According to an American Podiatric Medical Association survey, 76 percent of Americans said they spend more than four hours each day on their feet. The same percentage said they had foot problems in the last 12 months.
The survey also showed that more women complain that their feet hurt all the time.
Foot pain is caused by a wide variety of things, including:
- Arthritis
- Bone spurs, which are sharp pains in the heel, sole, and toes and are generally caused by activities that involve strenuous foot-pounding.
- Bunions
- Calluses
- Corns
- Fallen arches
- Gout, which commonly occurs in the big toe, causing it to become red, swollen, and very tender.
- Ingrown toenails
- Morton's neuroma (characterized by sharp or burning pain in the ball of the foot, which may go into the toes) is less common but is also often caused by wearing tight-fitting shoes.
- Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the connective tissue on the sole of the foot)
- Sprains
- Stress fractures of the metatarsal bones
- Warts
- Wearing improper shoes or extensive use of the feet.
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| Records indicate that amputations and other forms of surgery due to infections of the feet, many brought about by diabetes, have been significantly reduced in recent years because of early diagnosis and treatment. Further reduction in this area is a goal of Healthy People 2010, a US Department of Health and Human Services campaign endorsed by podiatric physicians, to encourage understanding and application of preventive medical practices. |
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