Foot Health (Podology)
We spend our life on our feet since birth. Tiredness and wearing effects of daily life activities put major burden on feet. Despite all these negative effects, we still behave irresponsibly and do not care our foot health. Although foot health is increasingly attached more importance, there is still a long distance to cover about awareness of “podology” and “foot health” in our country. However, severe diseases can be first manifested by signs and symptoms in feet. Foot care is utmost important especially for patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiac conditions and vascular disorders.
Skin, fungal infections and abscess are more common in diabetic patients who are characterized with higher blood glucose levels. If a sensory deficit develops in foot, patient may not sense the pain that is caused by burn, laceration, bruising or infections. It is, therefore, very crucial to have knowledge on foot care and health. Considering the fact that there are 3 million and 200 thousand patients with diabetes mellitus (the figure is totally 5.000.000 million, if pre-diabetes is also taken into consideration), it is clearly evident how important to have a detailed examination of feet by podologist.
What is podology?
Podology is a sub-branch of podiatry, which deals only with foot health. Diagnoses of every feet disorders are made and corrective details and therapeutic methods are submitted. For instance, podology deals with biomechanical problems of footballers due to the shoe choices.
This country has increasing need to well trained practitioners, who are specialized in the field of foot health, to help people with such disorders or who attaches importance to foot health.
Why is foot care important?
At least 95% of babies are born with healthy feet while only 40% of adults do not have any problem with feet. Low physical exercise, over-weight, inadequate or incorrect applications, inappropriate shoe choices and some chronic diseases pose significantly negative influence on feet, progressing into serious problems over time. Healthy foot implies well-being and harmonized functioning of all bones, soft tissues, joints and ligaments of foot, also including the ankle. However, it is a fact that time-dependent defects in feet may result with pain in knees and even in whole spinal system. Systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, may lead to very severe neurovascular disorders. A substantial consequence of these disorders is wounds that are secondary to abnormal pressure posed on feet. Stenotic vessels with structural irregularities are going to gradually complicate wound healing as sufficient amount of oxygen cannot be carried by these vessels.
