Getting to know your feetGetting to Know Your Feet

Objectives

Participants will:Describe general foot anatomy facts

Identify common conditions that can affect the feet

List common foot health tips

Anatomy of the Foot

Foot Facts

The human foot contains: 26 bones 33 joints 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments 250,000 sweat glandsHundreds of thousands of miles of blood

vessels

Foot Facts

Each of our feet carries half the weight of our bodies

An average day of walking exerts several hundreds of pounds of pressure on each foot

Approximately 75 percent of Americans will experience some type of “foot ailment” sometime in their life

Many systemic diseases will first show up in the feet

As women age, they have four times more foot problems than men

Common Foot Ailments

Common Foot Ailments

Athlete’s footBlistersBunionsCorns and

callusesFoot odorIngrown toenails

HammertoesHeel painHeel spursWartsPlantar fascitisNeuroma

Common Foot Ailments

Athlete’s Foot Skin disease caused by a fungus Generally starts between the toes and on the

soles of the feet Is highly contagious Can get this from public showers, spas,

swimming pools and gym floors Signs and symptoms: dry, scaly skin, itching,

redness, blisters, and swelling of skin Prevention: Change shoes and socks daily

and avoid going barefoot in public places

Common Foot Ailments

Blisters Caused by friction from poorly fitting shoes,

socks, or hosiery Common foot ailment Treatment: do not “pop” the blister; wash the

blister and apply a moleskin bandage If you are diabetic and find a blister, notify your

health care provider. Do not treat at home

Common Foot Ailments

Bunions Misaligned big toes Joint will become painful and swollen Tends to run in families Wearing shoes that do not fit Signs and symptoms: big toe joint will appear

to slant outward with the big toe turning in toward the other toes

Consult your health care provider if you think you have a bunion

Common Foot Ailments

Corns and Calluses Layers of dead skin Caused by poorly fitting shoes Corns are generally found on the toes and

calluses are generally found on soles of the feet

Can be painful Wash and apply a moleskin bandage Do not cut off the corn or callus, if they are

causing excessive pain or become red and swollen consult your health care provider

Common foot ailments

Foot Odor Generally caused by improper foot care Can be a symptom of some type of infection Some people are more prone to foot odor Ask health care provider for over-the-counter

treatment options

Common Foot Ailments

Ingrown Toenails Nails where the corners or sides grow inward

into the skin Can be very painful Caused from improperly cut toenails, ill-fitting

shoes, fungal infections, family history, and/or foot anatomy

Consult your health care provider for treatment options

Common Foot Ailments

Hammertoes Toes bend into a claw-like position Most often occurs in second toe Caused by ill-fitting shoes and muscle

imbalance Consult health care provider for treatment

options

Common Foot Ailments

Heel Pain Primary causes are: stress put on heel and

supporting ligaments, standing for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces, and ill-fitting shoes

Other causes include obesity, gout, arthritis, and circulatory problems

Common Foot Ailments

Heel Spurs Overgrowth of bone in the heel Generally not painful unless inflammation

occurs Associated with plantar fascitis Consult health care provider for treatment

options

Common Foot Ailments

Warts Caused by a virus Are contagious Are more common in children Can be picked up by walking barefoot on dirty

surfaces Consult health care provider for treatment

options

Common Foot Ailments

Plantar Fascitis Inflammation of the band of tissue connecting

the heel to the ball of the foot Caused from excessive pressure or stretching Heel pain is a hallmark symptom Consult health care provider for treatment

options

Common Foot AilmentsNeuroma Benign (non-cancerous) growth of a nerve Generally occurs between the third and fourth

toes Caused by ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone

structure Symptoms: pain, burning, or numbness

between the toes that runs to the ball of the foot

Consult health care provider for treatment options

Tips for Foot Health

Do not ignore foot pain Inspect your feet on a

regular basis Inspect your toenails Perform routine nail care Perform daily foot

washing Wear properly fitting

shoes Replace worn out shoes

on a regular basis Avoid walking barefoot

Match your shoes to your activity

Alternate shoes on a daily basis

Try to avoid home remedies for foot ailments

If you have specific diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis, consult your healthcare provider for changes in your feet

Your Feet and Specific Diseases

Aging and Your Feet

Aging Foot Facts

As we age our feet change:Feet spread outFeet lose fat pads on the solesToenails become thicker and brittleBones become more brittle

