Foot Facts

Foot Facts

Foot ailments are among the most common of our health problems, yet are often the direct result of a lifetime of abuse and neglect. Many serious foot problems can be cured or at least managed, but they often go untreated because people mistakenly believe that discomfort and pain are normal. Here are just a few of the many reasons why it's important to see your Podiatrist for regular checkups...

The average person will walk 115,000 miles in his/her lifetime. 75% of Americans will experience foot problems at some time in their lives.
Women are three times more likely to experience foot problems than men. Certain conditions, if untreated, can cause painful foot deformities which must be corrected surgically.
The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Each step exerts a pressure as much as three to four times a person's body weight on the feet. During an average day of walking, the total forces on your feet can total hundreds of tons. Your Podiatrist can help your feet remain healthy and pain-free despite hard use.
Diabetics are especially vulnerable to serious foot problems because of the reduced circulation and diminished sensitivity to foot pain which often accompanies Diabetes. If not properly cared for, even small problems like cuts or cracks can develop into serious conditions such as ulcers or even gangrene.
Several systemic diseases are sometimes first detected in the feet. Included are Kaposi's Sarcoma, an AIDS-related illness; diabetes, certain circulatory disorders, anemia, and kidney problems. Gout, a particularly painful and debilitating form of Arthritis, often attacks the foot joints first.
Hereditary deformities, if diagnosed early enough, can often be corrected or managed in a way which will prevent them from becoming crippling conditions later in life. For this reason it is especially important that your children's feet be professionally assessed at birth.
Even simple ailments like corns and calluses, if improperly diagnosed and treated, can lead to severe discomfort. Improper or inappropriate use of home remedies, or even over-the-counter medications, can turn a small problem into a big one, or worse yet, mask the symptoms of a more serious condition.