three gaps will be visible along the smooth inner contour of the limb: from the crotch to the knee joints, under the knees brought together to the calves and from the calf muscles to the ankles. You have perfect legs. But nature has not endowed everyone with such. Anthropometric cosmetology is engaged in the correction of such defects.

The legs of many men and women have curvature, different in severity and divided into two types - false and true. What is it and what is their fundamental difference?

1. True


Such a curvature is the result of anatomical features or deformation of the skeletal bones of the thigh and lower leg. In this case, the lower limbs form an arc, as it were. The cause of true, that is, bone curvature, is most often hereditary genes or diseases transferred at a young age, such as rickets, or metabolic disorders.

Such curvature is a disproportionate distribution of the soft tissues of the thigh and lower leg with an even, defect-free position of the skeletal bones. We can say that false curvature is the appearance of curvature in its real absence.

True curvature is divided into two types:

O-shaped, or varus


People who have such a bone deformity are said to have wheeled legs or like a football player. Wherever the discrepancy begins - from the level of the thigh or the area below the knee, all the same, in the end, the shape of the legs will look like the letter "O". Of the three ideal points of contact, the knees will “fall out” - they do not close with such a deformation.

X-shaped, or valgus

In this case, the knees, on the contrary, close tightly, but the ankles cannot come together. As a result, the shape of the lower limbs resembles the letter "X" and such people are said to have "X" legs.

We offer a simple verification mini-test:

  1. Stand straight in front of the mirror, bend one limb and observe the kneecap of the straight supporting leg. If it is shifted inward - you have an O-shaped deformation, outwardly - an X-shaped one.
  2. Put your hands on your belt, do a simple squat at a slow pace. Watch your knees: with an O-shaped curvature, they tend to the sides, with an X-shaped curvature, they want to connect, if the legs are even, they bend parallel to the feet.

An x-ray will help to finally put an end to this issue. She will not be deceived by false curvature - in the picture, the axis of the leg, no matter what impression the disproportionately distributed muscles make, will be straight.

It is impossible not to say that the distortion of the lower extremities is not only a problem of aesthetics. It can harm the legs and back. But today, almost any curvature lends itself to straightening and alignment - it can be carried out independently or using special techniques.

Peculiarity! There are cases when valgus and varus refer to false curvature. As a result of age-related changes or ligament injuries, joints not fastened by them can become loose, as a result, the knees stop closing. On your own, it can be difficult to figure out why the shape of your legs is distorted, and to distinguish between false curvature and true curvature.

False curvature - what to do to win?

We emphasize right away that false deformity of the legs is not a pathology. It does not cause harm to physical health, but is only an aesthetic defect. This means that we are quite capable of correcting the curvature of the legs without surgery.


How to correct and correct the true curvature? We will start the correction with the correct physical activity. The result, depending on the degree of deformation, can be seen in six months or a year, and even completely get rid of the defect. But time and effort will not be wasted - your body will improve and strengthen in general, you will look and feel much better. And the proposed complexes can be performed not only in the gym, but even on your own at home.

How to make the legs even with this type of defect? The impact should be aimed at strengthening the adductor muscles, as well as the inner surface of the thigh and lower leg. So, we present you exercises for crooked legs at home.

  1. Walking on the inner arches of the foot and on the heels with outward looking socks, lifting on the toes and other exercises for the calf muscles.
  2. Running or walking up stairs, lifting up on your toes with each step. Can be replaced by "Stepping on the bench."
  3. Squats: as deep as possible with knees brought together, the second type is the ballet "Plie". The legs are spread as wide as possible, the socks look in different directions, the emphasis during movement is on the inner surface of the thigh. Read more about all types of squats here.
  4. Leg swings to the side from a standing position - free or with sports rubber.
  5. Raises of straight legs: one leg lying on its side, alternately from a sitting position with support on the hands behind
  6. "Scissors" vertical and horizontal or "Bicycle".
  7. Lunges. Move the weight of the body to the heel of the working limb, lifting from the lunge - without a jerk with tension in the buttocks, not the knee.
  8. Breeding. Feet - shoulder-width apart, bring your knees closer and apart without tearing off the entire surface of your feet from the floor.
  9. Cross "twine". Not only straightens, but also lengthens the limbs.

Classes must be held three times a week, every other day. Walking takes 5-10 minutes, with the connection of hands can be considered a warm-up. Each exercise is 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions.

To correct the O-shaped curvature of the legs, it is useful to practice speed skating, ballet and swimming. Also look at the video how to straighten your legs with exercises:

Below you can see photos of o-shaped types in women before and after training:

The abductor muscles of the outer surface of the thigh are subject to study.

  1. Walking on the outer arches of the foot.
  2. The so-called "Walking on your knees" and other exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knees.
  3. Weighting is gradually increased from session to session.
  4. Swing the leg to the side with the toe pulled over - from a position with emphasis on the knees and elbows, lying on your side or standing.
  5. Side lunges. The step to the side should be wide, arms extended in front of you, heels do not come off the floor.
  6. Squats - regular or with the ball sandwiched between the knees.
  7. Static exercise "Stool against the wall."
  8. Abduction of the knee. Standing on one leg, pull the second knee higher and turn it as far back as possible for you (such an element can be seen in ballet). Do it in turn for each limb.
  9. Turkish squat. In this position, press on your knees, bringing them as close to the floor as possible. Do the same, slightly changing the position and connecting the soles together.
  10. Lying on your stomach, connect the soles, and spread your knees apart. Hold for at least 3 minutes, gradually bring the time up to 10-15 minutes.

Such exercises are also performed 3 times during the week, for each exercise - 3 sets of 12-15 reps.

Sports that will benefit those with X-shaped legs are yoga, breaststroke swimming, equestrianism and cycling.

In the above complexes, the load is directed to the target muscles and, in combination with stretching, can increase the volume of the calves, correct the hips and shape of the legs.

We present you a photo of x-shaped legs in women before and after exercises:


Important! Most effective exercise to add volume to the calves - lifts on the toe. For building muscle mass you need to do not 50 or more repetitions, but 12-15 in three approaches, preferably with an additional weight of 10-20 kg until a slight burning sensation in the muscles during the last repetitions. Remember to stretch, keep your knees slightly bent during the exercise, and position your feet correctly with your toes in or out, depending on the problem.

True curvature - 5 ways to correct

Unlike the false curvature of the legs, where efforts to eliminate it must be directed to work with muscles and fat deposits, the true one is skeletal deformity. And here we need more effective methods, with the involvement of medical specialists. What is proposed for this today?

There are two options for orthopedic surgery:

1. Surgical intervention with the installation of the Ilizarov apparatus on the bones of the lower leg

10 days after installation, the process of bone correction begins, which consists in a compression effect on the bone by regularly tightening the nuts for 1.5-2 months.

Application is recommended not earlier than 14 years of age. After removing the device, active physical activity is excluded for 4-6 weeks. This method can be called traditional, but, according to experts, its application gives the maximum result.

2. An operation in a plastic surgery clinic called cruroplasty.

It can be carried out according to two methods - installation on the shin area, in the calf muscle area, corrective silicone implants of the required shape and size, and lipofilling, when a volume is formed on the same leg area from fat cells pumped out from the patient's abdomen. The operation lasts an hour and a half, rehabilitation takes 1.5-2 months. The disadvantages include the fact that over time, the implants can move on their own, distorting the shape of the leg, as well as a ban on sports.

As an independent measure of influence, massage to correct the curvature of the legs is effective only for children under the age of three.

It can help adult patients only if the key to the problem with the limbs lies in the back area, and an experienced chiropractor undertook to eliminate the defect.

But still the massage remains an auxiliary measure it is not able to completely eliminate the deformation of the bones.

The principle of operation is the horizontal extension of the column of the spine and legs.

At regular classes gradually relieves spasms and tension in the bones and joints, restores blood circulation, lengthens the limbs.

This device consists of three belts adjustable in length, which grab the legs in three places.

In this position, you should perform a number of exercises described in the instructions.

It will help provide a few little tricks.

  • Overlays.

Skin-colored silicone correctors will help to visually correct the curvature and create the appearance of an increase in the volume of the calves. They must be attached directly to the limb - with inside, in the region of the calf muscle. After that, you can wear tight tights or tight jeans.

  • Proper clothing.

To hide crooked legs with clothes, your wardrobe needs straight classic trousers or jeans, straight-cut breeches, skirts or maxi or midi length dresses - flared and puffy godets, boots with a free shaft and over the knee boots to wear with shorts or a short skirt.

Check out the photos below before and after correcting the true curvature with various methods:

If you have embarked on the path of correcting the false curvature of the legs, try to say goodbye to a few bad habits:

  • sleep on stomach after all, in such a position the spine does not rest and a difference in the length of the limbs can form, but it is often quite insignificant. The effect of constantly sleeping on your stomach is the same as carrying a bag on one shoulder;
  • cross your legs while sitting and cross your legs while standing;
  • walk in high heels which keeps the muscles tense. The result is a deterioration in blood circulation and lymph flow, pain and swelling in the limbs, the development of varicose veins and the formation of cellulite.

Step by step - to the feet of your dreams.

Much that is a tragedy for us is perceived by others as something insignificant or even imperceptible. Spectacular nice legs is every girl's dream. But there are no such people who would not have their own special beauty at all. Learn how to correctly place accents in your appearance, be an interesting conversationalist and, of course, do not leave your dream of having beautiful legs. Even women after forty can correct defects. Go to it step by step, achieve your goal using our advice and recommendations - and you sure everything will work out!

Such a phenomenon as X-shaped legs in a child is considered a pathology that occurs quite often. The reasons for such deformation may appear during the period of intrauterine development, but may also arise at the stage of the beginning of independent movements. Of course, it will not affect human health, but the presence of such a noticeable external defect can create many everyday problems. The problem is typical for a child of 2 years old, and it is at this age (possibly earlier) that it is worth starting active treatment, while the skeletal and muscular system is still at the development stage. At an early age, the defect can be corrected by conservative treatment.

