A new discipline explores flatfoot - podiatry

December 7, 2013  14:27

Podiatry is a new direction in the medicine, and it is quite new in Armenia. Consultant physician and podiatry specialist Hasmik Aguzumtsyan told NEWS.am Medicine about the modern technologies and treatment methods.

Podiatry is a science of foot. Compared with orthopedics, podiatry pays more attention on norm, than pathology, analyzes in detail the function of different normal feet, explains different options for walking, exploring the different positions of the foot in the shoe, explores the whole range of preclinical changes in the development of foot deformation, optimizes the function of the foot in the shoe using orthoses.  Podiatry combines orthopedic foot and shoe business, investigating the problems and treatment of skin callosity and treatment of hyperkeratosis, produces its own surgical treatment of foot pathology, which differs from the orthopedic surgery, is less invasive and less radical. In fact, podiatry provides prevention of orthopedic diseases and assists at the preclinical level and thus prevents the development of severe deformities.

With the help of plantography it is possible to identify biomechanical deviations (disorders) when walking, i.e., you can see what happens in the process of human walking.  Then a 3-D scanning of foot is conducted to get an imprint, on the basis of which the model is made, and then the individual orthopedic insole, shoes and braces.

As the doctor explained, there are cases, when the disturbed walking biomechanics can be regulated just with the help of insoles. Wearing shoes with the insole ensures proper distribution of body weight on the foot, the foot is in the neutral position, and also lightens the load on the musculoskeletal system.

The human foot is formed and develops up to 5 years. During this period you need to pay special attention: is your child wearing the right shoes? The shoes must be durable, with a fixed backdrop. Sole material must be rigid and at the same time flexible enough. The heel of the child should be in a neutral position. Shoes have to match the size of your child's feet. Do not let your child wear someone else's shoes. According to the doctor, you need to buy quality, right shoes to avoid future problems that may arise in case of violation of foot biomechanics and walking.

When choosing insoles the age approach is used: for example, for adults it is primarily comfort and support. It is necessary to stop somehow the process of development of the disease, carry out a prophylaxis of arthritis and diseases of the spine, providing necessary amortization of the foot, which is reduced during the lifetime. When we speak about children of up to five years, then you can fix the disturbed biomechanics of the foot to stop the development of flatfoot. Children wearing orthopedic insoles should combine that with a set of necessary rehabilitation exercises, physiotherapy, massage. There is a wrong opinion, that children below three years do not have flatfoot. It can be congenital or acquired. The worst thing is not the pain in the feet, neither it is their deformation (bones), which is a result of cross flatfoot, but their consequences – disturbance of the entire musculoskeletal system, including the spine. The earlier the flatfoot is detected, the easier it is treated. After five years it is becoming harder. But treatment can improve the condition of the foot, to stop the development of flatfoot and conduct prevention of spinal deformation.

If there is fatigue in feet, pain in gastrocnemius muscles and bundle, this already witnesses about the first stage of flatfoot. There are varieties of flatfoot: a longitudinal, transverse, and mixed. Many people do not even suspect, that they might have flatfoot, because they look at the longitudinal arch of the foot and see that everything is in order. One can identify his/her own flatfoot only when his/her foot is spread.

Often people wear the same shoes for all occasions. The doctor advises to buy different shoes for different events, and as for the heel, then 3-5cm is the maximum height. Overweight women should not buy shoes with a high heel. Daily shoes should be support and protection for the foot.

90% of the flatfoot cases are static, i.e. developed throughout lifetime due to poor footwear, long static work, excess weight, pregnancy, etc. Flatfoot is more often in women. Men usually wear more comfortable shoes.

«The problem of foot deformation is really acute in soldiers and officers serving in the army», noted the actual problem the doctor. The everyday long physical load on the foot leads to march fractures, callosities, plantar callosity e.t.c. Army kersey boots have no certain protection for feet. Insoles designed for the military, should be three layers: the first layer absorbs moisture, which helps prevent the development of fungal infections. The second layer provides the proper distribution of weight on the foot. The third layer provides amortization function. Summing up, the doctor noted that we must always take care of our feet during our lifetime, providing maximum comfort for them; and in case of fatigue and pain in the foot, we need to see a specialist for appropriate care. 

Today, the 7th of December is the opening of the new podiatric clinic after Kumuryan in Yerevan.

Ani Liparityan


Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter


  • Related News
 
  • Video
 
 
  • Event calendar
 
 
  • Archive