Podiatry is the health care profession that assesses and treats foot ailments - from minor conditions such as ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, to more complex problems such as sport injuries, foot deformities, reconstructive surgery, and side effects from other medical conditions such as diabetes. Podiatrists also treat foot conditions before they become a problem.
The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps each day on pavement, tiles, and other surfaces. With each step, a gravity induced pressure of about three to four times the body's weight bears down on each foot.