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Physiotherapy Clinic

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2017

Nopany Institute of Healthcare Studies (NIHS) since the beginning of its inception, has been striving very hard to spread the awareness and importance of Physiotherapy and matching steps with the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT); NIHS adopts the theme of the WCPT every year and conducts program to spread good health and fitness in the society. The campaign message of World Physical Therapy Day 2017 is “Physical activity for life”, showing how physical therapists can help keep people of all ages active. This is an opportunity for physical therapists from all over the world to raise awareness about the crucial contribution of the Physiotherapy profession to keep people well, mobile and independent. Physiotherapists can demonstrate how physical activity and interventions can maximise strength and mobility. Through advice and exercise programs, physical therapists support people of all ages to achieve activity goals.

It has been found that total 5% of the school going children in the age group of 6-10 years have flat foot problem. Research suggests that obese and overweight children are maybe more likely to have flat foot than those with ideal weight . Arches of the feet, function as stable weight bearing support to the body during standing and act as efficient levers to propel the body weight forward during walking. Children with flat feet or other feet impairments may develop foot pain and find it slightly difficult to undertake various activities like running and jumping.

So this year Nopany Institute of Healthcare Studies decided to conduct a feet survey of primary school children in the capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata. As far as we are aware no such survey has been conducted in India and this will be the first of its kind. When school authorities of different schools were approached, they were extremely excited about this kind of a survey as they felt that there was a need for it but had never thought it could be done in this manner. The survey is named ‘Happy Feet’ and posters with smiling animated feet are placed in standees so that the children do not feel intimidated. The plan is to screen the primary section (age 6-10 years) of each school.

The first ‘Happy Feet’ survey was conducted on 8th September in an extremely reputed private school of Kolkata. 350 children were assessed for their current foot size, foot posture, biomechanics and any foot deformities (calcaneal valgus and varus, hallux valgus and pronated and supinated feet, flat feet). The recommended shoe size was also noted to compare whether the children were wearing the correct shoe size. It was decided that the findings would be conveyed to the school authorities who would then convey the same to the parents. This was due to the privacy issues of the child in school. A generic exercise handout will also be provided to children with feet issues to stretch and strengthen relevant lower limb muscle/s. The aim is to raise awareness about early intervention in foot care.

The assessment was conducted in 7 stations. Each child had to attend all 7 stations:

  • Station 1 – Registration
  • Station 2 – Body weight
  • Station 3 – Height measurement
  • Station 4 – Questions on previous or present injury to the foot
  • Station 5 – Assessment of foot posture, skin and nail assessment
  • Station 6 – Foot size measurement using BRANNOCK device
  • Station 7 – Exit

All the stations were managed by trained student volunteers and supervised by Senior Physiotherapists. From the time a child entered the registration section at Station 1, to the exit station 7, it took around 2 minutes which was fairly efficient in terms of time.

NIHS Team during the camp - HAPPY FEET

Foot size measurement using Brannock Device

This survey will serve two purpose: (1) Data about the number of children in Urban Indian cities who have feet problems (2) Early intervention at an early age which may help in the prevention of future complications.

Prof. Shabnam Agarwal. Director NIHS along with the student Volunteers

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