Slender legs have long been considered one of the components of the standard of female beauty. Owners of long, straight legs are happy to demonstrate their advantages, sometimes turning them into serious weapons, striking down representatives of the courageous half of humanity. Many girls dream of wearing short skirts and shorts, catching the admiring glances of fans. Well, what should those who have been deprived of by nature do?
What can determine the shape of the legs?
The shape of any part of the body, including the legs, depends on genetic, ethnic and gender characteristics. In fact, it is as individual as, for example, the shape of the auricle or nose. With age, the body undergoes various transformations - the joint-ligamentous apparatus weakens, subcutaneous fat is deposited, muscles degrade, body weight increases, creating additional stress on the skeleton, etc. For these reasons, the shape of the legs also changes.
What is false curvature and how does it differ from true curvature?
Ideally, the legs should have several points of contact - at the knees, in the area of the convex part of the shins and at the ankles. Orthopedic surgeons distinguish between true and false curvature of the legs. These two states are fundamentally different. True curvature is the result of structural features or deformation of the bones of the lower extremities. False - a consequence of the disproportionate distribution of soft tissues (muscle and fat) with the correct arrangement of skeletal bones.
True curvature, in turn, can be varus, i.e. resemble the letter “O”, in which the knees do not touch, or valgus - when the shape of the legs is similar to the letter “X”. In this case, on the contrary, the knees touch and the ankles are moved away from each other.
With false curvature, in most cases a gap forms between the convex parts of the legs, forming a spindle-shaped defect. However, there are also combined cases where valgus and varus curvature also have a false character due to “looseness” of the joints due to age-related or traumatic damage to the ligaments. The diagram below shows the types of leg curvature with the exception of the combined type: it is a combination of false curvature with non-closing knees.
a - closure at three points (ideal legs); b - non-closure of the knees (true O-shaped curvature); c - non-closure of the ankles (true X-shaped curvature); d - non-closure of the soft tissues of the upper third of the legs (false curvature)
It is enough to pay attention to the shape of a newborn’s legs to understand that we all come into this world with the following “disadvantage”: the legs resemble the letter “O” and become straight by approximately two years. In some cases, by the age of three, the curvature occurs in the opposite direction, giving the legs the appearance of the letter “X,” but by the age of six or seven, the legs of most children are completely straightened.
In what cases is surgery necessary?
Almost any type of limb curvature today can be effectively eliminated. In some cases, this can be achieved independently, and in more complex cases, through surgery.
Surgery is performed for any true curvature, as it is related to the structure of the skeleton. Straightening bones is impossible with any procedures or exercises. In such cases, they resort to special orthopedic operations with the installation of an Ilizarov corrective apparatus on the bones of the lower leg, the use of which gives the maximum result.
As for the need for surgery for false curvature of the legs, it is performed only when conservative methods of correction (gymnastics, massage, physiotherapeutic procedures) have not had the desired effect. In this case, surgical correction of the shape of the lower leg is performed either by cruroplasty or by lipolifting.
Restoring the shape of the lower leg using cruroplasty (photo)
Back view. Scars are almost invisible
In the first case, the surgeon installs corrective silicone implants on the patient’s inner segments of the lower leg, and in the second, he uses his own fatty tissue for plastic surgery, removing them from the abdomen. With both methods, implants are inserted through small incisions, after which the skin is stitched with a cosmetic suture, which will not be noticeable later. The operations are performed under general anesthesia.
Plastic surgery of the legs using silicone implants has significant disadvantages - the inserts, installed through an incision under the knee between the muscles of the leg, can move over time, again disrupting the shape of the leg. In this case, they will need to be removed. In addition, with installed implants, unfortunately, you cannot play sports.
Special sets of exercises
The proposed universal complex consists of nine simple exercises that can be done at home. The main condition for success is regular exercise. If you practice occasionally, you should not expect a good result. For greater clarity and convenience, you can look at the pictures below.
- Rise onto your tiptoes, holding onto the back of the chair. You need to do the exercise 10–15 times in 5 approaches.
- Do similar movements while standing on one leg. In this case, the number of lifts can be reduced.
- Stand on a small elevation so that your heels hang freely, for example, on a board or block, and then rise on your tiptoes, then touch your heels to the floor at the lowest point. Do the exercise in three sets lasting 25–30 seconds each.
- Jump as high as possible, while trying not to bend your knees. It is necessary to do three sets of 5-6 jumps.
- Perform the jumps described above, but on one leg.
- Sit on a chair and place a heavy object on your knees, and then raise your feet on your toes 40-50 times. Recommended item weight is 5 kg.
- Sit on the floor and press your feet against the wall. Hold the position for 5 seconds, then relax for 10–15 seconds and repeat the exercise 3–4 times again at the same interval.
- Squat without lifting your heels off the floor, while trying to touch your buttocks to your calves. You need to do 3 sets of 12–15 squats.
- Do the same squats as described in the previous exercise, but stand with your toes on a slight elevation (5–7 cm). You are allowed to hold on to the support.
A universal set of exercises for correcting the shape of the legs (tips for instructions)
How to correct depending on the type and degree of curvature
We bring to your attention another set of special exercises, which is designed for various types of curvature. First you need to do exercises to warm up your muscles:
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and lift your toes, trying to keep your feet on the floor and tensing all the leg muscles as much as possible.
- Standing in the same position, tuck your toes, also tensing your leg muscles.
- Place your heels together and toes apart. With tension in your leg muscles, smoothly rise onto your toes, spreading and bringing your heels together.
- In a sitting position, spread your legs and lift your toes towards you, leaving your heels on the floor. In this position, spread and bring your feet together until you feel slight pain.
- In the same position, bring and spread your heels, resting your toes on the floor.
- Lie down on the mat and spin your legs like a bicycle for a few minutes.
Once you have warmed up your muscles, you can begin special exercises that match your curvature type.
For O-shaped
- Lie on your back and do the “scissors” first in the vertical plane and then in the horizontal. Gradually increase the exercise time.
