FLEXIBLE FLATFOOT IN CHILDREN (REVIEW)

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Abstract

Flatfoot is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions in the daily practice of pediatric orthopedists. Despite of numerous studies, diagnostic criteria and principles of management remain controversial. Flexible flatfoot - is visually detectable decrease in the height of the longitudinal arch of the foot, which can be spontaneously corrected by active or passive motion and not accompanied by any contracture of foot and ankle. Flexible flatfoot is a benign condition which is normal for childhood. But this term is also used to describe a painful deformity with marked limitation of dorsiflection and “not physiological” flatfoot with unfavorable course and prognosis. Despite of the awareness of the parents, flexible flatfoot does not lead to pain and should not be followed by any kind of treatment. Special shoe modifications and orthopedic insoles are useless in the attempt to improve the foot, but can influence negatively psychological condition and self-estimation. Proper diagnosis of flexible flatfoot is necessary in order to avoid unnecessary treatment and to reveal patients with adverse prognosis and rigid forms of flatfoot which need special approach.

About the authors

Vladimir Markovich Kenis

FSBI “Scientific and Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics n. a. G. I. Turner” under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: kenis@mail.ru
MD, PhD, head of the department of foot pathology, neuroorthopedics and systemic diseases.

Yurii Alexeevich Lapkin

FSBI “Scientific and Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics n. a. G. I. Turner” under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: omoturner@mail.ru
MD, PhD, leading research associate of scientific organizing department.

Ruslan Khalilovich Husainov

FSBI “Scientific and Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics n. a. G. I. Turner” under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: drhuslan@gmail.com
MD, PhD student of the chair of Pediatric traumatology, orthopedics and surgery

Andrei Viktorovich Sapogovskiy

FSBI “Scientific and Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics n. a. G. I. Turner” under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: sapogovskiy@gmail.com
MD, orthopedic surgeon of the department of foot pathology, neuroorthopedics and systemic diseases

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