Basic Foot Facts
Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and associated tendons.- The 52 bones in your feet account for approximately 25% of the total number of bones in your body.
- Women experience 4 times as many foot problems as men.
- During running each foot is subjected to 3 to 4 times your body weight.
- 75% of Americans will experience foot health problems of various degrees throughout the course of their lives.
- The average person will walk nearly 115,000 miles during the course of their lifetime.
A Complex Structure
The human foot is a strong and complex biological structure.
The feet support tremendous daily pressure from standing, walking and running. Not surprisingly, this hard working part of the body is the most frequently injured. Unfortunately, it is also the part of the body most neglected for proper care and medical attention.
Foot Problems
Foot ailments are numerous in all age groups. They may involve infections, overuse, traumatic injury and disease. Some conditions may result from heredity, but often they are from daily abuse and neglect.
Persistent or recurring foot problems and pain should not be ignored. Often, treatment can restore function for a higher quality of life. Sometimes foot pain, tenderness and/or swelling can be signs of more serious underlying conditions. The foot can be a mirror of the body’s overall health. Conditions such as diabetes, circulatory disorders, anemia, arthritis and kidney problems can often present themselves first in the foot.
Specialized Treatment Required
Podiatry is the only medical specialty solely dedicated to the science of the foot and ankle. A doctor of podiatric medicine is an important part of your overall healthcare team, providing regular preventive care, necessary treatment or surgery. Podiatrists diagnosis and treat all manner of foot conditions including neurological, circulatory, skin, and the musculoskeletal system. Serious health conditions are often diagnosed first by podiatrists who refer patients to other medical specialists.
Top Ten Foot Health Tips |
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| 1. | Don't ignore foot pain—it's not normal. If the pain persists, see a podiatric physician. |
| 2. | Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling on the soles of feet could indicate athlete's foot. Any growth on the foot is not considered normal. |
| 3. | Wash your feet regularly, especially between the toes, and be sure to dry them completely. |
| 4. | Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails. Persons with diabetes, poor circulation, or heart problems should not treat their own feet because they are more prone to infection. |
| 5. | Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Purchase new shoes later in the day when feet tend to be at their largest and replace worn out shoes as soon as possible. |
| 6. | Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e., running shoes for running). |
| 7. | Alternate shoes—don't wear the same pair of shoes every day. |
| 8. | Avoid walking barefooted—your feet will be more prone to injury and infection. At the beach or when wearing sandals, always use sunblock on your feet just as on the rest of your body. |
| 9. | Be cautious when using home remedies for foot ailments; self-treatment can often turn a minor problem into a major one. |
| 10. | If you are a person with diabetes, it is vital that you see a podiatric physician at least once a year for a check-up. |
