How Fit Are Your Feet?

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How Fit Are Your Feet?
Self Assessment Quiz

In spite of being on their feet four or more hours each day, most British people don't give their feet a second thought until they begin to hurt. Yet the wear and tear of every day life can aggravate many foot and ankle problems, from bunions and heel pain to arthritis and shin splints. Foot and ankle health is important to overall health, well being and mobility, and plays a major role in the pursuit of fitness. The following "How Fit Are Your Feet?" Self-Assessment Quiz will give you an idea of just how healthy your feet and ankles are.

1.	How much time do you spend on your feet each day?
	A.	less than 2 hours	0
	B.	2 - 4 hours	1
	C.	5 - 7 hours	2
	D.	8 hours or more	3

2.	How old are you?
	A.	under 40	0
	B.	between 40 and 59	1
	C.	60 and over	2

3.	How would you describe your weight?
	A.	less than 20 pounds overweight or at ideal weight	0
	B.	20 - 39 pounds overweight	2
	C.	40 or more pounds overweight	3

4.	Have problems with your feet or ankles ever prevented you from participating in:
	A.	Leisure/sports activities?
		yes	2
		no	0
	B.	Work activities?
		yes	3
		no	0

5.	Have you ever-received medical treatment for problems with your feet and/or ankles?
	A.	yes	3
	B.	no	0

6.	Do you regularly wear heels two inches or higher?
	A.	yes	2
	B.	no	0

7.	What types of exercise do you engage in or plan to engage in? (check all that apply)
	A.	walking	1
	B.	field sports (e.g., softball, golf)	2
	C.	winter sports (e.g., skiing, ice skating)	2
	D.	court sports (e.g., tennis, basketball)	3
	E.	aerobics	3
	F.	running	3
	G.	none (if you chose answer g, skip to question 11)	0

8.	Do you have the appropriate shoes for your sport or sports?
	A.	yes	0
	B.	no	3

9.	Do you experience foot or ankle pain when walking or exercising?
	A.	rarely	1
	B.	sometimes	2
	C.	often	3
	D.	never	0

10.	Do you:
	A.	Exercise in footwear that is more than one year old or in hand-me-down footwear?
		yes	3
	B.	Stretch properly before and after exercising?
		yes	0
		no	3

11.	Do you:
	A.	Have diabetes?
		yes	3
		no	0
	B.	Experience numbness and/or burning in your feet?
		yes	3
		no	0
	C.	Have a family history of diabetes?
		yes	2
		no	0

12.	Do you: (check all that apply)
	A.	Sprain your ankles frequently (once a year or more) or are your ankles weak?
		yes	2
		no	0
	B.	Have flat feet or excessively high arches?
		yes	2
		no	0
	C.	Experience pain in the Achilles tendon or heel or have shin splints (pain in the front lower leg)?
		yes	2
		no	0
	D.	Have corns, calluses, bunions or hammertoes?
		yes	3
		no	0
	E.	Have arthritis or joint pain in your feet?
		yes	3
		no	0
	F.	Have poor circulation or cramping in your legs?
		yes	3
		no	0

Total:_______________________

0 - 20 points: Congratulations! Your feet and ankles are very healthy and you can maintain your active lifestyle and/or exercise regimen. With proper attention and care your feet and ankles should remain healthy; however, you may want to schedule an annual exam with a Chiropodist to ensure their long-term health. Furthermore, if you scored points for questions 4, 5, 9, 11 or 12 you should consider visiting a Chiropodist in the near future for a check-up

21 - 40 points: Pay attention. Your feet and ankles are showing signs of wear, placing you in the moderate risk category. Although you can continue your normal activities, you should strongly consider visiting a Chiropodist for a check-up. If you participate in a rigorous exercise regimen on a regular basis or plan to - or if you scored points for questions 4, 5, 9, 11 or 12 - you should visit a Chiropodist soon to safeguard your foot and ankle health.

41 points or higher: Caution. Your feet and ankles are at high risk for long-term medical problems and you should visit a Chiropodist as soon as possible. If you exercise, you should pay particular attention to your feet and ankles until you see a Chiropodist. If you have not begun exercising, it is advisable to see a Chiropodist before undertaking any type of exercise.

Now that you've assessed the health of your feet and ankles, you are armed with knowledge that will enable you to maintain their health over a lifetime.

NOTE:

Even if you scored well, this self-assessment is not a substitute for a physical exam. Furthermore, if you are over 40 and have any problems with your:

heart
circulation
respiration
blood pressure
pulse rate
cholesterol

Or if you have a pre-existing medical condition or injury, you should consult a General Practitioner or a State Registered Chiropodist before beginning an exercise program.