The concept of X-shaped legs in children (valgus curvature) implies a pathological deformity, when a child standing straight with legs brought together at the knees has a gap between the heels of at least 50 mm. In this case, the shape of the legs (from the sole to the thigh) resembles a classic hourglass. This deformity can be congenital or acquired, with the latter mechanism being more often fixed. The most noticeable defect in the legs in children under the age of 2-3 years. As they grow older, the curvature, as a rule, smooths out or disappears altogether.

In adults, the angle of deviation of the lower leg is considered normal up to 6 - 7 ° in men and up to 8 - 9 ° in women. If there is a greater displacement, we can talk about the fact that a person has X-shaped legs with pathological deformity.

Why is the X-shaped form considered a pathology requiring treatment? Such curvature of the legs leads to a violation of the load distribution from own weight on the articular elements of the tibia, overload of the knee joints, as a result of which gonarthrosis develops already in young years. Improper positioning of the limbs causes chronic muscle strain when walking or standing. It causes an appropriate posture and provokes flat feet. Finally, the defect is very noticeable visually, which leads to psychological problems, and sometimes neurological abnormalities.

It should also be noted the possibility of manifestation of the so-called false deformation. Outwardly, the child has a valgus deformity, but it is not associated with a violation of bone tissue. The curvature occurs due to certain features of the placement of soft tissues. Treatment of such a defect is not carried out, and it gradually eliminates itself.

Congenital X-shaped curvature of the legs in a child is due to an abnormal process of ossification of the external condyle of the femur. A defective leg in a child is noticeable immediately after birth: in a normal newborn child, the O-shaped shape of the legs should be fixed. Almost always, a congenital type of defect is found in parallel with the deformity of the femoral neck and flat feet.

A more common type of anomaly is considered to be acquired X-deformity. The baby's legs begin to bend when trying to get up and move on their own. In this case, there are significant loads on the joints, and they and their bone elements are still very weak. Particularly dangerous in this regard is an unnecessarily early start of walking, without proper coordination on the part of the parents. Instinctively, the baby spreads its legs wide to maintain balance, which creates an excessive load on fragile joints.

An aggravating factor can be excessive body weight of the child. If its weight is normal, then a greater risk of the appearance of an X-shaped form occurs in weak, thin children. They, as a rule, have a weaker musculoskeletal apparatus, which causes deformation. It should be noted that in girls the acquired X-shaped curvature appears more often than in boys. This is due to the physiology of the structure of the pelvis, and the curvature is more significant in the presence of a shortened femur with a wide pelvis.

Some diseases can also cause pathological deformation. This is most typical of rickets. In addition, the weakening of the bone structure occurs with kidney diseases that disrupt calcium metabolism, and other diseases leading to the removal of calcium from bone tissue.

Usually considered curvature implies pathology in both limbs, i.e. bilateral deformation. However, in rare cases, a unilateral anomaly is noted, which concerns the curvature of only one leg in a child. The etiology of such defects is associated with fractures within the joint of the condyles of the tibia and femur, areas of compression-type metaphyses, and a diaphyseal femur and tibia with angular displacement. This type of deformation can also be generated by congenital factors:

  • hip dysplasia and congenital hip dislocation;
  • hypoplasia of the tibia;
  • improper formation of the knee joint;
  • tumor formations in cartilage and bone tissue.

Valgus curvature is noticeable visually, which facilitates diagnosis. The child develops an awkward, unsteady gait. Small ones can be disturbing pain in the legs, muscle cramps. The baby gets tired quickly when moving. If signs of pathology are found, then it is necessary to control the dynamics of the change in the defect. If there is a tendency to reduce the curvature, the treatment process should not be overly intensified.

Prolonged presence of stable X-deformation can cause serious violations. In particular, abnormal changes in the knee joint, foot, and even the spinal column may occur. In the knee joint, a gradual stretching of the collateral ligaments occurs, which leads to its instability and lateral deformation. Radiography indicates uneven joint space, beveling of the external bone condyles. Congenital pathology on an x-ray appears as a blurry contour of the ossified area of ​​​​the external condyles.

On the feet of a child with X-shaped legs, flat feet form, which aggravates the overall picture, adding problems with walking. The arches of the foot are flattened, which is confirmed by the results of plantography and the Friedland index. With uneven damage to the limbs (one leg is curved more than the other), the child's body deviates from the vertical axis, which violates posture and provokes scoliosis.

In the case when the deformation is not pronounced, special treatment is not carried out, but observation by a pediatric orthopedist is recommended. With a pronounced pathological curvature of the legs, conservative therapy is necessary. It includes massage, exercise, wearing orthopedic shoes, physiotherapy. If the pathology has a significant deviation from the norm, then the doctor can install special devices (orthoses, splints).

An important role is given to therapeutic massage, which should be entrusted to a specialist. He is tasked with strengthening the muscles of the thighs and lower leg in the inner area, as well as muscle relaxation from the outside. Useful stimulation muscular system waist, buttocks, back. Massage sessions begin with procedures lasting 12 - 15 minutes, gradually increasing to 30 - 35 minutes.

  • the lumbar region is massaged with movements from the spinal column to the sides and down;
  • the gluteal zone is processed in a circular motion;
  • hips by rear surface stroked in the direction from the popliteal fossa outward and upward;
  • back region of the lower leg - movements go from the ankle to the knee;
  • the knee is massaged circularly from the outside;
  • the foot is affected in the back area, starting with the toes and moving towards the ankle.

Additionally, such types of massage are used as kneading, rubbing, pinching, patting. It is important that the procedure does not cause pain in the child.

Treatment of deformity with certain physical exercises gives a noticeable positive effect with regular training and right choice exercise therapy. Recommended for a child simple exercises reminiscent of games:

  1. Turkish sultan: taking the lotus position, i.e. squatting with knees apart and feet together.
  2. Crow's feet: flexion and extension of the ankle joint. It can be performed simultaneously on both limbs or alternately.
  3. Bicycle: in the supine position are carried out circular motions feet.
  4. Bear: walking with rolling from side to side. The load is distributed to outer surface Feet.
  5. Monkey: grasping small objects with toes.
  6. Heron: moving, standing on toes.
  7. Horse: imitation of the movement on a horse, sitting on the parent's knee.
  8. Acrobat: walking along a drawn line, placing the feet as close together as possible.

Physiotherapy treatment is prescribed for significant stable deformities. The most commonly used electrical stimulation is by applying electrical impulses of adjustable duration. This procedure activates muscle activity improves blood supply to the limbs.

Diet therapy is also an element of the complex treatment of pathology. Calcium and phosphorus are needed to strengthen bones. These trace elements must be delivered with food. Of the foods rich in calcium, the following can be noted: dairy products, fish and seafood, eggs. A large amount of phosphorus is present in meat, nuts, legumes. Vitamin D ensures the effective use of these trace elements.

Deformity in the form of an X-shaped curvature of the legs is found in babies aged 2-3 years very often. In many cases, such a defect is eliminated on its own, but this pathology must be controlled. If the deformation of the legs of a pathological nature is not eliminated in early childhood, then in an adult it will result in big problems associated with various articular pathologies.

X-shaped curvature of the legs is not only an aesthetic nuisance, but also a violation of the health of the legs (especially the feet and joints), as well as posture and gait. There are problems with balance, stability when walking, legs get tired, joints and feet hurt, there are cramps, there is a high probability of flat feet. A physiological gait “from the hip” is practically impossible, since a person with X-shaped legs has to move his legs not in a straight line, but in a circle, as if bypassing the other leg due to an obstacle in the area of ​​​​the knee joints. A shuffling gait is formed. In addition, with X-shaped legs, trousers wear out due to friction of the inner surfaces of the thighs and shoes are trampled inside. Walking with worn shoes inside looks ugly, especially if a woman wears shoes with heels. This defect, of course, must be corrected not only to restore the health and beauty of the legs, but also for the overall health of the body. Therapeutic exercises for X-shaped curvature of the legs is a mandatory treatment.
An essential condition for successful treatment is an examination by an orthopedist or surgeon, since the curvature of the legs does not happen in isolation, it is necessary to find out what other problems with the musculoskeletal system exist. This will determine an individual approach both in exercise therapy and in therapeutic massage and other activities (orthopedic insoles, posture corrector). For example, it may be that one leg is bent more than the other, and scoliosis is formed, it is clear that in this case the treatment is selected strictly individually.

The main reasons for the formation of X-shaped curvature of the legs.

1. Early start of the child's walking.

2. Rickets (lack of vitamin D). 3. Violation of calcium metabolism. 4. Muscle weakness. 5. Longitudinal or mixed flat feet. 6. Heredity. 7. Valgus deformity of the knee joint. 8. Injuries and diseases of the joints of the legs. 9. Overweight.

With an X-shaped curvature of the legs, the inner surfaces of the thighs are brought together, the knees are in contact, and the shins are apart, the feet are at least 5 cm apart from each other, there is an incorrect setting of the feet: a person walks on the inner arch of the feet, which are also in the position of abduction in sides, flat feet occur; lumbar lordosis increases compensatory due to pain in the legs and back, posture is disturbed more often by the type of a round-concave back.

The muscles that perform the following functions are weakened: 1. Supination of the foot (setting the foot on the outer arch) - anterior and posterior tibial and extensor longus thumb, 2. Plantar flexion of the foot - muscles located on the posterior and lateral surface of the lower leg (triceps tibia, long flexor of the fingers, posterior tibial, long and short peroneal muscles). 3. Adduction of the foot (towards the thumb) - these are muscles located on the anterior-inner surface of the lower leg, both peroneal. 4. Pronation of the lower leg - flexors from the inside: semitendinosus, semimembranosus, tailoring, tender, gastrocnemius, 5. Gluteal muscles. 6. Abduction and adduction of the thigh (it is necessary to strengthen all the muscles of the thighs).

tense muscles ( increased tone) carrying out

1. pronation of the foot (positioning on the internal arch) - both peroneal, located on the lateral surface of the lower leg, 2. abduction of the foot (towards the little finger) - both peroneal, 3. supination of the lower leg (two-headed thigh, gastrocnemius), 4. lumbar muscles.