- With your back straight, squat smoothly with your knees together. Try to squat as deeply as possible.
- Kneel down, put your hands on your waist, and spread your feet out to the sides. Squat slowly, trying to touch the floor with your buttocks.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart, then, without lifting your feet off the floor, bring your knees in and out.
- March on the inside of your feet.
For X-shaped
- Holding onto the table, try to pull your knee higher, helping yourself with your hands, and then turn it back, as ballerinas usually do. Do the exercise with each leg in turn.
- Sit down on the mat in Turkish style, and pressing on your knees, try to bring them as close to the floor as possible.
- In a sitting position, bring the soles of your feet together and also press on your knees, trying to touch them to the floor.
- Lie on your stomach and in this position, bring your soles together, spreading your knees apart. Try to hold this pose for 3 minutes, and then strive to increase the exercise time to 15 minutes.
- Do the previous exercise only in a supine position, trying to touch your knees to the floor.
- March on the outside of your feet.
Exercises to correct the shape of your legs (video)
Healing yoga
Yoga is also very useful for improving the shape of your legs. Among the main goals of yoga are the spiritual, mental and physical improvement of a person. This ancient practice can do a lot, including the ability to correct the shape of the legs. You may not know, but there is a whole direction in yoga that deals with such issues - Iyengar Yoga. If you choose this method of correcting the shape of your legs, you must realize that the path will be long and difficult. Several haphazard sessions will not bring any benefit - you need months, or even years of hard training with complete dedication, but the result will be impressive.
You need to practice under the guidance of an experienced instructor and repeat the exercises at home. Iyengar yoga strives to help a person achieve the correct body position - the one that nature intended for him. It is believed that under the influence of special asanas, not only muscles, but also bones can change their shape, since the body is constantly renewing tissues, including bones, at the cellular level. In the Iyengar asana complex, there are special exercises in which the legs are stretched with weights and belts, and the arch of the foot is placed in an anatomically correct position, which improves posture and gait.
How to straighten your legs with Iyengar yoga (video)
What else can help?
There are several other options to correct this situation:
- Regular barefoot jogging in the sand can have a good effect.
- Massage. As for massage, it can be considered as an independent measure to eliminate curvature of the legs only in childhood - up to three years. For adult patients, massage is recommended to enhance the effect obtained from special exercises.
As we can see, it is quite possible to get rid of crooked legs - just start working on yourself. Moreover, every owner of less than ideal legs should remember that this problem will absolutely not overshadow the impression she makes if the girl’s personality is bright, interesting and meaningful. As they say, our problems are not outside - they are in our heads...
In 2001, the leading Russian orthopedic surgeon, Doctor of Medical Sciences Alexander Artemyev, developed the most popular classification of leg shape today, which is generally recognized and is used as the basis in methods of correction of the lower extremities.
In addition to classification, Dr. Artemyev introduced such terms and concepts as ideal legs, their true and false curvature.
What do these concepts mean, how to correct crooked legs at home? How to determine your shape? Find out the answers right now.
The beauty of legs is a concept that everyone builds on personal aesthetic perception. Just beautiful, that's all, you say. But it turns out that ideal legs exist, and their shape is calculated mathematically.
They should reach a length of up to 55% of your height, and it is also necessary to maintain certain proportions between body height and the volume of the hips and ankles. But the main thing is the straight line rule: if you draw an imaginary straight line from the middle of the thigh through the closed knees and ankles, then three gaps will be visible along the smooth inner contour of the limb: from the crotch to the knee joints, under the closed knees to the calves and from the calf muscles to the ankles. In front of you are perfect legs. But not everyone has been blessed with such things by nature. Anthropometric cosmetology deals with the correction of such defects.
The legs of many men and women are characterized by curvature, varying in severity and divided into two types - false and true. What is it and what is their fundamental difference?
1. True This curvature is the result of anatomical features or deformation of the skeletal bones of the femur and tibia. The lower limbs seem to form an arc. The cause of true, that is, bone curvature, is most often hereditary genes or diseases suffered at a young age, for example, rickets, or metabolic disorders. 2. False Such curvature is a disproportionate distribution of the soft tissues of the thigh and lower leg with an even, without defects, position of the skeletal bones. We can say that false curvature is the appearance of curvature in its real absence.
Types of true curvature and methods for determining them at home
True curvature is divided into two types:
O-shaped or varus
People with such bone deformities are said to have legs like wheels or like a football player. Wherever the discrepancy begins - from the level of the hip or the area below the knee, the shape of the legs will still end up looking like the letter “O”. The knees will “fall out” of the three ideal points of contact - they will not close with such a deformation. X-shaped, or valgus In this case, the knees, on the contrary, close tightly, but the ankles cannot come together. As a result, the shape of the lower limbs resembles the letter “X” and such people are said to have “X” legs.
We offer simple mini-test:
- Stand straight in front of the mirror, bend one limb and observe the kneecap of the straight supporting leg. If it is displaced inward, you have an O-shaped deformity; if it is displaced outward, you have an X-shaped deformity.
- Place your hands on your belt and do a simple squat at a slow pace. Watch your knees: with an O-shaped curvature, they tend to the sides, with an X-shaped curvature, they want to connect, if the legs are straight, they bend parallel to the feet.
An x-ray will help to finally put an end to this issue. She will not be deceived by false curvature - in the picture the axis of the leg, no matter what impression the disproportionately distributed muscles make, will be straight.
It must be said that distortion of the lower extremities is not only a problem of aesthetics. This can harm your legs and back. But today, almost any curvature can be straightened and leveled - it can be done independently or using special techniques.
Peculiarity! There are cases when valgus and varus refer to false curvature. As a result of age-related changes or ligament injuries, joints that are not held together by them may become loose, and as a result, the knees may stop closing. It can be difficult to figure out on your own why the shape of your legs is distorted and to distinguish false curvature from true one.False curvature - what to do to win?
