Fun Facts About Your Feet
Anne Arundel County podiatrists Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver love to educate patients about their feet, ankles, and lower legs. But this fondness for foot-related conversation is about much more than sharing podiatric trivia. The more you know about this part of your body, the better equipped you’ll be to stay healthy for a lifetime. Here are five facts our doctors want to share:
1. More than one-quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet and ankles – 26 on each side and arranged in 33 joints and a series of delicate arches. They are vulnerable to sprains, fractures, and other injuries.
2. The soft tissues of the lower body – tendons, ligaments, muscles, and more – are also at risk of injury. Common problems include tendonitis, torn ligaments, plantar fasciitis, and inflammation of the soft tissue that spans the sole from heel to toes.
3. Do you have diabetes? This whole-body illness poses particular risks to foot health, including neuropathy and wounds that heal slowly, if at all. Infection and hospitalization can result.
4. Everyone – men, women, and children – are at risk of foot health problems. However, women are more likely to experience an issue than men. It is believed to be related to women’s high-heel fashion footwear, which increases the risk of problems such as bunions and hammertoes by squeezing the toes forcing the feet into unnatural positions.
5. The best way to keep feet and ankles free from illness and injury is to visit an expert podiatrist regularly. When you see the letters DPM after your health care provider’s name, you know they are a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and the best-qualified medical professional to help you with careful examination, accurate diagnosis, and effective, individualized treatment ongoing care.
Take good care of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Call the friendly Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to schedule a convenient appointment with James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM, in our modern, comfortable office on Old Solomons Island Road today.