Tips for Aging Feet

Shoes and Socks Wear properly fitted shoes Shop for shoes late in the day Wear shoes with a firm, non-skid sole and a

soft upper region Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes Do not wear pantyhose or stockings with a

seam Do not wear garters or constricting hose or

socks

Tips for Aging Feet

Activity Walk whenever possibleGrooming Examine your feet daily Wash your feet twice a day with a mild soap

and warm water, dry well Do not use home remedies to treat foot

ailments Trim toenails straight across and gently file

(diabetics should have toenails trimmed by health professional)

Visit your podiatrist once a year

Arthritis and Your Feet

Arthritis FactsArthritis can cause decreased mobilityArthritis affects more than 40 million

AmericansFoot anatomy makes feet prone to

arthritisWomen develop arthritis four times as

often as menIn 2006 one in five adults were

diagnosed with arthritis

Causes of Arthritis

Family historyJoint injuryJoint infection Inflammatory disease such as colitis.Drug useAutoimmune disorders

Symptoms of ArthritisSwelling in one or more jointsPain and tenderness in the jointDecreased mobility or motionEarly morning joint stiffnessSkin changes in joint region: e.g., rash

Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis Most common type of arthritis Also called degenerative joint disease Commonly caused from normal wear and tear

on the joint Comes on gradually, usually showing up as we

age Symptoms include a dull, aching pain in the

joint, most often at night Increased weight increases pain in the joint

Types of Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Chronic, inflammatory disease Comes on suddenly Classified as an autoimmune disease Symptoms include severe and lengthy early

morning stiffness and pain, fatigue, and weight loss

Generally affects joints on both sides of the body

Causes “knobby-like” appearance to joints

Types of Arthritis

GoutAbnormal build-up of uric acidMost often affects the big toeMen are affected more often than

womenCondition is often aggravated by eating

certain foods

Diabetes and Your Feet

Diabetes Facts

Chronic diseaseNumber one cause of disability in

KentuckySixth leading cause of death in KentuckyNumber one cause of non-traumatic

amputation of the lower extremitiesCan cause nerve and blood vessel

damage to the extremities

Foot Examination

If you have diabetes check your feet daily for: Changes in skin color/temperature Unusual swelling Ingrown toenails Fungal infections Bleeding from corns, calluses, or blisters Dry or cracked skin around the heels Do not treat foot ailments with at home

remedies. If you have diabetes, seek medical attention

Tips for Foot Health Examine your feet and toes daily Wash your feet twice a day with a mild soap and warm

water, dry well Lose weight Take part in daily physical activity Wear thick, soft socks Stop smoking Cut toenails straight across and file gently Wear properly fitted shoes Visit your podiatrist once a year Do not go barefoot Do not wear high-heel shoes or shoes with pointed toes Do not drink alcohol in excess Do not wear tightly fitting hosiery or socks

Injuries and Your Feet

Before Seeing the Doctor…..

Rest and restrict activity Apply ice to injured area Lightly wrap the injured area Elevate injured area If you have a cut, wash gently and apply

pressure to the area If you have a blister, do not open it. Apply

bandage to the area Do not attempt to remove sharp objects such

as glass from the foot

Injury Prevention

Wear good fitting shoesWear the right shoe for the activityDo not go barefootAvoid or walk carefully on slippery

surfacesMake sure walkways and pathways are

well-lit

Women and Foot Health

Foot Facts

Women may experience foot pain more often than men

Shoe selection can be the cause of foot pain and injury

High heels change how you walk and where pressure is put on the foot

Heels 1 inch or higher puts the foot in an unnatural position

High heels 3 inches or higher puts seven times more pressure on the ball of the foot

Women are affected by arthritis four times more often than men

Pregnancy causes physical changes that can affect foot health

Tips Learn to make better shoe selections Try to avoid shoes with high-heels and pointed

toes Try to avoid flip-flops and open-toed sandals Do not wear stockings or socks with seams Do not wear stockings or garters that constrict

the legs If you are pregnant, wear soft, low-heeled

shoes Inspect the foot daily Perform daily foot care Trim toenails straight across, gently file

Common ailments Metatarsalgia or pain in the ball of the foot Bunions Hammertoes Neuromas Achilles tendonitis Heel pain Pump-bump or enlargement in the back of the

heel bone caused from excessive wearing of pumps

Arch tendonitis Arthritis

Conclusion Follow tips for good foot health Inspect feet daily for changes Do not use home remedies If you have diabetes, see your podiatrist once

a year Buy good fitting shoes Avoid going barefoot Avoid high heels and shoes with pointed toes Eat a nutritious diet, take part in daily physical

activity, get adequate rest and relaxation, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol in excess, do not abuse drugs, and see your health care provider on a regular basis

Peggy Riley, RN, MSNExtension Health Specialist

June 2008

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