When correcting the x-shaped curvature of the legs, it must be taken into account that knee-joint also deformed. When straightening the x-shaped legs, the ligaments of the knees are stretched in the lateral part of the knee joints. Inaccurate exercise can damage the ligaments of the knee joints. That's why exercises for X-shaped curvature of the legs should be performed smoothly, with elements of gentle springiness.

Must be included in a set of exercises for x-shaped curvature of the legs exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles, back, hips, buttocks. It is necessary to train balance and posture. Highly recommended exercise bike barefoot (socks), recreational swimming, walking on pebbles or ribbed surfaces to strengthen the muscles of the legs and feet. At the same time, constant self-control is needed: strive to walk on the outer sides of the feet, slightly turn the toes of the feet inward and take the knees to the sides. I recommend limiting the vertical load on the knee joints until all the muscles of the legs are strengthened, since the weakened muscles are not able to hold the bones and joints in the correct position. Do not jump or run. Eliminate standing exercises with legs wide apart. Let's define tasks Exercise therapy for X-shaped curvature of the legs. 1. Strengthen the strength of the muscles of flexion, adduction and supination of the feet, flexion of the toes, thigh muscles, gluteal muscles, back, lumbar muscle corset. 2. Stretch and relax tense muscles in the legs and lower back. 3. Form the correct posture.

1). Starting position - lying on your back, arms along the body, legs straightened.

1 - Hands through the sides move along the floor up to the head, the feet unbend (toward themselves), stretch the heels down, inhale. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 - Alternately stretch each heel down, stretching the back surfaces of the legs, the Achilles tendon and lower back, focus on the outer sides of the feet and the outer surfaces of the knee joints. 8 - Return to initial position. 3 times.

2). Starting position - lying on your back, raise your head and upper part body, leaning on the elbows, legs straightened and slightly apart, look at the feet.

1 - Press the left foot with the plantar part just above the knee joint to the right thigh, moving the knee of the left leg to the side, preferably to the floor. 2 - Turn the right foot inward, trying to reach the floor with the thumb, the foot is rounded, acquiring the appearance of a clubfoot foot. 3 - Keeping this position of the legs, stretch outside feet and heels down. Stretching should be done very slowly, smoothly, as cramps in the lower leg and foot may occur. 4 - Return to starting position. Do the same with the other leg. 5 times with each leg.

3). Starting position - lying on your back, arms along the body, legs straightened.

1 - Press the right foot with the plantar part to the ankle. 2, 3 - With a sliding movement, move the foot along the inner surface of the left leg up, trying to press the foot harder to the leg and move the knee to the side as much as possible. The right foot at the same time acquires the position of a clubfoot foot. 4 - Return to the starting position. Do the same on the other side. 8 - 10 times.

4). Starting position - sitting on the floor, bend your legs as much as possible at the knee joints, take your knees to the sides to the floor, connect the soles of the feet, trying to put the feet on the outer surface of the feet as much as possible. The feet press firmly against each other with the outer sides and toes. Put the brushes on the floor in front of the feet.

1 - Slowly move the hands forward, straightening and stretching the arms forward, lower the head down and put the forehead on the floor in front of the feet (optional). Lie down in this position for several seconds, relaxing the muscles of the body and legs, except for the feet, which press against each other with the outer sides of the feet. 2 - Return to starting position. 3 times.

5). Starting position - lying on your back, legs bent at the knees at an angle of 90 degrees and resting with your feet against the wall with your toes inward (toes to each other), your knees are laid to the sides as far as possible, your arms are straightened up and lie on the floor near your head.

1, 2, 3 - Raise your arms and stretch them to your feet with springy movements, raising your head and upper shoulder girdle as high as possible. 4 - Return to starting position. Until the fatigue of the muscles of the abdomen and legs. * There may be cramps in the legs, the exercise should be done gently, smoothly.

6). Starting position - lying on your back, legs straightened and laid apart wider than shoulders, between the hips closer to the knees put a dense roller with a diameter of 10 - 15 cm,

on the lower part of the shins (closer to the feet), put on wide elastic bands attached, for example, to the legs of the table. 1 - Connect the legs, pulling the elastic bands, while the roller located between the thighs creates a condition for straightening the x-shaped curvature of the legs. 2 - Return to starting position. Until the muscles of the legs are tired. * Exercise to perform carefully, gently and smoothly, in order to prevent damage to the knee joints, focus on them. *To prevent the table legs from loosening, you can insert a wooden block between them as a spacer.

7). Starting position - lying on your back, legs straightened and shoulder-width apart, arms bent in elbow joints, brushes pointing up (toward the ceiling).

Rotate the hands and feet with full amplitude down, then up for 10 circles. Repeat again.

8). Starting position - lying on your back, legs straightened, put on a wide elastic band on the hips just above the knees.

1 - Spread your legs to the sides, stretching the elastic band, inhale. 2 - Return to the starting position, exhale. Until muscle fatigue.

9). Lying on your back, hands under your head.

Bend the legs at the knee joints, raise them, turn the feet with plantar surfaces towards each other and perform clapping with the feet (just like clapping their hands). To slight muscle fatigue.

10). Starting position - kneeling, sit on the feet, which lie with the back to the floor.

1 - With your left hand, grab the left knee and carefully raise the leg in such a position that the foot touches the floor, and the knee is raised up, at this time the back of the foot is stretched. 2 - Return to the starting position. 3, 4 - Do the same with the right leg. 3 times. * You can put your feet a little in the position of "clubfoot" to correct the setting of the feet, characteristic of the X-shaped curvature of the legs.

eleven). "Zig-Zag".

Starting position - sitting on the edge of a chair, legs together, hands holding on to the seat at the back. We rearrange the feet either to the sides, or together in a special way. 1 - Heels apart, (socks together). 2 - Move the socks so that the feet are parallel to each other ("feet straight"). 3 - We continue to rearrange the feet to the sides: heels apart. 4 - Feet straight. * So we continue to the limit, as far as you can take your legs to the sides. We return back to the starting position in this order: 1 - Turn the socks inward, 2 - Feet exactly (parallel to each other). 3 - Socks inside. 4 - Feet straight. Until the feet are closed. 4 times. * Try not to connect your knees, but spread them apart.

12). "Worms".

Starting position - sitting on the edge of a chair, hands hold on to the back of the seat, legs together. 1 - Reach forward with your toes, press your toes to the floor. 2 - Raise the heels and bring them as close as possible to the fingers, press the heels to the floor. 3 - Stretch your toes forward again, emphasis with your fingers. 4 - Move your heels towards your toes. And so on, the feet like “worms” move forward, either stretching out the fingers, or moving the heels towards them. Same in reverse order. 4 times.

13). "Boat". Starting position - lying on your stomach, straighten your arms forward, legs tightly closed, buttocks are compressed.

1 - Raise straightened arms and legs above the floor, hands pressed to the head at ear level. Stretch your spine. Hold the position for 1 minute. 2 - Return to the starting position. 1 time.

14). "Bike". Starting position - lying on your back, arms along the body or under the head, legs bent at the knees. Simulate cycling with maximum amplitude, lowering the straightened leg to the floor, until the abdominal muscles are tired.
* Try to remember the feet and knee joints all the time, you need to develop the habit of consciously giving the feet the position of "clubfoot" and strive to correct the x-shaped shape of the legs.

15). "Breaststroke swimming".

Starting position - lying on your stomach, straightened legs tightly pressed against each other. 1 - Straighten your arms forward, head goes down, exhale. 2 - Take your arms to the sides, raise your head and upper shoulder girdle, start inhaling. 3 - Bring the arms along the body, continuing to inhale. 4 - Bend your arms, brushes are near shoulder joints, exhale. Continue without stopping smoothly, with a wide range of arm movements. 10 times.

16). Starting position - lying on your back, legs straightened, hands in the "castle" at the back of the head, elbows laid to the sides.

1 - Simultaneously connect the right elbow and left knee, exhale. 2 - Return to the starting position, inhale. 3 - Connect the left elbow and right knee, exhale. 4 - Return to the starting position, inhale. * When bending the leg at the knee joint, try to make the foot clubfoot and turn the toe inward.

17). Starting position - lying on the left side, legs straightened.

Raise and lower the right leg 20-30 times. Turn to the right side and repeat the movements with the left leg. * Leg weights can be used. Diversify this exercise by drawing circles with a straightened leg in one direction and the other. 18). Lying on the left side, legs straightened. 1, 2 - With the right foot (plantar surface) slide up and down the left shin, trying to press it as hard as possible to the shin; the knee of the right leg should be taken up (toward the ceiling). 3, 4 - Return to the starting position. 10-20 times. Do the same lying on the right side.

19). Starting position - lying on your stomach, arms bent at the elbows, lie in front of you, the head lies on the hands, legs are straightened and tightly pressed to each other.

1 - Raise closed legs above the floor and push them apart, inhale. 2 - Put your legs apart, relax, exhale. 3 - Raise the spread legs and close them, inhale. 4 - Lower closed legs, relax, exhale. 10 times.

20). Starting position - sitting on the edge of the chair, legs apart shoulder-width apart, hands resting on the back of the seat.

1 - Bend your toes. 2 - Place the feet with bent toes on the outer sides of the feet. 3 - Turn the toes of the feet inward. 4 - Return to the starting position, relax the feet. 10 - 12 times.

21). "Big circles with legs."
Sitting on the edge of a chair, lean your hands behind you, connect your feet with the plantar sides, take your knees to the sides. Raising your legs in this position, draw circles with your feet forward (away from you) and in the opposite direction (towards yourself) with a large amplitude. 10 laps in each direction.

22). Starting position - standing, legs together, focusing on the outer sides of the feet.
Rolling from heels to toes and back. 10 times.

23). Starting position - standing, hands on the belt, feet on outside.

Walking on the outer sides of the feet in place. 30 times. *Concentrate on the knee joints, strive to consciously correct the x-shape of the legs.

