At Long Island Foot & Ankle Group, PC, we want our patients to recognize that your feet are amazing structures! With 26 bones, 33 joints, 19 muscles and 107 ligaments, these complex parts of your body enable you to stand, run, jump, dance, walk and pretty much do everything you do every day.
This also means, however, that there is much that can go wrong with your feet. Good daily hygiene and proper preventative care are essential for maintaining good podiatric health. Our foot and ankle surgeons Dr. Russell Caprioli, Dr. Mary Ann Bilotti, Dr. John Haight and Dr. Marzana Mleczko want to remind you that if you are experiencing foot pain, it’s essential that you don’t delay coming in to our Valley Stream (516-825-4070) or Lake Success (516-327-0074) office to have it evaluated. Treating foot disorders in their early stages is the best way to ensure a good outcome.
Below are some facts about foot health that you may not know:
- Your feet can be a mirror of your general health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, circulatory and nerve issues can all show their first symptoms in your feet.
- 75% of Americans will experience foot problems over the course of their lifetime.
- 9 out of 10 women are wearing shoes that are too small for their feet.
- Women have about 4 times as many foot problems as men—shoes are at least partly to blame.
- The fat pad on the bottom of your feet typically begins to thin out in your 30’s and 40’s. Without added padding and cushioning, you may find your feet feeling sore by the end of the day.
- About 25% of Americans have flat feet.
- Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America. The most common kind of arthritis is osteoarthritis which affects over 20 million adults in the U.S.
- The biggest cause of peripheral vascular disease (which affects the arteries in the legs and feet) is smoking.
- Running puts as much as four times the weight of your body on your feet.
- It takes at least 5-6 months to grow a whole new toenail.
If you have questions about foot health issues, contact us today.