There are 28 bones in each foot and they are arranged in an arch which distributes the body's weight between the heel and the forefoot. The ankle is the joint that connects you leg to your foot. This joint allows you flexibility to move up and down and to rotate in and out. All of this is held together with a complex network of muscles, tendons and ligaments.

With so many bones and connective tissues working together to support the total weight of the body through out your life, there are an array of complications that can occur.

On average, you will spend about 100,000 hours on your feet by the time you reach age 65. If you have a job that requires constant standing or walking, such as construction or restaurant work, you could be on your feet for close to a quarter million hours.

Over time, simple wear and tear will cause pain along with, arthritis and injuries. You could also suffer from bunions, corns, sprains, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, or flat feet. A traumatic injury could result in include bruises, sprains, or fractures. The best thing you can do for your feet is where proper shoes. Many painful conditions are caused or aggravated by improper shoes. Women in particular are prone to bunions and other problems associated with shoes having high heels, narrow insoles or pointed toes. Both men and women often wear shoes which do not fit properly or lack adequate support.

Exercise will strengthen the muscles and condition the foot, ankle and leg for you to lead an active life style. The best exercises are those which involve continuous, smooth motion. Some good choices are bicycling, swimming, yoga, low-impact aerobics, cross-country skiing and walking.

Each patient is different and the treatment may vary based on you ailment, level of activity, amount of pain you are having. Some treatments available include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, prescriptions, rest, casts or immobilizers. Surgery can be as simple as removing a bunion or as complex as a joint fusion or replacement.

If surgery is the next step in your recovery, ask your family physician to refer you to one of the experts at Michigan Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital or by calling 1-888-DMC-2500..