The foot is an extremely intricate masterpiece

It consists of 28 bones, muscles, ligaments, arteries, veins and nerves.  It is designed to absorb the forces of running, walking, and jumping, lessening the burden on the knees, hips, and back.  Our feet serve such an important purpose in our every day lives, yet we often neglect them.  We stuff them in socks and shoes, and forget about them for most of the day.  So how do we keep our feet healthy?  Here are a few tips…

·         Don’t ignore that pain.  Pain is not normal, especially when it is in your feet.  If you are having foot pains, contact a podiatric physician.

·         Take the time to inspect your feet.  Check for any recent changes in color, thickening of nails, cuts, scrapes, or anything else that may seem a little “funny” or “new”.  Many times these changes can be indicative of disease or abnormality, and it is usually much easier to treat them early rather than wait for the problem to progress.

·         Wash your feet thoroughly and regularly, especially on the soles and in between the toes.  Be sure to dry them well before putting on socks or shoes. 

·         When trimming your toenails, be careful!  Cut them straight across, but don’t dig into the sides of the nail.  This can lead to ingrown toenails and infection.  People with diabetes should have their feet cared for by a podiatric physician, as this condition makes a person much more susceptible to infection.

·         Wear shoes that fit properly.  Shoes that slide around on the foot can lead to blisters and hot spots.  As a general rule of thumb, try on new shoes later in the day, when the feet are a bit larger than in the morning.  This way, you will know if the shoe is going to be too tight.  Replace old shoes that are worn out, and always wear the appropriate shoe for any physical activity that you are doing. 

·         Avoid walking barefoot, especially outside.  Walking barefoot opens the door to injury and infection.  Walking barefoot on hard surfaces, such as a wood or tile floor, over extended periods of time can lead to heel pain or plantar fasciitis.  Try a lightweight shoe or slipper when walking around the house. 

·         If you have diabetes, make an appointment to see a podiatric physician at least once a year.  A regular check-up can avoid all kinds of complications due to diabetes.  If you need help finding a podiatric physician, you can use the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Find a Physician tool. 

Follow these tips, and help to keep your feet happy and healthy!

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com