Pes valgus, twisted foot, childlike twisted foot
Definition
In medicine, the term “buckling foot” refers to a pathological malposition of the foot. The classic plantar arch has a lowering of the inner (medial) edge of the foot with a simultaneous raising of the outer (lateral) edge of the foot. In addition, a so-called X-position can be observed when looking at the heel. This means that the heel appears bent outwards in relation to the leg at the level of the ankle.
Introduction
While the flat foot in adults must always be regarded as pathological, it is physiological in children and does not need to be treated. Children who suffer from a splayfoot often also have malpositions in the form of a flat foot or a fallen arches. As a rule, the foot position changes until the child reaches the age of 9. However, if the fallen arches do not disappear or slip further inwards until the age of about 8 to 10 years, a doctor should be consulted. This doctor can determine the most suitable method of treatment following extensive diagnostics.
Causes
The causes of the flat foot can be divided into congenital and acquired causes. In children, the presence of the pigeon-toed foot is in the majority of cases due to genetic malformations. However, the pigeon-toed foot in children is usually completely harmless and only develops while learning to walk.
Due to the not yet fully developed holding apparatus in the area of the legs and feet, children are forced to turn their feet inwards while walking. From this basic position, children put the heel at a compensatory angle. The result is the development of a kinked foot.
This phenomenon is completely normal and usually disappears completely as the child grows up. If a clubfoot develops in older children or adults, both the causes and the consequences are more serious. Possible reasons for the development of a splayfoot in older children can be accidents, paralysis, infections or incorrect loading of the foot.
In rare cases, rheumatic diseases can also be responsible for the development of the pigeon-toothed foot in children. Especially those children who suffer from massive overweight (adiposity) develop a pigeon toes during their growth. One of the most common causes of a pigeon-toed foot in children is ligament instability in the area of the foot.
Due to a lack of stabilization, children are not able to keep the heels upright. In the long run, this leads to a lowering of the longitudinal arch. Since strong muscular forces act on the foot even with weak ligament structures, the head of the ankle bone shifts inwards (medially) over time. The heel bone, on the other hand, is shifted more and more outwards. As a result, the inner ankle protrudes prominently.
