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SECTION 28 * PREVENTION OF ILLNESS. CARE AND AFTER CARE
Foot Clinic
The increasing number of geriatrics requiring treatment and the necessity of keeping
them ambulant has for some time been given serious consideration by Chiropodists.
The undesirability of continual padding on skins devitalized by circulatory disorders
to disturbances has long been recognised,, Some form of permanent protective padding was
sought. Replaceable pads held in position by an elastic band would not be suitable in
many cases:-
(a) danger of restricting an already feeble blood
supply;
(b) a large number of old people would be unable to put them
on, due to inability to stoop, or if they did manage to
put them on they might not be in the correct position
and would increase pressure where it should be relieved.
Various methods have been used, some complicated, involving taking plaster casts
and making elaborate appliances of varying types. Other and more simple ways required
only the taking of an impression of the foot on weight, bearing in such a way that
pressure points were clearly shown
Arrangements were made for visits to be made to the London Foot Hospital and
later to a L.C.C. Clinic at Greenwich to compare the different techniques.
As a result we began the making of semi-permanent pads in July So far we have
fitted 100 patients with insoles, each one cut and shaped to the requirements of each
foot.
The cost has worked out at 3s, l¼d per patient, of which 2s,6d. is recovered when
the insole is issued.
Successful results have been obtained in approximately 85% of the cases selected,
so much so, that padding has been discontinued with a consequent saving in material.
I have discussed the results with various people, all of whom agree that 85% success
is a very high and satisfactory figure.

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