Ever since Darwin [1], bipedal walking has been considered the defining feature of the human lineage. However, how and why this unique form of locomotion evolved remains the subject of considerable debate. In particular, debates over the origins and evolution of bipedalism revolve around whether early bipeds walked with energetically economical human-like extended limb biomechanics, or with more costly ape-like bent-knee, bent-hip (BKBH) kinematics [2]. If early hominins used a BKBH gait, then we must account for the persistence of an energetically costly form of bipedal walking until the evolution of the genus Homo. The Laetoli footprints may help resolve this debate, since they record the footsteps of at least two, and possibly three individuals who walked bipedally across wet ashfall approximately 3.6 million years ago [3], [4]. These prints represent the earliest direct evidence of bipedalism in the fossil record, yet no study to date has demonstrated exactly how these hominins walked.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0009769

Many years previous. Anyone over 65 yrs was entitled to free NHS Podiatry. However things now have changed due to increased demands and an ageing society and in order to recieve free NHS footcare one is required to be Diabetic ,in some cases this assessed or limited to severe or high risk patients, or have reduced circulation to the lower extremities.

Children can recieved free Podiatric assessments if they have deformity and if it threatens their quality of life or ability to walk.

More info here on NHS Podiatry services.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1099.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=154

Trainig for Podiatrist in the UK is a Bsc Podiatry degree and registered with the Health Professions Council

Gout is an inflammatory arthritic condition that occurs when urate crystals accumulate in joints and other tissues.

It is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men with an overall prevalence in UK general practices of 1.4%. Both the incidence and prevalence increase with age.

More than 7% of men aged over 65 years and around 2.3% of women aged over 65 years in the UK are affected. The male:female ratio is at least 4:1, women being affected less frequently than men because of the uricosuric effect of estrogens.

Population studies from both the Mayo Clinia and from Taiwan have shown significant increases in the prevalence of gout compared with 20 years ago. This may be partly explained by increased life span, obesity and use of diuretics.

Pathogenesis
Hyperuricaemia develops either due to over production or under excretion of uric acid. Asymptomatic hyperuricaemia is common and can persist for many years before gout occurs. In patients at risk of developing gout, an acute attack may be precipitated by acute illness, excessive eating, heavy alcohol intake, dehydration, rapid weight loss or recent surgery.

The majority of patients go on to have recurrent flares; 62% within one year and 89% within five years. When untreated, advanced gout develops causing damage and deformity at multiple joints, the development of large tophi and in some cases renal stone formation. Advanced polyarticular tophaceous gout can mimic severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Risk factors
The risk factors for gout can be divided into modifiable and non-modifiable. The non-modifiable risk factors for gout are age, sex, race, genetic factors and chronic renal failure. There is a familial tendency and 30% of patients have at least one relative with gout. In the UK Health Improvement Network (THIN)⁵ study risk factors for gout were evaluated .

Hyperuricaemia is the strongest modifiable risk factor for gout. The incidence of recurrent gout attacks is strongly related to serum uric acid (sUA) concentration. Reduction of sUA to ≤0.36 mmol/l eventually results in prevention of future gout attacks.

Obesity is not only a risk factor but is associated with an earlier onset of gout. In the CLUE II study the mean age of gout onset was 3.1 years earlier in those who were obese at baseline and 11 years earlier in participants who were obese at age 21.

http://www.mycme.com/managing-gout/material/715/2320/

Nasa scientists believe they have found a way to spot osteoporosis bone loss at the earliest disease stages.

Currently, the condition can go undetected for years and may only be diagnosed with scans after weakening of the bones has led to a fracture.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18240047

www.stephenkitepractice.co.uk

Abstact

Metatarsalgia is a type of pain that occurs in the ball of the foot, also called the metatarsal region.

The pain can range from mild to severe and often gets worse when you stand or move. It is sometimes described as a burning or aching sensation and you may have shooting pains, tingling or numbness in your toes. Some people also experience a sensation that feels like walking on pebbles.

The pain often occurs in the area where the second, third and fourth toes meet the ball of the foot.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/metatarsalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

stephenkitepractice.co.uk

Abstract

Observed gait abnormalities are often related to a variety of foot deformities such as the cavus foot, also known as pes cavus, cavovarus, uncompensated varus, and the high arched foot. When gait abnormalities related to cavus foot deformities produce symptoms or contribute to dysfunctional movement of the lower extremity, foot orthotics are commonly used to accommodate the deformity and optimize the function of the lower extremity. In more severe cases, surgical intervention is common. Hypomobility of the many joints of the foot and ankle may be mistaken as an idiopathic cavus foot deformity. As for any other limb segment suspected of musculoskeletal dysfunction, it is suggested that joint mobility testing and mobilization, if indicated, be attempted on the foot and ankle joints before assuming the presence of a bony cavus deformity. The purpose of this clinical suggestion is to describe the use of osteopathic manipulations of the foot and ankle in the context of an illustrative case of bilateral idiopathic cavus feet to demonstrate that apparent foot deformities may actually be joint hypomobility dysfunctions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2953346/

www.stephenkitepractice.co.uk

So call minimal shoes / trainers that mimic to effects of barefoot running and their claims are to be taken in the contex. i.e that running barefoot over concrete or track is not going to mimic barefoot running as it was intended by nature in that nature provided us with feet for running over soft earth and sand not concrete.  Many thousands of years ago when our African ancestors were walking / running  barefoot it was over soil, and sand. There weren’t that many overweight / healthy strapping people back then, who were running to keep their weight down they were a lot lighter on their feet and they were running to hunt.

A lawsuit against Skechers will prevent the company from making health-related claims about their Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, and the Skechers Resistance Runner athletic shoes, which (surprise!) do not help you lose weight, tone muscles or fight heart disease without even going to the gym. More important, it will prevent customers from committing crimes against fashion.

Lose your shoes: Is barefoot better?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/skechers-lawsuit-a-farewell-to-clunky-shoes/2012/05/17/gIQA8r88VU_blog.html

www.stephenkitepractice.co.uk