The valgo foot, also known as a flat worth foot, is characterized by a decreased or absent inner arch of the foot. This condition is very common in children and, in most cases, resolves spontaneously, with bone development and with decreased ligament elasticity, without the need for treatment.
However, in some cases, when the arch does not develop alone, and when difficulties arise when walking or an imbalance arise, for example, treatment may be necessary, which can be performed with appropriate footwear, physiotherapy and special exercises and, in some more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
This condition is most common in people with a family history of valgo standing, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis. The people most likely to suffer injuries from this disease are those who are physically very active because they are most at risk of injury, older people because they are more prone to falls and people with cerebral palsy.
The valgo foot is characterized by a reduced or completely flat inner arch of the foot, which can cause a deviation of the heels, noticeable in the shoes, whose wear occurs on more than one side. In some cases, this condition can cause pain and difficulty walking, easy fatigue, imbalance or increased propensity to injure.
See other causes of heel pain
If the person feels unbalanced, suffers from running, or only wears shoes on one side, they should consult an orthopedic surgeon to make a diagnosis. These signs are usually immediately noticed in the child and often the valgo foot eventually resolves on its own.
Your doctor will look at your foot, how to walk, and in children, you’ll also be able to perform a neurological exam to exclude other conditions. In addition, you can also request exercises to evaluate foot behavior and imaging tests, such as x-rays.
Treatment is usually not necessary because the foot takes on a normal shape as the bones and ligaments develop become less elastic.
However, in some cases, the orthopedist may recommend the use of special footwear, physiotherapy and/or simple exercises, such as walking toe and heels, lifting objects with your feet or walking on uneven soils, to strengthen the muscles in the area.
Surgery is a very rare option and is generally recommended only in more severe cases, when the valgo foot has worsened or when other treatment options have not solved the problem.