24). "Sit Turkish" Starting position - sitting on the floor, you can put a dense flat pillow, cross your legs in Turkish.

1 - Put the right foot on top of the left, turning the right foot with the plantar part up. Put the right hand on the right knee, and the left hand on the right foot. 2 - Straighten your back, and stretch the top of your head up, stretching your spine. Sit like this for a while (a few seconds), enjoying the pleasant sensations in the spine. 3, 4 - Do the same, putting on top left leg. * So you can sit, for example, while watching TV. Get up from this position, cross-legged and leaning on the outer sides of the feet.

Big leg circles.

Readers often ask about the basic exercises in order to keep the set of exercises as short as possible.
I will highlight exercises #6, 21 and 23. It is impossible to shorten the remedial gymnastics if you want to achieve a good result. Each exercise has its own role. It will be easier if you memorize a set of exercises with X-shaped legs by heart, then the time to complete it will be slightly reduced.

There are different opinions about wearing orthopedic insoles for flat feet and x-shaped legs. I recommend that you trust only your attending physician - an orthopedist, who examined you and has a complete picture of your body, knows the cause of the curvature of the legs, individual characteristics, heredity, and so on. Tell your doctor all your doubts. Treatment of leg defects should be strictly individual for each patient. This applies to massage, and to therapeutic exercises, and to the selection of orthopedic devices. Massage you will do in courses, and therapeutic exercises for x-shaped curvature of the legs you need every day. Moreover, you need to accustom yourself to control your posture, gait and positioning of your legs and feet at the level of automatism all the time; exercises for x-shaped curvature of the legs. Gradually, experience and a positive result will appear.
And it remains for me to wish you determination, optimism and good health.

Often, babies who have barely reached 2 years old are diagnosed with x-shaped legs. Even 25-35 years ago, such a problem was not so acute, either due to its absence as such, or due to the fact that infants were not sent for a systematic examination by an orthopedist. Often, many mothers suddenly find out that their child has one or another deformity of the lower extremities. What can be done about this and how to fix x-shaped legs in a child?

Normal is the shape of the lower extremities, in which you can draw an imaginary straight line passing from the head of the femur of the hip joint through the middle of the patella and the gap between the first and second toes of the foot. Deviation in one direction or another is considered anomalous. It could be:

  1. Valgus deformity implies that the legs, brought together at the knees, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe feet have a distance of more than 5 cm, that is, it is an x-shape. If we consider the legs completely, their silhouette resembles an hourglass or the letter X.
  2. Varus deformity is an O-shaped curvature of the legs. In this case, the pathology affects the middle part of the lower leg, which deviates outward, and the knee joints cannot be connected to each other. As a result, the knees develop unevenly. There is a compression of the meniscus and expansion of the joint space from the inside and outside.

These pathologies can be:

  • congenital;
  • acquired;
  • physiological.

Immediately after birth, children most often have an O-shaped deformity of the legs. Further, as they grow, the legs gradually align. However, during the period of the beginning of walking, excess weight, lack of developed muscles and other factors can lead to the appearance of one form or another of the curvature of the legs. The most common age for the development of the disease in a child is 2-4 years.

If the problem was not corrected in time, in adulthood, the constant incorrect distribution of the load on the knees and ankle provokes the curvature of these joints and the development of knee gonarthrosis, which is a deforming non-inflammatory arthrosis. All this significantly worsens the quality of human life. Moreover, women are more prone to these diseases.

Initial changes in hallux valgus begin in the knee joints - the internal condyles grow faster than the external ones, and the joint space is narrow on the outside and wide on the inside. As a result, the ligaments that provide knee stability are overstretched on the inside. Such a deformation of the legs in profile is noticeable by bending at the knees.

The development of the process does not end there, as early as a year old, the crumbs can experience a flat-valgus change in the feet, that is, flat feet with the heels deviating outward. Then an unsteady gait develops, the baby often stumbles and falls, and also complains of tired legs. Without treatment, curvature of the spine gradually develops.

Reasons include the following:

  1. Early onset of walking. The baby, who is just starting to stand on his feet, gradually trains his muscles. Crawling also plays an important role here, which helps in their formation and strengthening of the ligaments. If the baby missed this phase of development, the load may be excessive, so the weak legs are bent. Orthopedists emphasize the negative role of children's jumpers and walkers, which are designed to relieve the load from the legs of infants. However, there is no load - no training.
  2. Big weight. Breastfed babies often have a body weight that is higher than the average. However, depriving them of food will not work, the only option is to reduce the fat content of the diet of the woman herself. You can adjust the nutrition of children on artificial feeding or on complementary foods. For weight loss, vegetable purees are recommended, rather than cereal cereals.
  3. Congenital weakness of the musculoskeletal system. To some extent, heredity may play a role. If children have an asthenic body type, they are characterized by thinness and underdeveloped muscles. Another problem is any disease that causes this pathology.
  4. Diseases associated with disorders of calcium metabolism, which provoke a decrease in bone strength. It could be kidney disease or rickets.
  5. hereditary predisposition. If one of the parents has X-legs, it is likely that the baby after birth will have a similar deviation. However, the vast majority of newborns have an O-shaped curvature.
  6. Congenital malformations - dysplasia of one or both hip joints, dislocation of the hip, underdevelopment of the knee joints and others. Subsequently, unilateral deformity of the lower leg may also develop here.
  7. Intra-articular fractures and injuries.
  8. Benign and malignant tumors of bone and cartilage tissue of the lower extremities.

According to statistics, girls have strength anatomical structure pelvic bones are more likely to have legs X, and in boys - O-shaped.

By the way, the doctor can diagnose a false x-shaped deformity of the legs. Unlike the true one, an external defect is observed due to the location of the muscles and body fat, and treatment is not required.

If a baby at 2 years old quickly gets tired while walking, does not want to walk with legs, has an unsteady gait and often falls out of the blue, it is worth seeing an orthopedist and undergoing appropriate treatment. In principle, parents themselves can see that when the knees touch, the child's ankles do not close. You can measure the distance between the feet of 4-5 cm using a ruler.

Postponing a visit to the doctor and thinking that everything will go away on its own is not worth it, since the development of the process can affect not only the ligaments of the knees, but also the ankle joints, and even the spine. After an external examination and measurements, the orthopedist will ask the baby to walk barefoot on the floor. In this case, it will become clear whether there is a flat-valgus installation of the feet. The presence of flat-valgus changes in the feet is clearly seen on plantography. This may be a visual, ink or computer model of the study. In the latter option, the plantar part of the feet is scanned at rest and under conditions of functional load. The computer will calculate the morphological parameters and give a report on what type of flat feet is observed - longitudinal, transverse or mixed.

For diagnosis, radiography of the knee joints is used. The picture can be used to judge the unevenness of the joint space. In addition, X-shaped legs in children have more developed internal condyles, and external ones have a bevel. If the valgus curvature is inherited, the X-ray will show blurry edges of the ossified parts of the external condyles.

After the diagnosis is made, the correction of the pathology comes to the fore. Children up to 3-4 years old are well suited for massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises. How older child, the more pronounced are the consequences - uneven gait, fatigue of the legs, pain in the feet, impaired posture and curvature of the spine. In the future, an adult may experience bone changes chest and pelvis, as well as dysfunction of some organs.

X-shaped legs in a child up to one and a half years old are the physiological norm. This requires systematic observation by an orthopedist. In order not to miss the initial stage of the disease. by the most in a simple way correction is considered therapeutic massage. Give preference only to experienced massage therapists, otherwise the procedure may not be beneficial, but harmful. Usually a course of 12-15 sessions is carried out, followed by a break for 2 months and a repeat. During the year, massage in combination with physiotherapy is carried out on average 4 times. This type massage involves strengthening the muscles on the inside of the lower leg and relaxing the overstressed external ligaments. The procedure affects the buttocks, back, feet, front and back of the lower extremities. It is important that the movements of the massage therapist bring joy to the baby, not pain, otherwise he will not relax.

As prescribed by the doctor, the child can be referred for warming procedures using paraffin and electrophoresis with calcium chloride. Very important role plays wearing specially ordered orthopedic shoes with a high rigid heel and hard insoles that fight flat feet. Such shoes or boots help to form the correct setting of the foot and the normal inclination of the body. Usually, doctors advise wearing such shoes at home and on the street with a break for sleep and gymnastics.

If conservative methods fail, plaster casts, articulated orthoses, or removable splints are recommended. The period of their application ranges from 3 weeks to several months. Hyperactive children and babies with neurological abnormalities are not suitable for this type of therapy.

In severe cases, surgery is recommended. If only one leg is affected, the Ilizarov apparatus can be used for correction with simultaneous varus osteotomy of the tibia. This is especially true after suffering injuries and leg fractures. The term of correction can take from 2 months to a year. The postoperative recovery phase consists of massage, exercise therapy and physiotherapy. In the future, gymnastics is carried out to strengthen the muscular-ligamentous apparatus and fully restore the range of motion.

Treatment of hallux valgus is a very long process, sometimes it requires years of effort and perseverance from children and parents. Among other things, it is supposed to correct the baby's lifestyle:

  1. Make sure that the child does not stand with his legs wide apart, as this position increases the deviation of the knee joints inward. A more advantageous position is with tightly closed legs.
  2. Children with X-shaped legs need frequent rest during active games or for a walk. No wonder the kids in kindergarten often put on a bench "as a punishment for disobedience".
  3. It is advisable to attend specialized sports clubs, dances, go swimming or enroll a child in an orthopedic preschool institution, where they will conduct daily physical therapy and massage courses.