Let us immediately emphasize that false leg deformity is not a pathology. It does not cause harm to physical health, but represents only an aesthetic defect. This means that we are quite capable of correcting crooked legs without surgery.
How to correct and correct true curvature? We will start the correction with proper physical activity. The result, depending on the degree of deformation, can be seen in six months to a year, and even completely get rid of the defect. But time and effort will not be wasted - your body will become healthier and stronger overall, you will look and feel much better. And the proposed complexes can be performed not only in the gym, but even independently at home.
A set of exercises for correcting O-legs
How to make your legs straight with this type of defect? The impact should be aimed at strengthening the adductor muscles, as well as the lower leg. So, we present to you exercises for crooked legs at home.
- Walking on the inner arches of the feet and on the heels with the toes pointing outwards, lifting on the toes and others.
- Run or walk up stairs, raising your toes with each step. Can be replaced.
- Squats: as deep as possible with knees brought together, the second type is ballet “Plie”. The legs are spread as wide as possible, the toes point in different directions, the emphasis when moving is on the inner thigh. .
- Swing your leg to the side from a standing position - free or with.
- Straight leg raises: one leg lying on your side, alternately from a sitting position with support on your hands behind you
- vertical and horizontal or .
- Lunges. Move your body weight to the heel of the working limb, lifting from a lunge - without jerking, with tension on the buttocks, not the knee.
- Mixing and breeding. Feet - shoulder-width apart, bring your knees closer and apart without lifting the entire surface of your feet from the floor.
- Cross "twine". Not only straightens, but also lengthens limbs.
Classes must be conducted three times a week, every other day. Walking takes 5-10 minutes, and with your arms connected it can be considered a warm-up. Each exercise - 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions.
To correct O-shaped curvature of the legs, it is useful to engage in speed skating, ballet and swimming. Also watch the video on how to straighten your legs using exercises:
Below you can see photos of o-shaped types in women before and after training:
A set of exercises for adjusting X-legs
The abductor muscles of the outer thigh are to be worked.
- Walking on the outer arches of the feet.
- The so-called and others.
- We gradually increase the weight from session to session.
- with the toe pulled towards you - from a position with emphasis on your knees and elbows, lying on your side or standing.
- The step to the side should be wide, arms extended in front of you, heels not coming off the floor.
- Squats – regular or with a ball held between the knees.
- Static exercise
- Knee abduction. Standing on one leg, pull the other knee higher and turn it as far back as possible (this element can be seen in ballet). Do it on each limb in turn.
- Turkish squat. In this position, press on your knees, bringing them as close to the floor as possible. Do the same, slightly changing your position and bringing your soles together.
- Lying on your stomach, place your soles together and spread your knees apart. Hold for at least 3 minutes, gradually increase the time to 10-15 minutes.
This exercise is also performed 3 times during the week, for each exercise - 3 sets of 12-15 repetitions.
Sports that will benefit X-shaped legs are yoga, breaststroke swimming, horseback riding and cycling.
In the given complexes, the load is directed to the target muscles and, in combination with stretching, can increase the volume of the calves, correct the hips and shape of the legs.
We present to you photos of x-shaped legs in women before and after exercises:
True curvature - 5 ways to correct it
Unlike false curvature of the legs, where efforts to eliminate it must be directed to working with muscles and fat deposits, true one is skeletal deformation. And here we need more effective methods, with the involvement of medical specialists. What is offered for this today?
1. Surgery
There can be two options for orthopedic surgery:
1. Surgical intervention with installation of the Ilizarov apparatus on the shin bones
10 days after installation, the process of bone correction begins, which consists of applying compression to the bone by regularly tightening the nuts for 1.5-2 months.
Use is recommended no earlier than 14 years of age. After removing the device, active physical activity is excluded for 4-6 weeks. This method can be called traditional, but, according to experts, its use gives the maximum result.
2. An operation in a plastic surgery clinic called cruroplasty.
It can be carried out using two methods - installation on the lower leg area, in the area of the calf muscle, corrective silicone implants of the required shape and size, and lipofilling, when a volume is formed in the same area of the legs from fat cells pumped out from the patient’s abdomen. The operation lasts an hour and a half, rehabilitation takes 1.5-2 months. The disadvantages include the fact that over time, implants can move on their own, distorting the shape of the leg, as well as a ban on playing sports.
2. Massage
As an independent measure, massage for correcting curvature of the legs is effective only for children under three years of age.
He can help adult patients only if the key to the problem with the limbs lies in the back area, and an experienced chiropractor has undertaken to eliminate the defect.
But still the massage remains auxiliary measure It is not able to completely eliminate bone deformation.
3. Pull-up machine
The principle of action is horizontal stretching of the spine and legs.
With regular exercise, it gradually relieves spasms and tension in bones and joints, restores blood circulation, and lengthens the limbs.
4. Correction belts
This device consists of three length-adjustable belts that grip the legs in three places.
In this position, you should perform a number of exercises described in the instructions.
5. Visual effect
A few little tricks will help ensure this. 
- Overlays.
Flesh-colored silicone corrector pads will help to visually correct the curvature and create the appearance of increasing the volume of the calves. They must be attached directly to the limb - on the inside, in the area of the calf muscle. After this, you can wear tight tights or skinny jeans.
- The right clothes.
To hide crooked legs with clothes, your wardrobe needs straight classic trousers or jeans, straight-cut breeches, maxi or midi length skirts or dresses - flared and puffy, boots with a loose top and over the knee boots to wear with shorts or a short skirt.
Check out the photos below before and after correcting true curvature using various methods:
If you are on the path to correcting false curvature of your legs, try to say goodbye to several bad habits:
- sleep on your stomach After all, in this position the spine does not rest and a difference in the length of the limbs can form, but it is often quite insignificant. The effect of constantly sleeping on your stomach is the same as carrying a bag on one shoulder;
- cross your legs while sitting and cross your legs while standing;
- walk in high heels, which constantly keeps the muscles tense. The result is a deterioration in blood circulation and lymph flow, pain and swelling in the extremities, the development of varicose veins and the formation of cellulite.
