PAINFUL FEET:  CONGENITAL INSUFFICIENCY OF THE FIRST METATARSAL SEGMENT AS A CAUSE AMONG SOLDIERS RECENTLY INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY

A surprisingly large number of soldiers who have been recently inducted into the Army develop the complaint of "painful feet" during the period of their basic training. Fortunately, most of these symptoms are due to minor functional strains from the physical conditioning program. These respond very well to the treatment of the battalion or dispensary surgeon with rest and conservative management. The more severe cases are referred to the Orthopedic Clinic, and in a large training camp hospital they can be divided into two groups: (1) traumatic lesions of the feet, severe strains, sprains and fractures, and (2) postural foot disorders and skeletal abnormalities. This second group generally requires the most careful diagnosis and prompt treatment if men thus affected are to be salvaged for some useful type of military service.

THE FIRST METATARSAL SEGMENT  A frequently unrecognized and undiagnosed cause of foot pain in the new soldier is a