At home, it is advisable to do a simple set of exercises every day:

  1. To correct the valgus curvature of the legs in children, walking on the board in the spirit of “there is a goby swinging ...” is excellent. Another time, you can play circus and walk on a rope laid on the floor, like a real tightrope walker.
  2. Squats with knees apart and cycling help develop the right muscle groups.
  3. Play the game "bear clubfoot walks through the forest." Spread toys on the carpet, and then walk on the outside of the foot and collect items.
  4. Turkish sitting can be varied with various additional games. Roll a ball to each other, sitting in this position, or portray an oriental fakir conjuring snakes.
  5. It is useful if at home there is an opportunity to build a Swedish wall, a ladder, a trapezoid and hang a rope. In addition to weight loss, exercise stress strengthens the muscles and ligaments of the legs, knees and feet.
  6. Let the child walk barefoot on sand, grass and pebbles during the summer holidays. These exercises help treat flat feet.

A 1.5-2 year old baby is more receptive to the treatment of X-shaped legs, subject to a persistent and patient approach to the procedures. In the vast majority, getting rid of pathology takes from 2 to 7 years, but you still should not give up. Valgus curvature of the lower extremities is not a cosmetic defect. Subsequently, it can provoke a whole range of skeletal disorders, including the development of arthrosis of the knees and feet. Proper Exercises, the balance of active play and rest, wearing orthopedic shoes and systematic monitoring by an orthopedist will protect the child from unpleasant consequences at an older age.

X-shaped legs in children

X-shaped legs in children are considered a pathology, which is characterized by deformation of the legs in any position, especially the change is noticeable in a standing position. If the legs are straightened and brought together, the distance between the heels can reach five centimeters or more.

It happens that a defect is acquired by a person during life, pathology can also be congenital.

Young mothers must remember that the skeleton of a child is formed up to two years, during this period the legs take on a different shape. It is especially important to follow the first steps of the baby. The movements are unstable, often the legs take the shape of the letter O or X. When the child becomes confident on the legs, the defect disappears on its own, without requiring treatment. If by the age of two the X-shaped form has become pronounced, it is imperative to consult a doctor for help. An experienced doctor will prescribe a treatment that eliminates the defect by the age of 5. It happens that the curvature is expressed on the one hand, this indicates the possibility of a hereditary factor affecting the health of the child.

The cause is heredity or other factors. Parents are obliged to show attention to the child, avoiding the further spread of the disease. Close attention is required when the baby begins to move independently. Deformation is able to begin to develop, the reasons are hidden in:

  1. If there is a strong load on the lower limbs, in such a case, for the purpose of prevention, parents should ensure that the child temporarily moves with support. It is possible to use a walker, wait for the final strengthening of the legs.
  2. The reason is improperly selected shoes, you need to carefully choose shoes for the baby, shoes, shoes should not crush.
  3. For selected children at a young age, overweight is characteristic. To prevent this, you need to make the right diet for the baby, try to make the child's lifestyle mobile.
  4. The help of a doctor is required when the child lacks calcium and vitamin D. In the cases mentioned, there is no strength in the legs, the limbs take on an X-shaped form.

You will need to contact the doctor for help, increasing the chances of the child to get back on his feet normally and lead a normal life.

First of all, parents should remember: x - shaped legs will not align on their own, you will definitely have to make an appointment with an orthopedist, the doctor will help to avoid a defect in the future. After the doctor conducts a complete examination, making an accurate diagnosis, the children are prescribed individual treatment.

Treatment and recovery take a lot of time, sometimes treatment takes more than a year. Remember, the sooner help is provided, the sooner the child will get back on his feet.

Massage is often used as the main method of treatment. The session lasts at least 25 minutes during the month, not only the muscles of the legs are massaged, the massage starts from the back and ends with the feet. For such procedures, they turn to a professional, the further state of the child's health depends on the actions of the parents. Procedures are performed according to the recommendations:

  1. It is shown to start the massage from the back, the child needs to be placed on the stomach, arms straightened along the body. Massage begins with warming up the body, it is enough to lightly stroke the skin and muscles, rub and slightly knead, then proceed to circular massaging, ending with a repetition of strokes.
  2. Then the massage of the lumbosacral region begins. The body of the child is not fully formed, all movements are provided as accurate as possible.

It is important to remember that X-shaped legs are treated additionally with the right shoes. Today, distinctive orthopedic shoes are produced that allow for the prevention of X-shaped legs, preventing the development of flat feet. As a rule, such shoes for children are produced with high heels and comfortable insoles.

A balanced diet is recognized as an important factor in treatment, if the child is malnourished, the growing body does not accumulate the necessary vitamins to strengthen the bones, the work done will be useless. Food necessarily includes calcium, which is included in dairy products, eggs and fish, phosphorus, which is found in legumes. Sunbathing is required to strengthen the body.

Treatment requires a lot of time and effort, it is not necessary to conduct therapeutic exercises for children in the gym, it is permissible to perform at home. It is more useful to carry out movements in a playful way, so that the baby will not soon get tired of exercising. For many children, pedaling on a bicycle is considered a favorite activity. If parents bought a children's bike, be sure to take it for a walk in the park. Constantly performing cycling exercises, the muscles of the legs will begin to grow stronger.

Swimming is considered an excellent tool for aligning X-shaped legs, when the child is offered to swim like a frog.

To strengthen the legs, a set of exercises has been developed to help restore muscles and ligaments:

  1. Exercises related to various types walk. For example, the "bear" is considered a favorite exercise for children.

These exercises are aimed at strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the child. If the muscles are strengthened, it will be possible to get rid of crooked legs faster, the child will begin to move freely without experiencing discomfort.

Prevention and treatment of crooked legs necessarily takes place in the complex. In order for the disease not to develop, it is necessary to provide the child with proper nutrition, it is important in advance to start performing the exercises described in the article. If the curvature of the legs is minimal, it is imperative to track the defect, it is better to immediately contact an orthopedist.

Some parents make a big mistake by stimulating a child to go from an early age. This is dangerous, the bones of a little man have not yet formed, a large load on them leads to curvature. Doctors advise once a month to apply coniferous-salt baths. To make the child sleep well, a little chamomile is added.

You should be careful when choosing clothes for a small child, avoid tight, restricting movement. The same applies to shoes. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to allow the child to walk more barefoot, on grass or sand. If the parents with the baby decided to go to the sea, try to have the baby knead the legs with sea pebbles, walk on the pebbles. Remember, quality treatment depends solely on the parents, the little man is not able to be responsible for his own actions, the responsibility for the health of the baby rests with the parents.

As soon as the baby begins to walk, parents should pay attention to his posture and gait, since it is at this time that the prevention of scoliosis and flat feet should begin. Often, young children walk with their knees together, which should not be too disturbing, but if after a few months the gait has not improved, then a visit to the doctor is simply necessary.

The baby should be placed evenly and asked to connect the legs together. If the knees converge, and the legs diverge towards the bottom - between the ankles 5 cm or more, then we can judge the presence of hallux valgus deformity. The problem can be corrected, but parents will need to closely engage in treatment.

The following are the main causes of hallux valgus, or, simply put, why the rebec has X legs.

  • Rickets is a lack of vitamin D, which causes disorders in the growth and development of bones, followed by their curvature. Often, calcium enters the body in the right amount, but is not fully absorbed without the effects of vitamin D. Then the bones begin to soften, and the muscular system also weakens.
  • Excess weight is an additional load on a fragile musculoskeletal system.
  • Insufficient development of the femoral head or its dislocation, which happens during childbirth.
  • Early standing and walking with holding on to the handles, when the child is not yet ready to take the first steps on his own.
  • Genetic predisposition - the hereditary shape of the legs.
  • Frequent planting of the baby in jumpers or walkers for a long time.
  • Incorrectly selected shoes, due to which a certain gait is formed and the curvature of the legs appears. For a child, starting from the 1st year of life, it is necessary to purchase new (but not to wear for siblings) shoes with an elastic hard back, a wide small heel and in size.
  • Smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy provokes not only joint dysplasia, but also other pathologies.

In addition to a not very aesthetic gait, the X-shaped curvature of the legs provokes problems with the spine, as well as pain in the limbs, fatigue, lack of mobility, pathological changes in the joints, and flat feet.

Both legs will not necessarily be X in a child, only one limb can be deformed, then the body deviates from the vertical position to the side and the baby has scoliosis.

Treatment methods for hallux valgus

The main question that parents ask if a child has X legs is how to correct this condition. In addition to visiting the orthopedic doctor (or until you choose the time for this visit), the following methods can be applied:

  1. Taking vitamin D. It is advisable to start giving it to a child in the first year of life, which will prevent rickets.
  2. Purchasing orthopedic shoes that will firmly hold the foot in the correct position and will not lead to the formation of x-shaped legs.
  3. Massage - a course once every three months. The specialist massages not only the child's legs, but also the gluteal and dorsal muscles, which strengthens the entire musculoskeletal system. It is desirable that parents also master the techniques of massage and conduct it at home.
  4. Physiotherapy. Electrical stimulation - the impact on the muscles of the legs through long-term pulses of electric current. The procedure helps to improve blood circulation, stimulates the work of muscles and their motor activity.
  5. Stay in the sun. The rays of the sun supply vitamin D to the child's body.
  6. Exercise therapy - exercises are useful for every child.

Physical culture and sports:

A small child is active in itself, so parents only need to encourage him to play outdoor games with friends, jump and run.

  • For home use, you should purchase a sports corner with a rope, wall bars, bars, and other accessories, as well as a large ball.
  • Riding a bicycle will provide the ligaments with the necessary load, from which the curvature of the legs will gradually level out.
  • Pool - at least three times a week. The instructor must teach the child to swim like a frog.

If “X-legs” in a child at 3 years old

If the valgus deformity of the leg in a child does not improve by the age of three, despite active treatment, then plaster bandages are applied, which will help:

  • stretch the lateral ligaments of the knee joints;
  • straighten your legs and reduce pressure on the bone tissue;
  • minimize pressure on the tibia of the femur, which will allow the knee to form correctly.

Wearing a cast can be delayed for a long time, perhaps even for several years, depending on the degree of curvature.

If you do not treat hallux valgus while the child is small, then after 10 years it will be difficult to correct the situation, but possible. In severe cases, surgical intervention is prescribed.

