^

Health

Treatment of longitudinal flat feet

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is a labor-intensive and lengthy process. It is worth noting right away that it is impossible to completely eliminate it in adults.

Only children can be treated, and only at the early stages of the disease. You should not do anything on your own; you need to consult a specialist. After all, much depends on the degree of development of flat feet.

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot grade 2

Treatment of grade 2 longitudinal flatfoot includes a whole range of therapeutic measures that must be performed in a strict order. Before moving on to considering this issue, it is worth noting what this disease is. Grade 2 flatfoot is characterized by some changes that can be noticed with the naked eye. The disease can gain strength, and quite rapidly. At the same time, pain appears in the ankle, the gait changes noticeably and clubfoot appears.

What to do with such a disease? It should be noted right away that, unfortunately, it is impossible to cure it, but it is quite possible to alleviate the condition. It is advisable to resort to the help of therapeutic physical training. You need to do it for about 15 minutes, several times a day. Usually, a set of exercises is developed individually. Therefore, only a few basic options will be presented below.

The first exercise is performed while sitting on the floor. It is necessary to tightly connect the straightened legs so that the heels and knees lightly touch each other. Then the left foot is maximally unbent and placed behind the front part of the right foot. This exercise is performed for each lower limb.

Next, you need to sit on a chair or sofa and start bending your toes, do it slowly. You can take a ball and grab it with your feet. Then lift it up and down several times. The next exercise involves using a smaller object, a pen, pencil or battery. You need to take it with your fingers and lift it, repeat all this several times.

There are a couple of exercises for standing. To do this, you need to stand up straight and rise on your toes. From this position, smoothly move to the outer side of the stand and then return to the starting position. It is recommended to walk around the room on tiptoe.

In addition to exercises, massage is also done. But you should not do it yourself. This process should be fully controlled by the attending physician. You can independently purchase several massage mats and simply place them in those places where a person most often walks. Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is a complex process that is controlled by a specialist.

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot grade 3

Treatment of grade 3 longitudinal flatfoot is a very complex process, because we are talking about the last stage of the disease. At this stage, the disease is clearly expressed. The work of the musculoskeletal system is significantly impaired. Severe pain appears, a person experiences difficulties while walking.

Only conservative or surgical treatment can help a person. The second method is generally preferred. The fact is that it is almost impossible to correct the current situation with the help of exercises and massage. Insoles, correctors and orthopedic shoes do not have the desired effect.

Longitudinal flatfoot can be effectively removed surgically. This technique allows changing the normal course of the tibial tendon with its direction under the tuberosity of the scaphoid bone with its intersection. Then, by suturing, everything is shortened by 1-2 cm. Such an operation is performed by experienced surgeons.

Naturally, you can try to eliminate the problem with the help of therapeutic exercise. To do this, you will have to do certain exercises for 15 minutes several times a day.

Exercise one. You need to sit on the floor and turn your feet towards each other. Then bend your right leg and stroke the shin of your left leg with the sole of your right foot. In this case, you need to focus on the inner surface of the foot.

Exercise two. You need to sit on a table or a sofa and take a sponge or any other soft object with your feet. You will need to grab it with your fingers and lift it. Repeat the exercise several times. A similar procedure is repeated with a towel. You need to crumple it and try to straighten it with your toes.

Exercise three. You need to walk around the room a little on the outside of your foot, bending your toes. You can move around the apartment on tiptoe.

Massage also helps a lot, but it should be done by an experienced person. You shouldn't do it yourself. Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is a complex process that should be supervised by a specialist.

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot in children

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot in children can be done conservatively, surgical intervention is not implied in this case. This problem can be congenital, so special plaster bandages or splints are used to eliminate it. This type of flatfoot is extremely rare.

The main reasons for the development of this disease are weak bones, weak muscles and ligaments. Therefore, the treatment is of a "toning" nature. To eliminate the problem, therapeutic massage and physical exercise are used. Moreover, this is all done individually for each case. Special hardening procedures help improve blood circulation and increase muscle tone. Contrast foot baths are perfect for this action.

Flat feet in children are treated in the same way as in adults. For this purpose, wearing special orthopedic shoes and insoles is prescribed. The child should not walk barefoot on the floor. It will be useful for him to do this on uneven surfaces, grass, sand or small gravel. During the treatment period, special attention is paid to the child's gait. The baby should place his feet parallel and lean on the outer edge of the foot.

It is necessary to understand that the most important and significant factor in the treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is time. There is no need to rush things, everything must be done correctly and efficiently, in which case the problem will recede.

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot in adults

Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot in adults is carried out by performing certain exercises. Naturally, in more advanced cases, surgical intervention is impossible. This issue is decided exclusively by the attending physician.

So, in most cases, they resort to the help of therapeutic physical training. Its exercises are aimed at developing the motor skills of the toes. To do this, pick up an object from the floor, lift it up and down. You can move around the apartment on tiptoe, this helps very well. The main thing is not to walk on a flat surface. The full set of exercises should be agreed with the doctor.

In addition to therapeutic gymnastics, it is recommended to wear special orthopedic insoles and shoes. It is advisable to place special massage mats throughout the apartment, this will enhance the effect.

It is necessary to understand that quality treatment should be slow and effective. For this, it is necessary to carry out a whole range of treatment measures. It is worth understanding that no medications can eliminate this problem.

You can resort to massage. But this is done by a specialist. After all, much depends on the degree of development of the disease. Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is a complex process that requires patience.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.