Step by step - to the feet of your dreams.
Much that is a tragedy for us is perceived by others as something insignificant or even unnoticeable. Spectacular beautiful legs are the dream of every girl. But there are no people who do not have their own special beauty at all. Learn to correctly place accents in your appearance, be an interesting conversationalist and, of course, do not give up your dream of having beautiful legs. Even women after forty can correct defects. Go towards it step by step, achieve your goal using our advice and recommendations - and you will have everything will definitely work out!
As for the shape of the legs and their appearance, this is almost the most important thing in female beauty, not only for women, but also for men. But not everyone can share the joy of beautiful legs. Women who are not lucky enough to have beautiful, slender legs constantly infringe on themselves in many of the joys of life, such as visiting the pool or the sea beach, and limit themselves to wearing beautiful clothes that reveal their legs, be it skirts or shorts. In order to find out how to correct crooked legs, you need to carefully read the entire article to the end, which will tell you what methods exist for correcting crooked legs, not only with the help of a surgeon, but also on your own.
First, let's look at the question of what does it mean to have properly shaped legs? Everything is quite simple, beautiful legs of the correct shape are considered to be those that, when completely brought together, touch in four main places:
- Knees.
- Heels.
- Mid-calf.
- Mid-thigh.
When deviating from this rule, the following occurs:
- O-shaped curvature of the legs or varus curvature of the legs: the defect is a spindle-shaped, closed legs starting from the perineum and further down to the ankles. In this case, the point of contact is only on the heels, and there is a gap in the area of the shins and knees.
- X-shaped curvature of the legs or hallux valgus: the defect is a deformity in which the point of contact is only in the knees, while the ankles are apart.
Based on the nature of the curvature of the legs, the type of curvature can be determined:
- False curvature of the legs is caused solely by the anatomical features of the structure of the soft tissues themselves, meaning incorrect or uneven development of the muscle tissue of the lower leg and thighs, at this time the bones also have an incorrect location. It is worth noting that such a defect can be corrected even without surgery, using a special series of exercises.
- True curvature of the legs is caused by deformation of the bones of the legs, possible defects of non-standard development and, as a consequence, of the structure of the skeleton. In this case, only surgical intervention is implied.
X-shaped curvature of the legs before and after photos What caused your legs to become crooked?
This is the second most popular question, after ways to eliminate this defect. Naturally, in most cases, this problem arises solely due to the physiological characteristics and structure of the bones, but in order to ensure that ideal legs do not become crooked over time, it is necessary to follow several rules, since they are often the cause of curvature of the legs:
- Try not only not to concentrate all the weight on one leg, but not even to sit with your legs crossed.
- Carrying a bag on one shoulder has a negative impact not only on the spine, but also on the legs.
- Don't stand on one leg.
- It is best to sleep only on your back, as over time, after 20 years of sleeping on your side or stomach, it affects your legs.
- If possible, avoid wearing too high heels altogether.
O-shaped curvature of the legs before and after photos How to remove bowed legs without surgery
It is worth noting that before running headlong to the surgeons, you can try to visually solve the problem of curvature of the legs.
In order to learn how to hide crooked legs, you just need to follow a few rules for choosing the right clothes:
- Any girl can cope with crooked legs with the help of a successful combination of tights with a large pattern, over the knee boots and a miniskirt.
- It is strictly forbidden to wear knee-length skirts and breeches.
- Thanks to straight-fit trousers or jeans, you can visually hide crooked legs. By the way, horizontal stripes also cope with this problem.
Curvature of the legs: photos before and after a yoga course Exercises for crooked legs
If you are determined to radically combat the problem of curvature of the legs in adults, then you should first of all perform a certain course of simple exercises that are aimed at correcting the curvature of the legs. The first thing you need to do is get rid of excess fat in the thighs and lower legs. To do this, it is necessary to give them as much load and movement as possible and sit as little as possible.
Exercises for hips
When lying on your side with straight legs and tense muscles, you need to lift exactly the leg that is on the floor, this is very important. After this, try to hold it in this position for several seconds. Next, you need to turn over and repeat this procedure. If you feel that you can keep one leg in this position longer than the other, then on the weaker leg you should try to give greater loads over time. This way your muscles will gradually balance out.
Exercises for crooked legs Thigh muscle stretch
In a standing position, with your feet shoulder-width apart, pull in your stomach and straighten your posture, while all muscles should be relaxed. Now you need to bend your leg at the knees back, grab it from behind with one hand and thereby stretch the muscles.
Exercises to hide crooked legs Exercise for calf muscles
For this exercise, you need to come up with some kind of stand, no more than 5 cm high. You need to stand on it with your toes, while your heels should remain on the floor. Now, transferring your weight to your toes and lifting your heels, you need to freeze in this position for 10-20 seconds.
Correction of crooked legs Leg muscle stretching
In a sitting position, straighten your legs in front of you, watch your posture. Next, you need to ideally clasp your foot with your hands, or that part of the leg as far as you can reach, and then begin to slowly pull it towards you as much as possible and stay in this position for 10-15 seconds. We repeat the same procedure with the other leg. In this case, it is important to keep your leg on the same line as close to the other as possible and not bend it at the knee. You must constantly monitor your posture; during the exercise, your back should be straight, this is very important.
Sports - if your legs become crooked For O-shaped curvature
After stretching, it’s time to move directly to exercises aimed at correcting crooked legs.
If your legs have become crooked, then with a simple exercise you can correct them. It’s worth noting right away that you shouldn’t expect quick results; the average course is determined by the daily systematic repetition of exercises, which will give the first visible results in at least one year. The exercise for correcting O-shaped curvature is very simple, but its effectiveness is achieved through constant implementation. It is necessary to stand straight and bring your legs as close as possible, after they come together, keep them in this position for 10-15 seconds, increasing this time by 1 second every day.
