Curvature of the shins is a violation of the structure of the bones of the legs or an incorrect distribution of the skin and subcutaneous fat, in which the shins have an O or X—shaped shape.
The content of the article:
Classification of curvature of the lower legs
Causes of curvature of the shins
Correction of curvature of the shins
Curvature of the shins
The problem of deformed shins is not only an aesthetic defect, the violation adversely affects the physiological capabilities of a person. A patient with a pathological structure of the leg bones has an incorrect distribution of physical activity on the joints of the knees and hips, which can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint or cause degenerative-dystrophic joint disease. Quite often, in patients with curved shins, doctors diagnose flat feet of various types and degrees.
A doctor can determine the presence of a curvature of the shins, while no special medical devices are required. During the examination, the specialist draws a straight line from the head of the femur, then through the middle line of the patella and down to the first gap between the fingers. If the line is even, the shape of the legs is considered correct. Any deviation from the norm is classified as pathology and requires treatment.
Most often, to eliminate the problem of curved shins, patients turn to plastic surgeons who can choose the right treatment option depending on the type of deformity. In the case when the curvature is a cosmetic defect (false curvature of the shins), formed due to the improper distribution of the skin and subcutaneous fat, it can be corrected by special exercises and plastic surgery of the shins; when the deformation affects the bones (true curvature of the shins), the treatment will be performed exclusively by surgical intervention.
Classification of curvature of the lower legs
In medicine , the curvature of the lower legs is classified into two main types:
true curvature;
false curvature.
The biggest problem is the first type of deformation associated with a violation of the structure of the tibia.
In addition to the typical classification, true curvature is divided into two types:
hallux valgus — has the shape of the letter X, where the position of the legs is characterized by a large external angle of curvature, in the closed position of the patient’s legs, the inner part of the knees converges, and the ankles are at a considerable distance from each other;
varus — has the shape of the letter O, where the curvature of the inner part of the lower leg is characteristic, while the patient in the closed position of the legs forms a large distance of the knee joints from each other, and the ankles converge.
In the case when a patient seeks help from a specialist to determine the type and type of pathology, the following indicators are considered to be the norm:
in males, the deviation of the location of the shins outward from 5 to 7 degrees is considered normal;
in female representatives, the deviation norm is considered to be an arrangement of up to 10 degrees.
The problems of true curvature of the lower legs in modern medicine, and in particular in plastic surgery, are usually eliminated by lipofilling.
Hallux valgus of the shins
Deformity of the legs, classifying as true, gives the patient a lot of inconvenience and is often the cause of functional disorders. The hallux valgus type of curvature significantly affects the development of flat feet, in addition, the recurved curvature modifies the human foot in such a way that an external archway of the foot is formed and — as a consequence — secondary flat feet.
Varus curvature of the shins
Just as in the case described above, it negatively affects the function of walking, while flat feet develop even more rapidly. In patients with the pathology of varus curvature of the lower legs, a reverse turn of the foot is formed. True arched curvature of the legs can have both an innate and acquired character. If the acquired curvature is associated with the injuries received, then the birth defect appears against the background of serious diseases (such as severe rickets, inflammatory processes of bones, metabolic disorders, pathologies of the endocrine system).
False curvature of the shins
Doctors attribute this type of defect to a cosmetic defect, which is due to the nature of its formation — an incorrect distribution of the soft tissues of the legs, which gives the impression that the shape of the legs is incorrect (curved), but after diagnosis it is established that the bones themselves are not damaged. The main indicator of false deformation is the absence of soft tissues in the lower leg area from each other.
Causes of curvature of the shins
The problem of the curvature of the legs becomes noticeable already in adolescence, often there is no need to visit a medical institution to diagnose this defect, it is noticeable to the naked eye. The main reason for the formation of the curvature of the legs is the lack of important vitamins and trace elements in the baby’s diet. Vitamin D and calcium are involved in the development of bones, as well as in maintaining their strength, therefore, in order to prevent dystrophic bone processes in childhood, it is important to monitor the child’s diet and saturate it with the necessary substances. It is also necessary to spend more time in the air and the sun, which leads to the enrichment of the body with oxygen and normalizes metabolism.
A fairly common cause of the formation of curvature of the lower legs (not only in childhood, but also in adulthood) is injury, especially when the tibia, femur or knee joints suffer.
The formation of the defect can be affected by intrauterine development: for example, if the mother, carrying a child, has suffered serious illnesses or there is a genetic factor.
Correction of curvature of the shins
Most often, the correction of the shape of the legs, as well as the correction of the curvature of the shins, is performed by surgical intervention, which is associated with better results and greater efficiency. It is almost impossible to correct the pathology exclusively by physical exercises.
In the event that a patient is diagnosed with a false curvature of the shins, he will be offered a method of contouring the shins. Doctors note that not only people with cosmetic defects resort to this method of correction, but also professional athletes, which allows them to give the legs the necessary contour. However, the technique is applicable only when the bones of the shins are not deformed.
Another technique for eliminating false curvature of the lower legs is prosthetics, that is, implantation of prostheses under the skin in the area of the calf muscles. Silicone implants are used as prostheses. It is this material that has a high level of elasticity and strength, which makes them invisible. After such a correction, the doctor will definitely tell you about all the limitations in terms of physical impact on the shin area. Thanks to implants, it is possible not only to correct the shape of the shins, but also to make thin legs more voluminous.
If it is impossible to correct the defect by the methods described above, an orthopedic operation is performed, during which the doctor performs a corrective osteotomy involving bone dissection and subsequent compression-distraction osteosynthesis according to Ilizarov. The same method can be used to increase the growth, as well as to make the length and shape of the bones proportional.
Surgical operations to eliminate the curvature of the lower legs are performed only to those patients who have reached the age of 18.
