April is the month the American Podiatric Medical Association dedicates to raising foot health awareness and we at Foot & Ankle Specialists, PC want to do our part by helping you learn more about the major parts of your feet and how to prevent injuries and disorders.

Bones: The foot contains 26 bones—that’s about a quarter of the bones in your entire body! You can be proactive in strengthening the bones of your feet by eating a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D (which helps maximize calcium absorption). The biggest threat to the bones in your feet are fractures. Traumatic fractures are usually caused by accident or sudden injury and not usually an event you can plan to avoid. Stress fractures, however, are tiny cracks that form in the surface of the bone, often as a result of overuse or improper footwear or training techniques.

Joints: There are 33 joints in your feet. They help your foot bend, flex and move. The health concern for joints is inflammation, which causes pain and swelling and can greatly limit mobility. Inflammation of the joint can be the result of disease, such as gout or osteo or rheumatoid arthritis, or from injury or deformities that develop in the foot such as Haglund’s Deformity or bunions. In most cases, joint disorders are progressive and the sooner you bring them to the attention of the foot doctor the better the outcome and quicker the treatment.

Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons: These structures comprise the rest of your foot, with a combined total of over 100. Muscles, ligaments and tendons are subject to strains, sprains, tears, overstretching and inflammation. Most often, these conditions are caused by injury or by overuse. Pushing your feet to rapidly increase speed or distance in a running or other fitness activities, for example, is likely to result in a muscle, ligament or tendon problem. The mechanical structure of your foot can also play a role in the health of these parts of your feet. Patients with flatfeet or other abnormalities may be more prone to tendon, ligament or muscle issues.

Hopefully, knowing a bit more about the inner workings of your feet will help you take better care of them. It’s not a good idea, however, to try to be your own foot doctor. If you feel discomfort or pain in your feet or ankles, or you notice changes in your feet, make an appointment with one of our podiatrists: Dr. Scott E. Hughes, Dr. Greg P. Vogt, Dr. Christine I. Tumele, and Dr. Matthew W.E. Lewin to get it properly evaluated and treated. We are always available to answer your questions. Contact our Lambertville office at 734-856-8900 or our Monroe office at 734-241-0200.