FOOT TROUBLES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1938, Page 4

FOOT TROUBLES

One of the penalties of modern conditions is that so many of us have prolonged standing as a part' of our occupation. This tends to cause flat feet and varicose veins.

Flat foot really means that the natural muscles and ligaments that preserve the arch of the foot give way under the weight of the body and the arch flattens out. In the early stages this is accompanied by considerable pain, especially at the insertion of the arch under the heel and under the ball of the toes. When flat foot has been in existence for a long time, the foot becomes completely flat. There is no longer any strain on the arch, and the condition becomes painless. In this last stage the foot comes in contact with the ground over a large area, and the print of a wet foot shows a marked projection on the inner side of the foot.

The most important thing is the prevention of flat foot. Those whose occupation involves much standing should keep the feet warm, comfortable, and dry. This maintains the circulation and prevents the weakening of the arch. Thick socks or tennis socks should be worn in cold weather. The fashion of turning out the toes for walking contributes to the weakening of the arches. Savage races and children, when walking naturally, point the feet straight ahead, and this is the proper and natural method. Daily exercise of the muscles and joints of the feet is important. The best exercises are walking On tip-toe and with the feet together, raising oneself to tip-toe and back to the flat position. If the condition has already started, as shown by pain, the usual practice is to wear arch supports. These certainly relieve the pain, but inevitably cause further weakening of the arches. The best treatment at this stage is to weal' shoes with a shallow strip of leather nailed under the sole just in front of the ball of the big toe, and j to have the heel broad and cut away I so that the inner side is a quarter I to three-eighths of an inch higher: than the outer side. This throws the i weight slightly on to the outside of ■ the foot, and takes the strain of! the’ arch. This, combined wtih pointing the toes straight ahead and tip-toe l exercises, would check and cure the' complaint at this stage.