Photos before and after exercises to correct O-shaped curvature For X-shaped curvature
In this case, you need to take the same stance as in the previous exercise, only in this case you need to slowly spread your legs as far apart as possible and lock in this position for the same 10-15 seconds, followed by increasing the time by 1 second . The back must be in a straight position.
Photos before and after exercises to correct X-shaped curvature Leg shape correction
It is necessary to sit down, keeping your feet closed, without opening them and without lifting the surface of your feet from the floor, you need to place your palms in front of you on the floor. Now, without lifting your palms, you begin to slowly straighten your legs, thereby raising your pelvis above the level of your head. After this, fix yourself in this position for 15 seconds. This exercise must be done 3 times a day, 3 approaches.
Yoga for crooked legs
The yoga technique primarily tones the muscles and, in the case of weak muscles, strengthens them. At the same time, the impact on them occurs thanks to special sets of exercises, thanks to which soft tissues become stronger, and strong tissues become softer.
In order for yoga exercises for the legs to be as effective as possible, they are tightened with belts, elastic bandages, or special weights are hung on them. A common practice found in yoga is based on targeted action on the joints of the legs, by squeezing and holding bricks between them.
Yoga for the legs, as for other parts of the body, is based on constant control of the respiratory system, which is due to natural breathing through the nose, without hesitation. As for the depth and frequency of inhalation, they may vary depending on a particular exercise, but the naturalness and ease of breathing should remain constant. For beginners who are just getting acquainted with this technique, to simplify the performance of some exercises, you can use a fitball, which will help you hold your body in some particularly difficult but necessary exercises.
In order for yoga exercises to help a woman with crooked legs, it is necessary to practice them at least three to four times a week, and for a visible result for at least 3 months.
Short bowed legs are not a death sentence
Leg osteotomy
Osteotomy is a surgical procedure for curvature of the legs. In this case, an artificial bone fracture is created in order to eliminate the deformity. This method is quite old and effective. It uses a special device, thanks to which it is possible to change the bone structure. It should be understood that the result will be visible only after the recovery period after the operation, and not every time the curvature of the legs can be corrected thanks to only one operation.
Osteotomy surgery to straighten the legs If false curvature without deformation can be corrected with the help of special implants, then for the rest only surgical intervention performed under general anesthesia is necessary. It is worth understanding that there is a certain list of mandatory conditions on the basis of which the doctor can approve or prohibit the operation.
Indications:
- X-shaped curvature.
- O-shaped curvature.
Contraindications:
- Minor patient.
- Diseases of internal organs.
- Pregnancy.
- Malignant tumors.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Dystrophy or obesity.
Photos before and after leg osteotomy How to correct bowed legs: surgical technique
The operation itself occurs as follows. The surgeon dissects the bone through pre-made incisions, and the dissection can be:
- With extension.
- Full.
- With a shift inward.
- Incomplete.
The length of such holes is often no more than 7 mm. Based on the degree of a particular curvature of the legs, the surgeon must decide whether it is possible to eliminate the defect directly during the operation, or whether this will be possible only with the help of the Ilizarov apparatus.
Rehabilitation period
Despite such high achievements in modern medicine, after osteotomy, the patient must adhere to certain rules. Immediately after the operation, the patient will be in a hospital for 3 days, under the supervision of doctors. Upon returning home, the patient must still come to the hospital for routine check-ups and dressing changes. The first month or two, the patient will move with the help of crutches, after which independent movement is allowed. The patient’s further actions will depend on the progress of rehabilitation and the doctor’s recommendations.
Ilizarov apparatus
If it is impossible to correct the curvature during bone osteotomy surgery, the surgeon decides to use the Ilizarov apparatus.
Ilizarov apparatus on the leg This device consists of some kind of rings that are attached by means of knitting needles, which in turn are placed directly in the bone tissue. The needles of the Ilizarov apparatus also function as levers for tension or compression. Thanks to this device, the doctor is able to fix the bone in the required position for further healing. After the Ilizarov apparatus is attached to your leg, you need to move around on crutches for 2-4 days, but after a month you can try moving independently. The correction process itself will begin 10-15 days after the operation is completed. In order for everything to go according to plan, it is necessary to constantly tighten the nuts in order to control the changes in bone tissue. Naturally, you shouldn’t do this yourself.
This device must be worn for about 2-3 months; if the recovery process is successful, the patient can continue treatment at home.
Removal of the Ilizarov apparatus occurs at the moment when the radiologist, surgeon and therapist make an appropriate statement based on the radiograph. As for the postoperative period after removal of the Ilizarov apparatus, it consists of abandoning physical activity, while it is gradually necessary to resume motor functions, according to the recommendation and plan of the doctor.
Ilizarov apparatus correction of leg curvature: before and after photos If the doctor’s recommendations are violated, there is a risk of the following complications:
- A fracture or deformation of the bone in the area where the correction was performed.
- Inflammatory processes in soft and bone tissues.
- Problems associated with the joints of the legs and subsequent limitation of motor activity.
Cruroplasty if the legs become crooked
Often surgery to correct bow legs is not required because the problem is simply that the patient's calf muscles are poorly developed. It is quite simple to cope with this problem by resorting to contour plastic surgery - cruroplasty, which is aimed at correcting curvature with the help of silicone implants.
Such implants have a lifetime guarantee, and their properties are not inferior to muscle tissue.
There is no need to replace them and they are resistant to any external influences. But this procedure is relevant only for false curvature of the legs.
Possibilities of cruroplasty
Cruroplasty is one of the safest and at the same time effective methods, which is used not only by women, but also by men.
Indications for leg cruroplasty:
- Elimination of muscle atrophy and restoration of the shape of the lower leg.
- Underdeveloped calf muscles.
- Curvature of the legs.
It is worth noting that cruroplasty of the tibia can provide not only good results with false curvature, but also with moderately expressed O-shaped curvature of the legs.
