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Physiotherapeutic approaches for patients with flat-foot in different age categories
VANDOVÁ, Alena
Flat foot, pes planus, belongs to common diagnosis encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. It is described as the fall or loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. Pes planus often occurs in children as well as adults. In the theoretical part of the thesis the foot anatomy is defined, along with the structure of the plantar vault and supporting tendons and ligaments. Furthermore, the development of the plantar vault with its relation to other parts of the body is outlined. The last chapter focuses on flat foot, its cause, impact and prevention. The aim of the thesis is to map the possibilities of therapeutic and physiotherapeutic influence of the plantar vault; describe and evaluate the findings of patients' therapy in different age categories. The information for the practical part was gathered on the basis of qualitative research, with the casuistic approach. Six male patients took part in the research, divided into three groups according to their ages. The therapy lasted for eight weeks. Before the start of the therapy I created a training unit, which was altered individually on the base of actual abilities of the patients. The unit included exercise with elements of sensomotoric stimulation, positions from dynamic neuromuscular stabilisation with the support of the correct foot positioning and exercise for the awareness of unwinding the sole of the foot. Improvement has been found in all patients' foot condition after the therapy. Better activation of the short feet muscles was recognised, as well as preferable overload of the toes. In some cases apparent correction of the longitudinal arch of the foot occurred. The therapy raised the patients' awareness of their own feet. This thesis could contribute to clinical practice of the physiotherapists or as a source of information for the general public.
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