FOOTCARE Common Foot Ailments Diabetes And Footcare Footcare Professionals Products Available OnLine

FOOTCARE
The foot is an intricate structure designed for strength and flexibility. Each foot contains:

Our feet work very hard to keep us on the go. With every step, they must absorb shock and adjust to any uneven surfaces we may encounter. To withstand this punishment, our feet must remain flexible and strong.

There are three main points in the foot that bear most of our weight while walking. When we take a step, we start with the heel, moving to the outside of the foot then pushing off with the base of the big toe.

In one lifetime the average person will have walked the equivalent of twice around the world. Most people take 10 - 15,000 steps a day, and by the age of 40 will have walked about 64,000 kilometers (40,000 miles). Thus it's no wonder we suffer so many foot problems.

More than 75% of us will experience some type of foot problem in our lives.

COMMON FOOT AILMENTS

Corns and Calluses: Areas of thickened skin caused by friction and pressure from skin rubbing against bone areas when wearing shoes. If the first signs of soreness are ignored, corns, and calluses rise up as natures way of protecting sensitive areas. For safe at-home treatment, apply unmedicated cushions to protect affected areas. If pain persists, see a podiatrist.

Athlete's Foot: A fungal infection that usually starts between the toes. This may cause itching or burning sensations. Keeping your feet dry is the best way to keep Athlete's Foot in order, as fungus spreads in warm, moist areas. Be extra careful when drying between your toes. Use a foot powder to help feet stay drier throughout the day.

Bunions: A bunion, an unsightly deformity at the big toe joint, causes the big toe itself to slant outward at an angle. The front of the foot becomes swollen and tender while the skin around the bunion thickens. Wide shoes should be worn with a protective cushion covering the affected area.

Heel Spurs: A heel spur is a partial or complete tear or stretching in the arch ligament at the bottom of the foot. This results in pain at the base of the heel, along with swelling and inflammation. Heels are usually very stiff and sore to walk on in the morning.

Hammer Toe: The toes begin to form like a hook or claw. Shoes that cramp the toes may bring on the development of hammer toes. Properly fitted shoes with a lot of toe room is recommended.

DIABETES AND FOOTCARE

People with diabetes are susceptible to more severe and prolonged difficulties, thus they must pay extra attention to their feet.

Important things to be aware of during daily foot care:

FOOTCARE PROFESSIONALS

Chiropodist (D.Ch.): These foot specialists have three years of training in the diagnosis and treatment of foot problems and patient education foot care. They do assessments, design custom- made orthotics-, and prescribe exercises. This is a conservative approach and no referral is necessary. Chiropody services are free in hospitals across Ontario and some community health care centers. This fee structure differs per province.

Podiatrist (D.P.M.): Podiatrists have four years of training. Their service is similar to that of a chiropodist, but they also perform surgery on bony areas of the forefoot. In Canada, all procedures are performed in offices (podiatrists are not physicians).

Pedorthist: A technician who modifies shoes according to doctor's prescriptions; also makes orthotic devices for feet.

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