Prevention of the X-shaped curvature of the child's legs begins even in the womb, therefore, during pregnancy, proper nutrition and long walks in the fresh air are so important. Besides, breast-feeding preferably for children under one year old, but subject to good nutrition of the woman.

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Valgus deformity of the knee joints in children Komarovsky, Valgus deformity of the knee joints in children Komarovsky

How to cure an x-shaped curvature of the legs in a child

Legs with an x-shaped curvature is a fairly common pathology in children of the first year of life and older. And contrary to the popular belief that crooked legs are heredity, most often this phenomenon is still acquired, so it is necessary to take timely measures to correct this problem.

Usually, the curvature of the legs in a child is noticed when he begins to walk. To facilitate standing and walking, the baby places the legs too wide, while bringing the knees together. And if this happens too early, when the ligamentous-muscular apparatus is not yet well formed and not ready for walking, then the knee may lose its stability, because the main load falls on the knee joint.

How to determine the x-shaped curvature of the legs in a child?

To check your child's legs for curvature, you need to stand him upright and put his legs together. If the knees and ankles do not converge, or rather, the distance between the inner ankles with the knees pressed against each other is 4-5 cm, we can talk about an x-shaped deformity of the legs, which is also called hallux valgus. The legs with 3 gaps are considered ideal when closing the ankles, shins and knees.

Causes of leg deformity in a child

The main cause of curvature of the legs in a baby is most often a disease such as rickets, which develops as a result of a deficiency in the intake of vitamin D. It is because of rickets that bone growth is disturbed and their subsequent curvature occurs. Even with sufficient intake of foods containing calcium, without vitamin D, the body does not absorb them. As a result, in the future, the bones soften, the muscles weaken and cannot normally support the bone corset.

Also, the curvature of the child's legs is due to congenital underdevelopment of the femoral head, or its dislocation during childbirth, trauma to the knee joints, early attempts to put the child on his feet and the urge to walk, excessive planting of the baby in walkers and jumpers. A significant role is also played by the presence of excess weight in a child, which lies like a burden on fragile children's legs.

You should not treat this problem as purely cosmetic, because it will not fix itself. In addition to the curvature of the legs, problems with the setting of the foot may begin in the future. After all, the stronger the deformation of the legs, the stronger the pressure on the lower leg and ankle joints. And the wrong setting of the legs provokes a curvature of the spine, which is fraught with problems for life. Therefore, the correction of this pathology must be addressed as soon as possible, while it is still possible to correct.

Best results are achieved if treatment is started before the age of 3 years, while the child's bones are still growing and body structure is changing. Up to 5-7 years, it is still possible to fix the problem. But in adolescence, when the skeletal formation is already completed, it will be too late to act.

How to cure x-shaped legs in a child?

Solving the problem requires an integrated approach. It is necessary to start active treatment as soon as a child has a disease, because, as mentioned above, the younger the child, the more elastic its tissues and it will be easier to correct the pathology. To eradicate the problem usually begins with the fight against rickets. Children under 3 years of age, after tests confirming a deficiency of vitamin D in the body, are prescribed an aqueous or oily solution of vitamin D, which will have to be used in an increased dosage (the number of drops can only be prescribed by a doctor).

What can parents do? First, you need to carefully monitor the nutrition of the baby, since excess weight affects physical development. Choose the right diet for your child, rich in calcium and vitamins, depending on the age of the child. Make sure that your child walks in anatomically correct shoes (with a high, moderately hard back, fixing the heel, a small heel, pressed by the foot with an arch support). If the problem with the legs is very pronounced, the orthopedist may prescribe special orthopedic shoes or corrective insoles.

Try to get your child to avoid standing for long periods of time, especially if their legs are wide apart. It is harmful to stand like this, because it increases the deviation of the knees inward, and the feet outward. Make sure that the child stands more with closed legs when the weight of the body passes through the middle of the knee joint to the outer edge of the foot, whose purpose is to bear the entire weight of the body. Avoid jumping on any soft surface - trampolines, furniture, ball pool.

Very useful to work on wall bars, ladder, swim and ride a bike or balance bike. Skates, scooters, roller skates are not recommended. It will be useful to seat the baby on a chair in such a way that its back is in front of the child, and the legs are spread wide apart. This pose perfectly strengthens the muscles of the legs. In the summer, walk your child barefoot more often on grass, pebbles, sand, orthopedic massage mats, and any uneven surface. It will not be superfluous to do a little gymnastics with the child (read below about exercises with an x-shaped curvature of the legs).

The rest must be left to the experts. To eliminate the curvature of the legs, it is necessary to undergo professional therapeutic massage procedures 4-5 times a year, which includes massage of the back, lower back, buttocks and legs. However, you can carry out a simple restorative massage for your child on your own. If the orthopedist simultaneously puts the child on both flat-valgus deformity of the feet and x-shaped legs, physiotherapy is usually prescribed, namely electrical stimulation. Physiotherapy improves blood circulation, stimulates muscle contraction and improves motor abilities.

Massage with x-shaped legs in a child

The correct functioning of the knee and ankle joints depends on the state in which the muscles surrounding them are located. With the help of massage and specially selected gymnastics, weakened muscles can be tightened, and those in tension can be relaxed. Therapeutic massage is carried out in courses of sessions daily or every other day with a gradual increase in load and intensity. When performing exercises, the child should not have negative emotions, so avoid sudden movements.

For all manipulations, the initial position of the child is lying on his stomach. A roller must be placed under the lower leg. At the beginning and end of the session, conduct a general stroking of the body. Massage starts from top to bottom, so first you need to massage the back of the child.

1. Back massage includes stroking, kneading, rubbing with fingertips, sawing. After each dynamic reception, stroking on the massaged area must be carried out several times.

Lumbar region of the back. stroking from the spine to the sides and down, vigorous rubbing, kneading with elements of pressure and shifting.

Gluto-sacral region of the back. circular strokes, x-shaped strokes, kneading, rubbing with the back of the fingers, mild but tonic percussion techniques (light patting, tapping with fingers).

2. Massage the back of the thighs. stroking from the popliteal fossa outwards and upwards, kneading, intensive rubbing, light percussion techniques (patting, chopping)

3. Massage the back of the leg. stroking from the Achilles tendon to the popliteal fossa, kneading all muscle groups, alternate rubbing (the outer surface of the lower leg must be rubbed gently, the inner - vigorously). Percussion techniques are used on the inner surface of the lower leg, and vibration techniques along with stretching are used on the outer surface.

4. Massage of the knee joint area. stroking the lateral surface of the joint, light rubbing, gentle pressure on the inner surface of the joint. In this case, it is necessary to hold the lower third of the lower leg with one hand, and with the other, slightly press on the internal condyle, as shown in the figure.

5. Massage of the Achilles tendon begins with light strokes and then rubbing with pinching elements.

6. Massage the front of the thighs. the child should lie on his back with a cushion under his knees. First, stroking is carried out, then light kneading and then again stroking from the knee up and out.

7. Massage of the anterior lateral surface of the legs includes light stroking from the feet to the knees and rubbing.

8. Massage of the knee joint: stroking in a circle, rubbing the lateral surface of the knee, slight pressure on the inner condyle and bringing the lower leg, as shown in the figure.

9. Foot massage. stroking the back of the foot from the toes to the ankle joints, rubbing. Around the ankles, stroking and rubbing is also applied, but on the inner edges of the feet it should be done more vigorously.

Gymnastics with x-shaped legs in a child

After the massage session, you must perform special gymnastics. For the legs, exercises should be done every day, slowly increasing the load. For other muscle groups, gymnastics is best done from a sitting position. Also try to play with your child in such games, which would minimize the load on the knee and ankle joints.

Exercises include:

1. Careful rotation of the feet in different directions.

2. Flexion and extension of the ankle joints.

3. Exercise with the legs "bike".

4. Sitting in Turkish and lotus positions (make it a habit to put your child in these positions as often as possible).

5. Rise from the “Turkish” pose: the sitting little one needs to stand up with support on the outer surfaces of the feet. You must help him by taking his hands. repeating this exercise, change the child's legs so that the other leg is already on top.

6. Lifting straight legs from a lying position on the side as high as possible.

7. Squats with knees out to the sides. Holding the child by the arms or under the armpits, teach him to squat, while spreading his knees to the sides as wide as possible. In this case, the feet should fully rest on the floor and stand parallel.

8. Squats with an object clamped in the knees.

9. Capturing an object with the feet (you can invite the child to grab a toy, ball or any other object with the legs).

10. Walking on the outside of the feet (like a clumsy bear).

11. Tiptoe walking.

12. Walking on the path. Try to teach the child to walk and stand, while placing the feet as close to each other as possible. Walking along a narrow path (it can be drawn with chalk), logs, sidewalks can help with this. Also pay attention to the correct setting of the feet while walking with the baby.

13. Walking on an orthopedic rug with an uneven surface.

14. Walking with an object clamped in the knees (ball, toy).

15. Imitation of riding a horse (you can use the knee of an adult instead of a horse).

If your child is still too young to do this kind of gymnastics on his own, turn the classes into a game. For example, Aladdin from a fairy tale often sat in the lotus position, a bear walks on the outer arch of the foot, a circus performer or an acrobat can run across a thin path. Use your imagination, do the exercises yourself, and let the baby repeat them after you.

To track the dynamics of the disease, you need to visit your orthopedist every 3 months. Usually, the problem can be dealt with after a year or two of intensive training.

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Parents perceive the first steps of a child as a very joyful family event. But it can be overshadowed by the identification of such an orthopedic pathology as valgus deformity of the feet. This disturbance usually becomes apparent just in time for the start of walking and after some time. A well-known pediatrician and author of books about children's health Evgeny Komarovsky.

Valgus in medicine is such a deformity of the feet, in which they are in a cruciform position with respect to each other, reminiscent of the Latin X. Most often, the pathology becomes noticeable when the child tries to step on the legs and take the first steps - the pathology is expressed in the fact that when walking leans on the baby inner part feet.

