Happy Feet | Fort Worth Podiatrist | Podiatrist located in Fort Worth, TX

Our feet are marvels of engineering. Each foot contains about one-eighth of all the bones in our body and 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments that provide support, balance and mobility. Without this amazing design,...

Our feet are marvels of engineering. Each foot contains about one-eighth of all the bones in our body and 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments that provide support, balance and mobility. Without this amazing design, we wouldn’t be able to walk upright, run or dance.

The foot may be the root of osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body. A study of more than 3,400 men and women older than 40 found that those with osteoarthritis in their feet are three times more likely to also develop stiff, aching joints in their hands or knees.

Even after considering the influence of age, gender and occupation, the subjects who had foot osteoarthritis had other painful sites to worry about, according to a study by the Arthritis Research Institute of America (ARIA), a Clearwater, FL not-for-profit research organization.

Here are some simple steps you can follow to help keep your feet happy:

If you suspect you have osteoarthritis in your feet here are some Diet Tips that may help relieve some of your discomfort.
Walk! It’s the best exercise for your feet.
Wear shoes that breathe. Feet can excrete up to a cup of moisture a day.
Feet swell throughout the day. Shop for shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest.
One foot is typically larger than the other. Shop for the larger foot so that your shoes don’t pinch.
Avoid ingrown toenails by using toenail clippers and trimming them straight across and slightly longer than your toes.
Watch for early signs of blood circulation problems, diabetes, osteoarthritis, bunions, hammertoes, athlete’s foot, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.