Exercises for hallux valgus in children

Hallux valgus is not a rare diagnosis in childhood. Incorrect positioning of the child on the legs with the foot shifted to the inner part, the "overwhelmed" foot, which creates the illusion of X-shaped legs, can be caused by various reasons. But the methods of treatment for planovalgus deformity are used about the same. If conservative treatment is indicated, parents will have to master specialized massage and special therapeutic exercises. We will talk about how to conduct such classes, what exercises can be offered to the child in this article.

The benefits of gymnastics

Incorrect positioning of the child on deformed feet leads to an incorrect distribution of the load on the musculoskeletal system. The center of gravity shifts, the wear of the hip and knee joints increases. The spine also suffers - the posture of the child with hallux valgus is not correct, and the gait is awkward.

Valgus curvature is very often accompanied by flattening of the feet, that is, both valgus and flat feet are recorded simultaneously. Flat valgus feet necessarily require treatment and support, otherwise the child may remain disabled.

The conservative treatment scheme usually includes the wearing of orthopedic shoes, massage, exercise therapy. Gymnastics, which can be done at home, is classified as therapeutic. Each child is assigned his own complex - it depends on the degree of valgus and flat feet, on the severity and angle of deviation from the norm. But the basic exercises for all children with this diagnosis are about the same.

The benefit of gymnastics is an effective addition to massage and orthopedic effects. The task is to maximally relax the ligaments and muscles that are in tension. Gymnastics allows you to stretch these muscles and increase their elasticity. The blood circulation of the feet, ankle, and thighs improves. Gradually, the muscles take the correct position and keep the foot in its normal position. The distribution of the load on the lower extremities changes naturally.

Features:

If we consider remedial gymnastics with a hallux valgus separately, then it will be rather difficult to judge its effectiveness. The best results are usually observed when the exercise is started immediately after the preliminary foot massage. Orthopedic massage is also prescribed by a doctor, but it may well be carried out at home on its own, provided that the masseur will show the mother how to massage the feet correctly with varying degrees of deviation.

Parents who have firmly decided to deal with valgus in a child on their own will have to be patient - the massage effect will be carried out in multiple courses, the wearing of orthopedic shoes can be recommended all the time, and gymnastics should become daily. If the baby and his parents are not lazy, the problem will certainly be dealt with, but not as quickly as we would like. Sometimes it takes a year, sometimes a year and a half or more.

The therapeutic complex of exercises for this pathology is best performed barefoot. Gym shoes, socks and everything else must be left until better times.

While there is such a problem as valgus, you need to deal with it without sparing your own nerves and children's heels.

Indications and contraindications

There are not many contraindications for gymnastics. If we talk about the underlying disease, then gymnastic loads are not recommended at 3 and 4 degrees of hallux valgus. First, in such cases, surgery is usually prescribed. The child will switch to exercise therapy, including home gymnastics, only after the rehabilitation process is completed.

A temporary ban on gymnastics is imposed if the child has a fever, if he is unwell, vomiting and diarrhea appear. It is impossible to carry out gymnastics for certain disorders of the vestibular apparatus, in which it is difficult for a small patient to maintain balance.

Gymnastics should also be abandoned if pain in the feet, knees increases after massage or during exercise. This, although rare, still happens, and requires the obligatory consultation of an orthopedist - it is possible that massage or gymnastics were performed incorrectly.

Exercise is not recommended for children with epilepsy and an increased tendency to seizure. With great care, preferably only under the supervision of an exercise therapy doctor, such gymnastics is performed for children with congenital heart and vascular defects.

Therapeutic exercise complex can be very effective in the first and second degrees of hallux valgus and planovalgus deformity of the feet. Most of the exercises can be used alone for flat feet.

Effective exercise

If there are no contraindications, the orthopedist has approved home gymnastics, you can start. Gradually, you will come up with your own, unique exercises, when you understand the essence of gymnastics and the goals that need to be achieved. But at first, it is recommended to use a program that is ready and tested by many mothers and children, approved by the Ministry of Health, and used in a number of medical centers for physiotherapy exercises.

The lesson will be conducted with three stages. It is not necessary to place all exercises in the first exercise. Start with 1-2 exercises of each stage and gradually increase the load, adding new tasks, increasing the time to complete the already familiar techniques and exercises.

Sitting position

For this part of the charging, you will need a small, hard chair with a backrest. A child, seated on such a chair, should reach with his feet to the floor, they should not dangle in the air.

"Hedgehogs". For this exercise you will need a small ball, such as a tennis ball. But it is best to use special orthopedic balls, which have an uneven, pimply texture. Put the ball on the floor and ask the child to roll it with his whole foot in a circle in arcs, zigzags. Repeat the exercise with the other foot. Later, you can use two hedgehog balls at once to complete the task with two legs at the same time.

The Lost. For this task, you will need a piece of silk or a handkerchief, as well as pencils. Spread objects on the floor in front of a sitting child and ask them to pick up pieces of fabric and "lost" pencils with their toes.
"Help the heroes of the fairy tale." For this activity, use toys made from chocolate surprise eggs and a small box, such as a shoe box. Place the toys in front of the child, telling a story. You can think of a fairy tale about how the animals set off on a journey, and a thunderstorm overtook them. The task of the kid is to quickly collect all the small toys with his feet and put them in a box (also, of course, with his feet). As you progress, the number of toys can be increased.

"Cheesecakes". For this exercise, the most common rolling pin that is available in the kitchen of every housewife is suitable. Place it on the floor, place both of your child's feet on a rolling pin, and ask them to roll it back and forth as far as possible so that the feet are fully engaged, from toes to heels.

When performing while standing

For a set of exercises in this position, you will need a gymnastic stick or a stick from a wooden mop, as well as an orthopedic mat (hard enough, with convex textured elements or a needle base). If there is no rug, you can make it yourself by gluing shells, buttons, corks and other small objects to the fabric.

"Tightrope Walker". Place the stick on the floor and have your child walk sideways on it back and forth. Keep your toes and heels touching the floor. Complicate the task when the child is ready - ask him to squat while standing on a stick (toes and heels should also be on the floor).

"Narrow path"... Ask the child to clasp the lying gymnastic stick with the legs so that only the inner parts of the feet touch it, the outer ones should rest on the floor. When the baby learns to stand confidently, ask him to walk like this, without releasing the stick, with a shuffling gait on the outside of the soles.
"Clown"... Ask your child to imagine himself as a clown and show how funny he can walk. The task is to walk like a herringbone, waddling, spreading the feet in different directions and touching the heels. Finish with rolling from heel to toe and walking on toes. All of these exercises can be done on an orthopedic massage mat.

Lying on the rug

This part of the charge requires a mat that does not allow the cold to pass through - there are special gymnastic mats.

"Swing". Put the child on his back, take his feet in your hands and ask the child to bend and unbend the feet away from himself and towards himself. Your hands will be an obstacle, a load that the baby needs to overcome.
"Helicopter". Ask the child to show how the helicopter blades work - he should depict circular movements with his feet lying on his back.
"Bicycle with a load". The bent legs of the recumbent child should be cycling, but with resistance. To do this, you can rest your legs on your mother's hands. Mom, on the other hand, should easily push on her feet away from herself.
"Bridge on the Road". The child lies on his back, the legs are bent at the knees, the feet are spread apart in different directions, the heels touch. The child's task is to raise the lower back in this position and let the car pass under him, which his mother, with shouts of “BBC”, rolls “under the bridge”.