.:: Foot Facts

1.Podiatric Physicians (Podiatrists) are the only medical professionals who exclusively specialize in treating the foot and ankle.

2. The foot is an intricate structure containing 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons hold the structure together and allow it to move.

3. Only a small percentage of the population is born with foot problems. It's neglect, a lack of awareness of proper foot care, ill-fitting shoes and a lifetime of wear and tear that cause the pain and problems.

4. The Podiatrist (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, or DPM) is the health care professional trained in the care of your feet. He or she receives conventional medical training, plus special training on the foot, ankle, and lower leg. . About 5 percent of the population has corns or calluses each year.

6. Corns and calluses are caused by friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bony areas when wearing shoes.

7. There are about four times as many women with foot problems as men.  The high heel shoes that women often wear may be the culprit.

8. Seventy-five percent of population  will experience foot health problems  at one time or another in their lives.

9. Shopping for shoes is best done in the afternoon or evening because your feet tend to swell during the day. When you try on shoes, try them on both feet. Many people have one foot larger than the other; and it's best to fit the larger one.

10. About 5 percent of the  population has ingrown toenails or other toenail problems each year.

11. As people age, the need to see a Podiatrist increases

12. Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation and contributing to weight control.

13. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet. Foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems.

14. When you're walking that the pressure on your feet exceeds your body weight. When you're running, the pressure can be three or four times your weight.

15. About 5 percent of the population has foot infections, including athlete's foot, other fungal infections, and warts each year.

17. The Average person takes between 8,000 and 10,000 steps a day. This is over 100,000 miles in a lifetime.

18. The general rule is to trim your toenails straight across and leave them slightly longer than the tips of your toes. If you must round the corners, try not to dig to deep or break the skin because this may cause an infection.

19. The 52 bones that are in your feet make up approximately one quarter of all the bones in your body.

20. There are approximately 125,000 sweat glands on each foot. Together, they excrete as much as 8 ounces of moisture each day.

21. Plantar warts are caused by a virus which enters the sole of the foot through cuts and breaks in the skin. Walking barefoot on pavement, sidewalks and even grass can expose feet to this sometimes painful skin infection.

22. About 6 percent of the  population has foot injuries, bunions, and flat feet or fallen arches each year.

23. Approximately 60 percent of all foot and ankle injuries, reported by the US population over age 17, were sprains and strains of the ankle.