Put your best foot forward
 75%
of Rhode Islanders will develop a foot problem during their lifetime; women
with aching feet outnumber men four to one. Small wonder, since the
average person takes up to 10,000 steps each day. That's about 115,000
miles over a lifetime—more than four times the circumference of the
Earth.
Few people are born with foot problems, says podiatrist Andrew
Silverman, DPM. Our feet are made for walking those thousands of
miles, but we often neglect them and inflict on them their biggest enemy -
cruel shoes.
Q. What is the most common problem you treat?
A. It depends on the season. In warmer weather, heel pain is common,
especially among people who have jobs where they stand all day on hard
surfaces. In cold weather, the biggest problem is hammertoes, a condition
in which the toe is bent in a claw-like position. Closed-toed shoes that
cramp the foot can be the cause.
Q. Are feet affected by health conditions?
A. Yes. It's often said that your feet mirror your general health.
Symptoms of many conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and
circulatory disorders-even AIDS-show up first in the feet.
Q. What's your advice on foot care?
A. Take care of your toes--check them out every day. Trim nails straight
across with special clippers; they should be slightly longer than the tips
of your toes. Also examine your feet for dry skin, bruises or abrasions
and don't ignore problem areas.
Q. What kind of shoe do you recommend?
A. Pay less attention to style and more to a good fit. Shop for shoes in
the afternoon because feet tend to swell as the day goes on and have your
foot measured, while you're standing, every time you buy new shoes.
Whatever the style, a good shoe must have enough room in the toe box,
proper arch support and fit the heel without slipping. Very high heels
aren't a problem only for feet, they throw your whole body forward and can
cause leg and back pain.
Q. Once we're fitted with good shoes, what's the best exercise to
keep our feet in tip-top condition?
A. Without a doubt, it's walking. With a good-fitting shoe, your feet will
carry you all those miles while improving your general health by
increasing circulation, controlling weight, and promoting all-around
well-being.
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