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Podiatry

WE are each born with a perfect pair, but by the time they reach the age of 65, half the adult population in the UK will have some sort of problem with their feet.

It could simply be corns and callouses or something more serious that literally cripples them.

Podiatry is the new name for chiropody and covers all aspects of foot care and gait problems.

Head of Podiatry Services with the Mancunian Community Health Trust is Elizabeth Salem who works from the Foot Hospital at Rusholme Health Centre, one of the largest and best equipped in the country.

She said: ''Sadly most people simply ignore their feet until they begin to hurt. In this country we do not have much of a summer to show them off so they spend a lot of time stuffed into nylon and then into shoes which are often damp. These are ripe conditions for problems to develop.

''But however people view feet - and strangely some people don't like them!- they should treasure them throughout their life and make an effort to look after them.''

Potential problems

Childhood
Tight baby-grows and sleep-suits that are too small can deform babies feet, crushing delicate toes.

If they are too good to throw out simply cut off the foot of the suit and put loose socks on instead. Some toddlers show gait problems where their foot rolls inward or their toes curl too far under. Both can be treated. Ask your GP or health visitor for a referral to see a podiatry specialist.

Schoolchildren
Verrucaes are the scourge of schooldays.

Basically they are warts that grow on the underside of the foot.

They used to be cut out, but the advice nowadays is simply to leave them. They can take a long time to clear and you should be wary of cross infection.

If a child with a verruca goes swimming they should wear a special sock. Water is a carrier of the spore so be aware of the risk in the bathroom at home.

Buy children cheap flip-flops to wear while walking round the changing rooms or the pool, so feet are not in contact with potential contamination.

If verrucaes are very painful they can be frozen with hydrogen. Ask your GP.

Ideally schoolchildren should have two pairs of shoes to wear on alternate days, but that is not always financially possible.

So have your child's feet measured and buy leather shoes. Encourage your child to remove shoes when they come home from school, and even better take off socks or tights as well, to allow feet to breathe.

Trainers are considered to be good footwear for kids because they are supportive, and well cushioned

Teenage
In-growing toe-nails can be the big problem as teenagers try to trim their own. Nails should always be trimmed straight across using special nail clippers. Gently file the sides if wanted but DO NOT cut down.

Fungal infections like athletes foot are another problem. Follow the advice above to change shoes and always make sure you dry feet thoroughly. Traumatic injuries like shin splints can affect feet and should be treated professionally.

Mid-life
More serious problems like bunions and corns or ulcers on the base of the foot can develop now. They are most often caused by ill-fitting shoes.

While problems up to the early teens can be easily corrected it takes more time as we get older. Advice is simple, if your shoes hurt, then do not wear them.

Again try to change shoes daily. But if you are constantly getting sores underneath your feet you may have a gait problem rather than a shoe problem. An expert podiatrist will be able to diagnose.

Elderly
Painful feet can lead to unsteadiness and a loss of confidence. The elderly often develop very thick toe nails, one curled into the next, and instead of seeking help, simply buy bigger shoes.

But thick nails, callouses and in-growing toe-nails can all be treated swiftly. The only treatment for bad bunions is surgery. The excess bone that forms at the base of the big toe is cut away and the toe re-aligned.

It is a relatively simple operation but needs lengthy recuperation, with generally good results.

Diabetics
Need to be aware of how their condition can affect their feet. Regular annual check-ups are a must but so is daily self-checking.

Elizabeth Salem said: ''Look after your feet and they will carry you all your life.

''The best advice is daily washing and careful drying, wearing shoes appropriate for the occasion and changing your shoes daily.''

Add to that an occasional pedicure - men and women - and you too could learn to love your feet!

If you have problems with your feet and want help, make sure you go to a state registered chiropodist.

Links

Contact numbers

Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists: 020 7486 3381