Foot Problems

About 75% of Americans suffer from some type of foot problem. There are an array of problems that can strike the feet, but they typically fall into one of the following categories.

Foot problems can be:

Acquired - improper footwear, physical stress, or small mechanical changes within the foot.

Arthritic - either from normal wear and tear, from a previous injury, or from an autoimmune disease.

Congenital - typically inherited, these problems occur at birth.

Infectious - caused by bacterial, viral or fungal disorders.

Neoplastic - an abnormal growth of tissue that may be benign or malignant.

Traumatic - associated with foot and ankle injuries.

Can you match the diagnosis to the type of foot problem above?

1. Callus

2. Athlete’s Foot

3. Tumor

4. Sprained ankle

5. Clubfoot

6. Rheumatoid arthritis

No matter what type of foot or ankle problem you are dealing with, it is always a good idea to see a specialist to get a thorough examination, an accurate diagnosis, and a course of treatment and/or prevention.

Image by Elvert Barnes. Self.Hand.Foot.SW.WDC.30nov05. (2005). Flickr.