Choosing an implant
By the way, not only ordinary people resort to leg plastic surgery; crooked legs of celebrities are not at all uncommon, and sometimes you can even notice that plastic surgery has been done. As for the choice of one or another implant, this is based on individual anatomical characteristics and wishes. The choice of implants is quite extensive.
Implants completely imitate not only their shape, but even feel the same to the touch. They are not rejected by the body and are practically unable to bring any negative consequences.
Cruroplasty: photos before and after surgery How is the operation performed?
Correction of curvature of the legs using cruroplasty occurs as follows. An incision is made at the back of the natural popliteal fossa where the implant is placed, then the tissue is restored using cosmetic sutures. The procedure itself lasts no more than 30 minutes, after which the patient remains in the hospital for a day. As for anesthesia, both local and general can be used.
Cruroplasty is contraindicated for:
- Circulatory disorders.
- In the presence of diseases of chronic organs.
- Inflammatory processes of the skin.
- Oncological diseases.
- If you are under 18 years of age.
After surgery to correct crooked legs
After the procedure has been completed, it is not recommended to actively walk for the first time. At the same time, the walking time should be as short as possible. As for physical activity, it is completely excluded for several months. The use of compression stockings is recommended.
Painful and uncomfortable sensations while walking will disappear after a few days, while swelling will subside after 15 days, and the stitches will be removed after 10.
Lipofilling
The procedure for lipofilling of the legs is that with the help of one’s own fat cells, which are often taken from the abdominal area and with the help of special injections, the required volume of the lower leg is formed. This method of correcting curvature will be relevant only if the degree of curvature is insignificant and if there is a corresponding amount of fat deposits in the abdominal area.
You should be prepared for the fact that after lipofilling, on average, half of the transplanted cells will die within a few days, so the specialist takes this into account and transplants 40-60% more. In order to get the desired effect, 2 or even 3 procedures are needed.
Lipofilling: photos before and after the procedure
Correction of curvature of legs: cost
As for the cost of attending yoga classes or a fitness room to perform corrective exercises, it all depends solely on the pricing policy, geographic location and status of a particular institution. Some exercises can be done at home. The average cost of a monthly gym membership varies from 500 to 3,000 rubles.
An orthopedic operation, together with the subsequent installation of an Ilizarov apparatus, along with all preliminary and accompanying procedures, can cost around 50,000–100,000 rubles.
Cruroplasty together with consultation, all tests and implants will cost the patient approximately 90,000–200,000 rubles.
The lipofilling procedure, which includes all the necessary procedures, will cost from 90,000 to 150,000 rubles.
Crooked legs in men: photos before and after surgery
Correction of curvature of legs: reviews
Varvara, 24 years old, Tyumen
I had a slight curvature in my legs, and if until I was 18 years old this didn’t particularly bother me, then after that I began to feel a little complex. Due to the fact that I did not want to turn to specialists who would perform any operations to improve my legs, I began to look for other methods of dealing with this problem. So, on the advice of my friend, I turned to yoga. After two years of training with my trainer, my legs became almost perfectly straight, and this does not take into account the fact that my posture and the quality of my health in general have improved. I recommend everyone not to panic, but to soberly assess the condition of their legs and decide to change their life.
Evgenia, 26 years old, Orel
Ignat, 32 years old, Moscow
I have been professionally involved in bodybuilding for 4 years now, and as we know in our sport, it is necessary to have an ideal body, but few people know how difficult, and sometimes almost impossible, it is to pump up the calf muscles without pumping up all the others. That is why I was forced to resort to cruroplasty, fortunately this is not prohibited. Everything went so well that I won the qualifying round for the Moscow championship and now I’m preparing for the competition. I recommend to all!
Liya, 28 years old, Bryansk
I don’t understand why many people are afraid of the Ilizarov apparatus, because despite the fact that I was limited in movement for 3 months, now I have perfect legs that can be the envy of many Hollywood stars, some of whom, in turn, also resorted to similar procedures. I recommend it to all girls who dream of changing their lives for the better.
Smooth, beautiful legs are one of the most important attractive female tools that men like so much.
Unfortunately, girls often have a structural defect or deformation of bone tissue, which leads to the development of curvature of the legs.
According to statistics, false curvature of the legs is observed today in more than 55% of women, so this problem cannot be called rare.
Types of leg curvature
The following types of true curvature of the legs are distinguished, which affects the tissues of the lower leg:
- X-shaped curvature. The peculiarity of this curvature is that the feet and shins will not touch when the legs are aligned, while the knees will be very tightly placed one to the other. The general shape of the legs will be similar to the letter “X”.
- O-shaped curvature. This is the most common type of curvature of the legs, in which the limbs will diverge to the sides, thereby clearly resembling arches and the letter “O”.
This problem can be corrected with the help of properly selected physical exercises. Despite this, if the pathology is advanced and the curvature is very pronounced, the patient may require surgical intervention.
Ideal leg shape, what is it like?
Of course, each person has their own beauty standards, but experts noted that the ideal shape of legs is considered when they make up 52% of the total body length. Moreover, the proportionality of the volume of the hips and ankles is also considered an indicator of beauty. Thus, with a height of 160-165 cm, the volume of one hip should be 55 cm. With higher growth, accordingly, these measurements will be larger.
What can determine the shape of the legs?
The shape of the legs can depend on many factors, but it is most influenced by genetics, gender and ethnicity. In general, like the structure of the auricle, the shape of the legs is very individual.
Moreover, as the body matures, the shape of the legs can undergo significant changes. This will already be influenced by lifestyle, the presence of excess weight, concomitant diseases, playing sports or its complete absence.
What is false curvature and how does it differ from true curvature?
True curvature of the legs develops in a person due to severe deformation of the bones of the lower leg. The reason for this may be a serious metabolic disorder, as well as a childhood illness such as rickets.
False curvature of the legs occurs due to a disproportionate distribution of muscle tissue with even skeletal bones. Thus, false curvature of the legs is not a disease or pathology at all. It does not cause harm to a person and is purely an aesthetic defect that can be easily eliminated with the help of exercises.
