Hollow foot syndrome - what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment
A hollow foot is a pathological change in the arch, characterized by an increase in its height. The disease is the antipode of flat feet and most often occurs against the background of injuries and some problems in the neuromuscular system. It is extremely rare that the disease is diagnosed as hereditary. Hollow foot syndrome is treated conservatively with early medical attention, in severe cases only surgical treatment will help.
Causes of the disease
Doctors believe that the disease begins as a result of improperly fused fractures of the foot and against the background of muscle imbalance in the foot and lower leg. Pathologies of the neuromuscular system can lead to the formation of a hollow foot:
- muscular dystrophy;
- cerebral palsy;
- meningitis and meningoencephalitis;
- poliomyelitis;
- spinal dysraphia;
- syringomyelia;
- Friedreich's ataxia.
In 20% of diagnosed cases of hollow foot, the cause of development cannot be established.
Symptoms of pathology
An early symptom is discomfort when walking, rapid fatigue and pain in the problematic lower limb. Patients emphasize that it is becoming more and more difficult for them to choose shoes - the deformation of the foot prevents them from wearing classic models, and in advanced cases makes it practically impossible. As the disease progresses, a person's gait changes, the sensitivity of the foot decreases.
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out as follows:
- the doctor examines the foot and measures the height of the arch;
- X-ray of the foot and plantography are prescribed (in the case of early patient referral, when changes cannot be determined by physical examination);
- an X-ray of the spine and a general MRI are performed.
In most cases, an additional examination by a neurologist is performed. If there are no visible causes for the development of a hollow foot, then experts say there is a high probability of a malignant neoplasm in the spine and the importance of an examination by an oncologist.
Treatment of hollow foot
If you seek medical help early, the treatment of a hollow foot will consist of courses of conservative therapy - massages, physical therapy, acupuncture and other physical procedures. Such a scheme is effective in childhood or in the rehabilitation period after injuries, when there is a risk and the first signs of the development of pathology.
As part of conservative therapy, special shoes must be selected - with a hollow foot, it is important to reduce the load on the toes and heels. Such medical shoes are produced in the form of various models, but with one condition - the inner part is raised. Moreover, samples are sewn literally to order, because a lot depends on the height of the curvature of the arch of the foot.
The most effective physiotherapeutic method is gymnastics. Rotation and bending, extension and leaning to the sides - these exercises for a hollow foot eliminate the pain syndrome, reduce discomfort when walking, and increase the performance of the leg's muscular apparatus. With a complex approach to solving the problem, when the referral to a specialist took place at an early stage of the disease, favorable forecasts are given in 98% of cases. You can make an appointment with the appropriate doctor to undergo an examination and confirm or deny the presence of this pathology on our Dobrobut website. com.
Whether an operation is necessary for a hollow foot is decided only by a doctor - such appointments are made in the case that the disease is in an advanced form. In this case:
- osteostomy;
- tendon transplantation;
- removal of metatarsal bones;
- arthrodesis.
The combination of two surgical techniques (from those listed above) is most often used. Operations are carried out under local anesthesia, the rehabilitation period includes all medical measures typical for the therapeutic correction of a hollow foot.
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