FOOT HEALTH WEEK 2002
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	Are your feet killing you? See a podiatrist :13 - 19 October, 2002 Survey shows foot pain common but ignored by sufferers More than 60% of Australians have suffered foot pain in their lifetime, over two thirds of those in the last 12 months. Yet only two out of five people who suffered foot pain in the last 12 months sought professional treatment, according to Newspoll research released today by the Australasian Podiatry Council. The president of the Australasian Podiatry Council Kevan Wright said, "The high levels of foot pain in the general community are a concern, especially if people are not seeking professional treatment for their problems. Because foot pain is so common many people assume it's normal, but feet shouldn't hurt and all foot pain should be investigated and treated." As the average person will walk 128,000 kms in a lifetime, the equivalent to three times round the world, Mr Wright said it was not surprising that so many people should have sore feet. "Our feet are very complex structurally. They have 52 bones, which account for a quarter of all the bones in our bodies, as well a network of muscles, ligaments and joints, and as there are over 200 identified foot conditions, they really do require expert treatment," he said. According to Mr Wright there are many causes of foot pain, some of them serious. For example, foot pain can be a sign of systemic disease. Twenty per cent of rheumatoid arthritis cases and 35% of stress fractures occur in the feet. Research shows that stress fractures in the feet, particularly in older people, are associated with osteoporosis, and foot pain in older people is associated with falls, which can lead to serious injury. During Foot Health Week (October 13-19), the Australasian Podiatry Council will promote the message that foot pain should not be ignored. "People are living with foot pain on a day to day basis. At the time of the survey, 30% of people had experienced foot pain within the past week. If your feet are killing you, you should see a podiatrist," Mr Wright said. The Newspoll research also revealed: Equal numbers of men and women experienced foot pain Foot pain was experienced by people across the age spectrum but the older a person was the more likely he/she was to have experienced foot pain. For example, within the last 12 months more than half of people aged 50 and over had experienced foot pain as compared to 35% of people aged 18-24.