In what cases is surgery necessary?
Operational straightening of crooked legs can be used if exercises have not helped a person cope with his problem, and the curvature itself is in a rather advanced state.
Most often, the help of a surgeon is required when there is severe curvature of the legs, when a person has defects in the structure of bone tissue.
For this purpose, special orthopedic operations can be used (for example, installing an Ilizarov apparatus). Only a doctor can prescribe surgical intervention for false curvature of the legs, after a thorough examination.
How to correct depending on the type and degree of curvature
When selecting exercises to straighten your legs, you must take into account the degree of neglect of the curvature and its type.
Thus, to straighten O-shaped curvatures, you can use the following set of exercises:
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart, then bring your knees in and out without lifting your feet off the floor.
- Kneel down and spread your feet. Perform slow squats, touching the floor with your buttocks.
- Squat down slowly, bringing your knees together.
- Lying on your back, perform the scissors exercise.
For X-shaped curvatures, you can use the following exercises:
- Lie down and put your soles together, spreading your knees as far apart as possible.
- Sit down and spread your knees, pressing on them with your hands.
- Holding onto the support, pull your knee up.
How to straighten your legs: the best exercises to straighten your shins, the effectiveness of yoga and the nutrition you need
In general, it is possible to correct false curvature of the legs by pumping up the calves, but for this a person will have to put in a lot of patience and effort. At the same time, the exercises can be performed not only in the gym, but also at home. The main thing is to strictly follow the principle of performing training.
The best exercise for training your calf muscles is: in a sitting position, bring your legs together and place a weight on your feet. Slowly raise your legs, engaging your calf muscles. Repeat 20-30 times.
It is important to know that before training at home, you must warm up your calves with a massage. This will protect the person from injury. Also, when pumping up muscles, your toes should be turned outward and your heels should be kept together. This will enhance the effect of your training.
A set of exercises to correct false curvature of the legs
How to successfully straighten your legs largely depends on the initial neglect of the person’s condition.
At the same time, the most effective exercises to eliminate this deficiency are:
- Sit on the floor. Lean on your elbows and swing your legs to the sides.
- Lie down and bend your knees. Bring them together and spread them apart, using the muscles of the lower leg and thighs as much as possible.
- While standing, raise your leg bent at the knee. Hug her with both hands.
- Sitting, bring and spread your legs, while offering resistance with your hands.
Massage, running and swimming will help enhance the effect of these workouts.
Yoga
You can learn in detail how to straighten your legs from a traumatologist. At the same time, these specialists often advise patients to practice yoga as an auxiliary measure, since its exercises will really help improve the shape of the legs.
The Iyengar yoga complex includes special exercises using weights and belts. It is advisable to perform them under the guidance of an experienced yoga master.
The results of such training will not only straighten your legs, but also improve your posture and gait.
Nutrition for false curvature of the legs
When eliminating false curvature of the legs from the diet, it is recommended to eliminate those foods that negatively affect bone tissue and cartilage. Thus, a person should avoid eating spicy, salty and chocolate foods. Also strictly prohibited are alcohol, coffee, sausages, crab sticks and sweet pastries.
To strengthen bones, a person needs to eat a lot of fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir). Seafood, boiled fish and meat, jelly dishes, jellied fish and jellied meat will also be very healthy. Moreover, you can eat seaweed, cereals, butter, fish liver and yolks.
An illness associated with deformation of the joints of the lower extremities occurs equally in men and women. This problem causes the formation of aesthetic complexes or leads to deterioration of health.
Causes of curvature of legs
Often joint deformities are inherited due to national characteristics. Curvature of the limbs can be noticed at an early age. To correct the situation, you should consult a doctor to prevent worsening.
The reasons for the appearance of curvature of the legs include the following factors:
- rickets and its consequences arising due to unfavorable conditions during the child’s growth period;
- pathological processes in bone tissue, leading to thinning of the bone structure;
- incorrect postures while standing or sitting;
- playing certain sports in childhood or adolescence;
- disturbance of mineral metabolism;
- excess body weight, inactivity;
- weakness of the ligamentous apparatus;
- endocrine reasons.
Types of leg curvature
There are several types of deformation:
- True.
Changes when the femur and tibia are shaped like an arch. The main cause of this disease is a hereditary predisposition or a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. To correct the situation, a consultation with an orthopedist is necessary.
- False.
With a false curvature of the legs, the bone has the correct shape. The source of the problem is associated with impaired development of muscle tissue. The knees and ankle touch, creating a curvature at the ankle. The condition can be eliminated with a course of exercises.
- O-shaped, varus.
This defect has the appearance of an oval, since the disease starts from the hips and goes to the ankle joint. The knee joints do not touch each other.
- Valgus curvature, X-shaped.
A defect in which the knees are together but the ankles are not aligned. The legs look like the letter X.
Method for determining the type of curvature
To determine the shape of the limbs and identify possible violations, you must perform the following steps:
- stand straight in front of the mirror and bend your leg:
- if the knee has moved inward, this indicates an O-deformation;
- the kneecap has moved outward - a type of X-curvature;
- placing your hands on your waist (feet shoulder-width apart), do a squat:
- with an O-defect, the legs diverge to the sides;
- X-type – limbs are connected;
- the correct form is bending parallel to the feet.
To completely confirm or exclude the diagnosis, an x-ray must be taken. The condition of the bones determines the type and solution of the problem.
Correcting false curvature
This deformation does not cause harm to health and has only an aesthetic aspect. To correct the condition, you need to exercise, lose excess weight and build muscle tissue. With the right selection of exercises, cosmetic changes will gradually disappear. You can perform a set of exercises at home and in the gym.
True curvature
True curvature lies in a defect in the bones of the legs; sometimes it is difficult to cope with it only with the help of exercise therapy.
Surgery
There are two types of surgical operations:
A. Installation of the Ilizarov apparatus on the lower leg.
The procedure has fairly rapid progress, which is noticeable after 2 months. Operations can be performed from the age of 14. After removing the structure, loads are prohibited for several weeks. The technique is traditional and is used in most cases.