It is extremely difficult for such a baby to take steps - he quickly gets tired, sometimes he experiences pain, the steps themselves are shaky and uncertain. Orthopedists describe this condition in terms of the processes occurring in the feet - the toes and heels are turned outward, the middle part of the foot is somewhat lowered. If the legs are straightened and pressed against each other in the knee region, the distance between the bones of the ankles will be more than 3-4 centimeters. If at the same time the height of the arch of the foot is significantly reduced, then orthopedists will already say that the child has flat-valgus feet. Valgus flatfoot is considered the most common diagnosis in pediatric orthopedics.

This curvature of the feet, there are two types: congenital and physiological (acquired). In the first case, the legs are bent even during the period of intrauterine development of the fetus under the influence of certain factors that medicine does not yet know much about. Congenital pathologies of the foot are usually quite severe, and it is possible to see them in the first 2-3 months of the child's independent life.

Acquired deformity is often associated with errors in the development and functioning of the musculoskeletal system, ligaments, tendons. It is these violations that become apparent closer to the age of one. At risk are crumbs with weakened muscles, premature babies suffering from rickets, who have had frequent and severe viral infections in the first year of life. The legs are at risk of bending in obese children, since the load on the lower limbs with excess weight is very significant.

Sometimes parents themselves are to blame for the occurrence of pathology. So, too early setting the baby on his feet may well “start” the mechanism of foot deformity, and insufficient load on the foot, walking exclusively on a flat floor can cause acquired flat feet or flat-valgus foot.

Flat feet scare parents no less. However, Komarovsky advises not to panic, because absolutely all children have flat feet from birth, this is a feature of babies. The arch of the foot will form gradually, as the load on the legs grows, and everything is in the hands of the parents, with the exception of congenital flat feet, which can only be corrected surgically.

There are four main degrees of valgus disease according to the severity of the defect and the severity of the course:

  • First degree. The angle of deviation from the norm does not exceed 15 degrees. Pathology lends itself well to correction by conservative methods.
  • Second degree. Deviation angle - no more than 20 degrees. This condition is also successfully treated with exercises, massage and physiotherapy.
  • Third degree. Deviation angle - no more than 30 degrees. The pathology is difficult to correct, the treatment is long, but with due patience and perseverance on the part of parents and doctors, the prognosis is very favorable.
  • Fourth degree. The angle of deviation from normal values ​​is more than 30 degrees. With the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, a surgical operation is prescribed.

Flat feet also have several degrees, which are similarly classified according to the degree of deviation of the arch of the foot from the norm. As in the case of hallux valgus, the first and second degrees of ordinary flat feet are treated quite simply and quickly enough. The third and fourth will be more difficult.

The diagnosis is made by an orthopedic doctor. This is done on the basis of a visual examination and additional studies assigned, which include radiography of the feet, computer plantography, podometry. If such studies are not prescribed, and the doctor makes an appropriate diagnosis for you, you should consult another doctor. Quite often, small patients with confirmed valgus pathology are advised to visit a neurologist to rule out problems with the peripheral and central nervous systems.

As soon as the causes that underlie the modification of the feet are identified, the doctor will establish the type of lesion by etiology:

  • Static deformation. Such a problem is detected if incorrect posture is involved in the curvature.
  • Structural deformation. Curvature of the feet, which has congenital causes. As a rule, the talus with such a deformity is located incorrectly with a deviation in one direction or another.
  • compensatory deformation. If a child has a shortened Achilles tendon, beveled legs, the foot will deform functionally when walking.
  • corrective deformation. Such a curvature occurs if the child was treated completely incorrectly or was not treated at all with the usual clubfoot.
  • Spastic nerve deformity. The reason for this curvature is the malfunctioning of the cerebral cortex, which often results in spasms of the limbs.
  • paralytic deformity. Usually it is a consequence of encephalitis transferred at an early age or complicated poliomyelitis.
  • Rachitic deformity. Occurs with rickets.
  • Consequences of trauma. Ligament ruptures, fractures of the bones of the foot, ankle, injuries of the hip and hip joint can lead to pathology.

When diagnosing flat feet, the same techniques and research methods are used.

Finally, the child's foot is formed only by the age of 12, so many problems found by specialists and the parents themselves at a more tender age can and should be corrected right up to this moment, says Dr. Komarovsky.

Usually, the treatment of both flat feet and valgus curvature is aimed at strengthening the ligamentous apparatus, the muscles of the foot, and forming an arch. For this, foot baths, therapeutic massage, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, swimming, and physiotherapy exercises are prescribed. In case of congenital pathology, the lower limbs are immobilized with the help of plaster. In the absence of the desired effect of all these measures, the child may be recommended surgical intervention.

X-shaped legs or wheeled legs, although not as common, can be seen in some children under the age of 2-3 years. In any case, it is clear that this is not the norm. Some of the parents take this calmly, thinking that this is temporary and will fix itself, someone immediately sounds the alarm.

To understand how serious the problem is, you need to understand its nature and causes of occurrence, as well as find out what consequences it is fraught with. After that, it is already possible to decide whether it is worth exposing the child to any procedures and additional loads, or, indeed, there is nothing wrong with crooked legs and over time they will straighten naturally.

This is the scientific name for the deformation of the knee joint, as a result of which the legs of a child of 2 years old do not become straight and even, but acquire the shape of the letter X. Any mother can independently diagnose such a pathology. It is enough to put the baby straight and connecting the heels.

If there are no deviations, then the legs will touch each other at three points: at the knees, mid-calf and ankles. With hallux valgus, the child will not be able to connect the ankles - there will be a gap of 4-5 cm (or even more) between them, while the knees will be tightly closed. If the baby still manages to put the ankles together, then his knees will go behind each other.

There may be several reasons:

  • rickets;
  • congenital deformity of the pelvic ring;
  • flat feet;
  • past trauma;
  • infections;
  • inflammatory process;
  • too early attempts of the baby to move in an upright position.

Rickets is the most common cause of curvature of the legs (and any) in children of the first years of life. It is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the body, so do not think that this disease is a thing of the past. Today it is just as relevant, especially in the autumn-winter period.

The fact is that we get vitamin D directly from sunlight. And if a child is born in autumn or winter, it is not surprising that he is deprived of the most valuable substance. With a lack of vitamin D, the bones become soft and the knee joints are deformed.

Children who tend to get up and walk on their own too early are at risk of forming x-shaped legs. In this case, the rule “the sooner the better” is inappropriate. There is a time for everything, and when the baby starts walking too early (even in a walker), the fragile legs become deformed. If at the same time the child is overweight, the problem is exacerbated.

It is widely believed that curvature of the legs is a purely hereditary disease and therefore not treatable. Yes, with a hereditary predisposition, it is very difficult to correct the curvature of the legs and most often it is possible only by surgery. But such a cause is rare, and most cases still do not have a hereditary factor.

The various diseases listed in the list are also individual and single. These are the least likely causes of curvature of the legs in children.

Not all parents are wondering what complications the x-shaped legs of a child are fraught with. And if it is also a boy, many believe that, unlike a girl, beauty is not necessary for him. However, if you look, the matter turns out to be much more serious than an unaesthetic appearance.

With hallux valgus, the load is incorrectly distributed to all joints of the lower extremities. This leads to the occurrence of flat-valgus deformity of the feet, when the correct setting of the foot is also violated. In the future - curvature of the spine and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Moreover, pain in the legs will make itself felt not in old age, but much earlier - already in the senior school age. Therefore, the question of whether any action should be taken becomes irrelevant. We need it, and as soon as possible!

Early age is a definite advantage. How less baby years, the easier it will be to correct the situation. While the body is only being formed, it is easier to help it.

An adult person has to rely only on surgical intervention. Surgery is rarely prescribed for children, in those extreme cases when complex treatment does not work and when the child has reached the age of 7 years.

You can fix the situation, but you will have to make an effort. The timing of treatment plays an important role. As we have said, if you deal with the problem before 3 years, when the child’s bones are just being formed, the chances of success are greatest. 7 years is the last age when you can still bring the legs back to normal by conservative methods.

Treatment for hallux valgus should be comprehensive and versatile. Parents first of all need to contact a doctor who will give a referral for an examination. Based on the results of the tests, the doctor prescribes a solution of vitamin D (water or oil). When the disease is already developing, an increased dosage is prescribed.

In addition to the drug taken orally, plaster casts on the knee joints are used up to 2.5-3 years. The essence of this method is to reduce the load on the bones, which will grow faster, and gradually the legs will align. In the case of using plaster casts, you should tune in to the duration of treatment - at least 1.5-2 years.

good auxiliary means is an orthopedic shoe. It clearly fixes the foot and ankle joint, thus providing correct position feet.

Be sure to make an appointment for massage and physiotherapy, recommendations are given for special exercise and diet, as well as tips for additional things parents can do at home. After all, in order to fight the disease, you even have to change your lifestyle.

It is recommended to take it for 4 or more courses a year and trust only a specialist, since we are talking about treatment, not prevention. However, there are techniques that parents can learn on their own and do in addition to therapeutic massage.

The main task is to strengthen the muscles of the thighs and lower legs from the inside, and relax the muscles from the outside. In addition, you also need to work on the muscles of the back, lower back and buttocks.

The first sessions should last minutes. Gradually, the duration can be increased to 30 minutes, but no more.

The main technique is stroking:

  • lower back - from the spine to the sides and down;
  • buttocks - in a circular motion;
  • the back of the thighs - from the popliteal fossa outward and upward;
  • back surface of the lower leg - from the ankle joint to the popliteal fossa;
  • patella - round;
  • anterior lateral surface of the lower leg - from the feet to the knees;
  • stop - on the back side from the fingers to the ankle joint.

Light pats, kneading, rubbing, tingling are also allowed.

It is desirable to perform exercises after the massage, but if you return to them several times during the day, the benefits will be obvious. Exercises will help to correct the irregular shape of the child's legs, in which the load on the outer edge of the foot increases, and on the knee and ankle joints it decreases.

