UAMS-led Project Brings Homeless New Shoes

By David Robinson

Ruth Thomas, M.D., a UAMS orthopaedic surgeon, is in her third year of organizing the annual event.  Ruth Thomas, M.D., a UAMS orthopaedic surgeon, is in her third year of organizing the annual event. David King, an orthopaedic cast technician at UAMS, says the staff is particularly aware of screening for diabetes-related foot problems.
David King, an orthopaedic cast technician at UAMS, says the staff is particularly aware of screening for diabetes-related foot problems.
Nearly 200 pairs of durable shoes were donated, and socks and other volunteers were provided by Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory.
Nearly 200 pairs of durable shoes were donated, and socks and other volunteers were provided by Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory.

The staff of volunteers provided nearly 200 pairs of shoes and foot exams for patients.

 

Nov. 22, 2010 | Stepping into a comfortable, properly fit new pair of shoes is a luxury many people can’t afford.

But thanks to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), more of central Arkansas’ homeless today are walking taller and with healthier feet adorned with brand-new kicks.

For the third year, doctors, nurses and volunteers from the UAMS Department of Orthopaedics provided foot exams Nov. 17, along with new shoes and socks, for a large crowd of homeless people in central Arkansas at River City Ministry in North Little Rock.

“There’s no doubt what we’re doing improves their daily lives and can help them get back to work and functioning properly on their feet,” said Ruth Thomas, M.D., a UAMS orthopaedic surgeon.

Thomas, a veteran of international mission work, two years ago began coordinating the annual event when she was approached by orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon Stephen Conti, M.D., of Pittsburgh, who was looking for someone to spearhead a program in Arkansas.

Conti’s teenage children, Matthew and Laura, founded the national organization Our Hearts to Your Soles in 2004 to coordinate shoe giveaways and foot exams for homeless people across the country.

Our Hearts to Your Soles works in partnership with Soles4Souls, an international charity that collects and distributes new and gently worn shoes to needy people around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has given away nearly 12 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in more than 125 countries, including Kenya, Thailand and Nepal.

As done in previous years, current and former UAMS employees worked with the staff of River City Ministry in North Little Rock to organize the foot care clinic and shoe fitting. Nearly 200 pairs of durable shoes were donated, and socks and other volunteers were provided by Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory.

In addition to Thomas, other UAMS orthopaedic surgeons provided exams and offered recommendations on how to care for the feet. Nurses and technicians trimmed nails and treated calluses, while orthotists measured each person’s feet to ensure they received properly sized shoes.

Thomas said the main foot-related concerns for homeless people are calluses and fungal infections of the skin and toenails.

“The importance of having sturdy, well-fit shoes is that it will hopefully keep them from developing foot problems in the future,” Thomas said. “We’ve been lucky to not have seen any major problems so far, but some of the things we do see could eventually lead to more serious issues if not properly treated.”

David King, an orthopaedic cast technician at UAMS, says the staff is particularly aware of screening for diabetes-related foot problems.

“We try to ask each person right away, especially if there are warning signs present, if he is diabetic,” King said. “We look specifically for blisters or rubbing or calluses, because those are things that can lead people with diabetes to ultimately have to deal with amputations if they’re not appropriately addressed right away.”

Thomas said while the volunteers treated patients, the need for continued medical care also was addressed with those who required it.

“This is a blessing,” said Charles Robinson, one of the men treated. “I don’t even know when the last time was that I got a new pair of shoes that fit right. This is truly a blessing.”