Possible complications:
- inflammation in soft tissues;
- infectious processes;
- the appearance of contracture;
- damage in the area of correction.
B. Plastic surgery – cruroplasty.
The operation is carried out using two methods:
- installation of an implant in the lower leg area of the desired shape;
- lipofilling from fat cells of the abdomen or buttocks.
The procedure takes place under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Rehabilitation lasts for 2 months; disadvantages include displacement of the implant and distortion of the shape of the legs. Sports activities are prohibited.
Massage
Massage sessions are important from birth to three years of age. The procedure will help correct crooked legs only in early childhood.
For adults, manual therapy and impact on the lower back are used if the essence of the defect lies in the sacral area. It will not be possible to completely remove the deformity, since the formed bone tissue is difficult to massage.
Straightening on the simulator
The principle of the technique is horizontal traction of the spinal column and lower extremities.
Regular practice helps in relieving muscle spasms caused by curvature, restoring blood flow and noticeably lengthening the lower leg.
Correction belts
The procedure consists of fastening the legs at several points with special belts and performing prescribed exercises in this manner.
Manual fix
The technique allows you to eliminate defects:
- knees that are too close or apart;
- O – figurative deformation;
- curvature of the femur.
Restoring functions in the knee joints:
- It is necessary to pat the areas of the meniscus every day for a minute with a bag filled with a granular substance (salt or sand): on the inside for an O-defect, on the outside for an X-type.
- It is worth striking with a gradual increase in force twice a day.
Correction of shin curvature:
- The exercise is performed in the same way - by tapping on defective areas. The essence of the technique is to cause microtrauma and improve blood flow and metabolic phenomena. After the impacts there is a visual improvement.
Elimination of femoral bone defect:
- Sit on a chair and intensely squeeze a small ball between your thighs.
With this exercise, muscle tissue grows.
The effect of the exercises occurs after about 6 months.
Yoga
Gymnastics is used to strengthen muscle strength. Elimination of deformation is carried out by a set of special asanas that relax areas of tightness.
Visual effect
Procedures for eliminating curvature of the legs are quite lengthy, so you can correct the cosmetic defect using the following tricks:
- Overlays.
Special silicone devices are attached to the lower leg, and then tights or tight pants are put on.
- Cloth.
A properly selected piece of clothing can correct the problem and visually straighten your legs. For everyday wear, you should wear pants with flares from the hip, boots with wide tops, dresses and skirts of maximum length to the ankles.
A set of exercises for correcting O-legs
The following activities will help you make your limbs straight:
- walking on the inner and outer sides of the foot, lifting on the toes and moving on the heels when lowering;
- running with high legs;
- squat;
- plie (socks and knees pointing in different directions);
- abduction to the side with one leg, alternately standing at a support, you can use a sports elastic band;
- raise straight legs one by one;
- placing each leg forward in turn with a squat (the weight shift should fall on the heel area);
- scissors exercise;
- reduction and connection of the limbs in a lying position.
Do gymnastics at least 3 times a week, after warming up the muscles with a warm-up.
Exercises to correct X-legs
A simple set of exercises to make your legs straighter:
- walking on the outer part of the foot, on the knees;
- abduction of the limbs to the side with the foot stretched towards you;
- lunges left and right;
- squatting with a ball pressed between the thighs;
- static exercises;
- lying on your stomach, make a “butterfly”: connect your feet and spread your knees to the sides. Hold on for 5-10 minutes.
If you have an X-shaped defect, it is useful to go swimming or cycling.
Exercise therapy for varus deformity
A set of exercises to correct curvature of the legs:
- walking on the heels, the inner part of the sole;
- quickly raising your knees up and landing on your toes;
- squatting (knee joints together);
- swing to the side at the support;
- raising straight limbs while lying on your side;
- “scissors” sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall;
- pedal, simulating cycling;
- connecting and separating legs while lying on your back;
- cross twine.
Exercises for hallux valgus
Sample list of activities:
- walking on the outer arches of the sole;
- knee walking;
- swing to the sides with pointed toes;
- side lunges;
- squat as low as possible with the ball against the wall;
- sitting in a “Turkish” position, press on the knee joints or try to reach them to the floor;
- lying on your stomach, bring your feet together and spread your legs to the sides.
All exercises should be performed several times a week. If you experience pain or other unpleasant sensations, you should report them to your doctor. After classes, it is useful to take a warm bath, adding essential oil to the water.
Exercises for a child
Defects in a child should be corrected before the age of seven. It is necessary to combine regular massage courses with gymnastics.
Walking
Walk around the room first on your toes, then on the inside and outside of your feet. For the best effect, perform the exercise with the ball clamped between your legs.
Lying down
Lie on your back, lower limbs shoulder-width apart, feet turned inward.
Clench and unclench your fingers several times. Then connect your feet and imitate clapping.
On knees
Leaning on the palms and knee joints, the child pulls the leg back, straightening the toe.
On the stomach
Bend your knees so that your heels touch your buttocks.
Prevention
To prevent curvature, several rules should be followed:
- Regular walks in the park area, getting enough vitamin D for development.
- Timeliness of skills - you should not accustom your child to early crawling or walking, as weak muscle and ligamentous apparatus lead to changes in the shape of the lower leg.
- Balanced diet.
- Classes in the pool.
To correct false curvature, you should follow the recommendations:
- Don't sleep on your stomach. In this position, the back is under tension, and this is reflected in the length of the lower limbs.
- Do not cross your legs over each other while sitting on a chair.
- Stand straight.
- Avoid walking in high, narrow or uncomfortable shoes.
- Timely treatment of diseases.
- Doing exercises regularly.
- Proper nutrition, enriched with vitamins and minerals.
- Exercise in the pool or cycling.
Elimination of curvature of the lower extremities is not a quick process, and if defects are suspected in a child, it is necessary to begin correcting them without delaying a trip to the doctor.
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