So that the baby does not refuse therapeutic gymnastics, you can interest him by turning classes into a game:

  1. "Turkish Sultan" This is an ordinary “lotus” pose or its simplified version - spreading the knees and connecting the feet.
  2. "Crow's feet". Simultaneous or alternate bending and extension of the ankle joints.
  3. "Bike". A well-known exercise when, lying on your back, you need to rotate your legs, simulating cycling.
  4. "Clumsy Bear". Walk, waddling, with a preponderance on the outer side of the feet.
  5. "Monkey". With the help of the toes, you need to grab some objects. If you perform the exercise while sitting on the floor, you can do grabs with two feet.
  6. "Heron". Tiptoe walking.
  7. "Circus Acrobat" You need to walk straight along a narrow path, a curb or just a drawn line. The main thing is that at the same time the child puts his feet as close to each other as possible.
  8. "Horse". If the child does not have a toy horse on which he can ride and swing, you can imitate riding, for example, on an adult's knee.

Even if you devote a little time to exercises, in combination with other types of treatment, they will give good result. And the game moment will give the child a lot of pleasure and make you want to return to fun activities again and again.

Electrical stimulation is prescribed when valgus deformity of the knee joints is complicated by planovalgus deformity of the feet. electrical impulses stimulated for different durations physical activity muscles and improves blood circulation in the lower extremities. Muscle contraction alternates with small pauses during which the muscles relax.

This type of treatment is contraindicated if the child has open wounds or colds.

It should be noted that the child's diet should be given great attention in any case, since nutrition is the basis of health. If the curvature of the legs is already observed, then it is necessary to draw up a special diet.

The most important elements for correct formation bones are calcium and phosphorus. It is their lack that leads to deformation of bones and joints.

Calcium is found in all natural dairy products, eggs and fish. Phosphorus - in meat food, milk, nuts and legumes. And vitamin D, about which we have already written so much above, just helps to assimilate these two beneficial substances.

It is necessary to ensure that the baby's diet is enriched with calcium and phosphorus. All of the listed products should be present in the children's menu every day. And so that the child does not get bored with monotonous food, you can make many variations. For example, add honey, berries or dried fruits to kefir and cottage cheese, and take turns using different ways cooking (stewing, baking, steaming, boiling).

Experts say that up to 2 years, a slight curvature of the legs is observed in many children and is not a pathology. However, even if the child's legs are even, it's a good idea to think about prevention, which at the same time will strengthen the whole body.

In addition to a balanced diet, it is necessary to ensure that the weight of the baby is normal. Extra pounds can cause not only problems with the musculoskeletal system, but also have a bad effect on overall development.

When a child begins to walk, you need to take care of good shoes. The heel should be high and sufficiently rigid, fixing the foot, a slight elevation is required on the insole to prevent flat feet.

It will not be useful for a child to stand motionless for a long time, especially with legs wide apart. But to move actively - on the contrary. Wall bars, running, jumping, cycling and especially swimming are the only sports that harmoniously develop all muscle groups and normalize the work of all internal organs.

It is better to beware of skates, roller skates and jumping on trampolines and other soft surfaces. Such types physical activity not very helpful. But you can walk barefoot on grass, pebbles, a massage mat and any other uneven surface as much as you like.

And of course, sunbathing is good for saturating the body with vitamin D. Starting from 15 minutes a day and gradually increasing the time, avoiding drafts and overheating, in the spring you can accustom your child to the sun. Such prevention will be not only useful for physiology, but also guarantees the baby a lot of positive emotions.

Good day to all! Perhaps my comment will be useful to someone. My daughter was diagnosed at 1.7, she consulted a couple of good orthopedists and the recommendations for treating such a diagnosis are similar: exercise therapy, massage, cycling, etc. The spectacle was deplorable: the distance was about 15 cm, the gait was like on stilts, the unnatural bend of the leg when walking, the heel was displaced. Moreover, if all the recommendations are followed, then it is possible that by the age of 9-10 the legs will straighten out. At this age, a child cannot be forced to do gymnastics, but in a playful way it stretches for a whole day, and it must be done every day. In our frantic pace, it is difficult to meet all the requirements. The article correctly states that up to three years it is very easy to correct the situation!! From this I repulsed. Every day, the child herself did a foot massage before going to bed for 10 minutes. On YouTube you can find videos on how to do this or, as an option, with a massage therapist (which I did, basic exercises taken from the course). In a nutshell, after basic manipulations with the legs, I “warmed up” the bone of the leg and the patella with rubbing movements, so to speak, held the leg on the inside of the knee and pulled the lower leg straight with the other hand (a slight tension should be felt), hold for 3-4 seconds so 5-6 times. A month later, the gait has changed markedly. Now my daughter is 2.3 and her legs are almost straight, I still continue to massage, but when she sleeps, right after she falls asleep (I only do “stretching”, so to speak). It is necessary to exclude everything that gives a load on the knee joint: scooters, cars on which you need to push off with your legs, skates, skis ... And in a playful way, I ask the child to reach the spout with the tips of his toes. And in the first months, the child ran at home every day on toes during the day, also in a playful way, so there is less load on the heel. Plus, medical orthopedic shoes.

Love, thank you, take note! My girl is 2 years old, she recently noticed that her legs are X. The distance is not very large, but since I noticed I need to act.

Love, thank you!! My son is 2 years old, he has X legs, we love to jump on the trampoline and on the bed, but this, it turns out, is impossible! Today we are already sleeping, and tomorrow I will start doing such a massage!

Hello good people. I am a pediatric massage and exercise nurse. The highest category. Every 5 years I go through an improvement in my specialty on the basis of the Advanced Training School in Moscow (Konkovo ​​metro station).

The roller does not correspond to the correct treatment of the flat-valgus foot and the x-shaped position of the n / extremities. Depending on age, massage should be general or local with an emphasis on the soles of the feet, the anterior-inner surface of the legs. On these areas, all massage techniques (stroking, rubbing, kneading, intermittent vibration) are performed more intensively. We massage the lateral (external) muscle group very gently, gently, improving only the trophism, without increasing the tone. Massage of the back surface of the muscles-stimulating. Thigh massage is stimulating, the same strength from all sides.

And this video shows completely opposite, worsening the correct installation of the feet. Sorry.

Thank you for your comment! The opinion of such a specialist is very important to us. Let's find another video! Corresponding to your remark!

The topic is fully covered. Thanks to the author. Please show proper shoes for toddlers. Our teacher advised the child to put on shoes from the moment, as soon as the child began to crawl and sit down on his own! Because at any moment he will crawl to the sofa and try to get on his feet. And at this moment, the correct installation of the feet and the entire lower limb is required. Forgive me, personally, when working with children, I recommend parents to buy children's shoes "Kotofey", "first step". They correspond to the recommendation that is present in the text. Genuine leather, high solid back, heel, metal fastener, so that the baby could not unfasten and take off his shoes. For the summer, the material is also natural dzhinsovka, velveteen. The main thing is that the foot fits snugly in the shoe. Peace to you. God bless all children.

True X-shaped curvature (valgus deformity) is manifested by the presence of a distance between the feet with tightly closed knees in a free stance.

Classification of the shape of the legs (Artemyev A.A., 2001):

  1. Perfect legs;
  2. True O-shaped curvature (varus deformity);
  3. false curvature;
  4. True X-shaped curvature (valgus deformity);

Below is a video on how to fix crooked legs

This classification allows you to independently determine the shape of the legs and decide on the correction of curvature.

The "ideal" shape of the legs involves the closing of the knees, calves and feet and the presence of three gaps between them.

True X-shaped curvature is manifested by the presence of distance between the feet with tightly closed knees in a free stance. It can be conditionally considered that the deviation of the axis by 10-15° is a cosmetic problem, more than 15° - orthopedic. With a pronounced curvature, we are already talking about hallux valgus.

The shape of the legs is an ethnic sign. X-shaped curvature of the legs is more common in residents of European countries. For surgical correction, the owners of such legs turn about 10-15 times less often than about the O-shaped curvature of the legs.
It is difficult to say how often among all people there are X-foot, but men resort to the services of surgeons about 2-3 times more often than women.

An interesting observation is noteworthy: in trousers, legs with a slight hallux valgus seem straight. Straight legs, especially for thin people, in trousers seem a bit like a wheel. With severe hallux valgus, X-shaped legs, on the contrary, are not only very noticeable in trousers, but even make it difficult to wear clothes. A very common reason for seeking surgical care, especially for men, is problems in choosing model clothes.

Valgus deformity with in-depth examination is accompanied by underdevelopment of the condyles of the femur or lower leg, as well as flat feet. With age, these features can lead to the development and progression of various pathological conditions, therefore, they require the earliest possible correction.

You can be sure that we will make perfect legs in almost any case (see photo...). The point is how long this process will take. We offer three ways to correct leg varus deformity:

  • Ilizarov correction (see details below);
  • Express method;
  • Improved express method.

If you think you have a false curvature - look here.

The principle of surgical treatment is the same as for correction O-shaped legs– only the direction of displacement is directly opposite.

Appearance of a 38-year-old man with severe hallux valgus before and after correction

In the process of correction in the interests of improving the appearance, you can lengthen the legs.

Appearance and radiographs of a 56-year-old man with X-shaped legs before treatment and after correction (correction of the shape of the legs + lengthening of 4 cm).

Surgical correction of the lower leg is technically simpler and has much fewer complications than hip surgery. However, with severe valgus deformity, it is necessary to correct the nominal segment that is curved.

Radiographs of a man with post-traumatic valgus deformity of the right femur before surgery, during correction with the Ilizarov apparatus and after treatment

Considering that the principle of correction of the X-shaped curvature of the legs is the same as for the O-shaped curvature, the main features of the operation and postoperative management, as well as the cost of treatment, are the same in the treatment of both types of deformity.

At the decision-making stage and during the correction process, additional questions often arise. The answers to them are on a separate page. Here you can find out what examination you need to undergo before the operation, how to take a photo for a remote consultation and much more.

If you want to study the problem in more detail, we recommend that you refer to this book:

If you are interested in the issue under consideration, and you want to get Additional information or professional advice, call 8-909-641-36-41

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