Did you know that an average active person walks roughly 7500 steps in one day? Multiply that by 365 and see how gigantic a task this seems to become for a year! Yet how many of us take out any time to ensure that our feet are healthy and fit? Barely a handful of people!
Not surprisingly, our feet, which are also one of the most complex body parts in terms of bone and muscle structure, are the most neglected and taken for granted.
There are several conditions that affect our feet; the most common ones include:
- Bunions and other bone deformities
- Fungal nail and skin infections
- Arch pains, muscle tightening or plantar fasciitis
- Injuries, sprains, and fractures
- Nerve damage due to diabetic neuropathy
- Arthritis
However, did you know that we humans are not the only ones who can fall prey to these conditions? Recently a baby giraffe in Seattle’s Woodland Zoo was diagnosed with a condition known as “hyperextended fetlocks” in which the rare legs of the giraffe were misaligned, causing it pain and making it difficult for it to walk properly.
Luckily, a team of experts was able to create customized shoes and leg casts to support its feet and lower legs; enabling it to walk in a more stable manner. If it was not for the dedication and hard work of Dr. Tim Storms and a team from Kentucky, that giraffe’s quality of life would have been severely compromised.
It is truly a wonder how many benefits podiatrists are offering us humans and yet we avoid consulting them. Podiatrists can help us adopt a lifestyle that will ensure that our feet are healthy so that we are not deprived of the small pleasures that life has to offer, like walking on the beach, running outdoors, playing sports and merely going from one point to another.
They not only treat and cure foot conditions, but they also prevent long term damage to our feet. So, utilize their services and enjoy your feet (like the baby giraffe did). Schedule your annual foot checkups today with Joseph Stuto, DPM to make sure nothing catches you off guard.