The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100
tendons, muscles, and ligaments. With such a complex structure,
a lot can go wrong. While some foot problems are inherited, many
occur because of years of wear and tear. Signs of foot trouble
include pain, excessively dry skin, thickened or discolored
nails, swelling, redness, and unusual sensations. "Consumers
should know that these symptoms are not normal," says Joshua
Kaye, D.P.M, a podiatrist in Los Angeles. "Whatever the problem
is, don't bury it in your shoe and hope it will go away." Pain
in the feet can trigger pain in the legs, hips, and back. Some
foot problems can even signal a larger disease, which is why the
American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) suggests that
people take their socks off when they go to their primary care
physician for a regular checkup. In a recent APMA survey of more
than 600 people, 73 percent said their feet were not routinely
inspected at doctor visits. Toenails that are rounded inward
instead of outward could