Arthritis
Arthritis is a frequent component of complex diseases that may involve more than 100 identifiable disorders.  If the feet seem more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, it is because each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted, and there is no way to avoid the pain of the tremendous weigh-bearing load on the feet.

Heel Pain
A common cause of heel pain is the heel spur, a bony growth on the underside of the heel bone.  The spur, visible by X ray, appears as a protrusion that can extend forward as much as half an inch.  When there is no indication of bone enlargement, the condition is sometimes referred to as "heel spur syndrome."

Both heel pain and heel spurs are frequently associated with an inflammation of the band of fibrous connective tissue (fascia) running along the bottom (plantar surface) of the foot, from the heel to the ball of the foot.  The inflammation is called plantar fasciitis.  It is common among athletes who run and jump a lot, and can be quite painful.

Orthotics (Arch Support)
Orthotics are shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal, or irregular, walking pattern.  Orthotics are not truly or solely "arch supports," although some people use those words to describe them, and they perhaps can best be understood with those words in mind.  They perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.

Doctors of podiatric medicine prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery; their use is a highly successful, practical treatment form.

Nail Fungus
When everyone else can't wait for warmer weather to bare their toes, do your feet go into hiding?  When it's time to head for the locker room, do you want to head straight home?  Chipped, hardened and discolored nails are embarrassing, and can keep you from enjoying what you like to do.  You may have tried a lot of over-the-counter treatments, but this frustrating infection keeps coming back.

These things may mean that you have onychomycosis (on-ee-ko-my-KO-sis), a nail infection caused by a variety of fungi, yeasts or molds.

You're not alone.  About 1 in 5 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 - almost 30 million Americans - is affected by onychomycosis.  Many are athletes or senior citizens; others have illnesses or may have inherited a tendency to have nail fungal problems.  Onychomycosis also accounts for up to 50 percent of all nail diseases and more than one-third of fungal infections.

Prescription medications are now available that can get to the site of infection to start treating your nails.  Best of all, you can help prevent nail fungal infections with proper nail care.