How Common are Foot Problems?
In the United States, up to 87% of people have painful feet at some time in their lives. Older or obese people, women, and people with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, or knee, hip, or back pain have much higher rates of foot problems. For women, pain in the toes and ball of the foot is much more common than in men, and it gets worse with age.
Among adults over age 65, the prevalence of arthritis is 50 percent. The prevalence of arthritis is higher among women (28.3%) than men (18.2%).
Many forms of arthritis and related conditions that affect the joints, muscles, and bones cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the feet. If the feet seem more susceptible to arthritis than other parts of the body, it is because each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted, and there is no way to avoid the pain of the tremendous weight-bearing load on the feet. Sometimes the cartilage wears away between the bones; and without the protective cartilage, the bones rub together. This inflames the tissue and causes pain and swelling. Arthritis afflicts almost 40 million Americans. Although the prevalence of arthritis increases with age, all people from infancy to middle age are potential victims. People over 50 are the primary targets.
An estimated 12.1 percent of the U.S. population (nearly 21 million Americans) age 25 and older have osteoarthritis. Although osteoarthritis is more common in older people, younger people can develop it too – usually as the result of a joint injury, a joint malformation, or a genetic defect in joint cartilage.
Toe arthritis is caused by inflammation of the toe joint. The disease most often attacks the big toe, but the others may be affected as well. Past injuries or traumas, such as a broken or sprained toe, can cause arthritis down the road. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout may also be to blame. Other medical conditions can cause additional problems including numbness and tingling, pitted nails, painful ulcers, or thickened skin.
Painful calf cramps are common during pregnancy, often striking at night during the second and third trimesters. No one really knows why pregnant women get these leg cramps. It's possible that your leg muscles get tired from carrying the extra weight. Or the cramps could be related to swelling from fluid buildup in your legs, a condition known as edema. Others posit that the expansion of the uterus may put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the leg.
No matter the reason While you can stretch, and hydrate, and eat bananas…allow Kangapoda to remind you that pressure on your feet and toes when you want to be at ease can help bring these cramps about. This is your special time. Let Kangapoda make your time under the covers awesome.
Athletes are also prone to calf cramps because they are so highly tuned. Muscles need to recover. When the workouts are over, and it is time to rest, relax, and recover, unwanted tension on the feet and toes can help bring about these sudden painful calf cramps.
Nocturnal leg cramps are cramps happen during the night during periods of inactivity when you are off your feet. The contractions come on suddenly and painfully and occur most often in the calf muscles but also in the feet. The spasms may last from several seconds up to several minutes. There might also be muscle soreness after you walk it off or the cramp goes away. Nocturnal leg cramps are more common in adults over age 50, but they also occur in younger adults and children. Both men and women seem to be equally affected.
Doctors’ and therapists’ advice regarding leg cramps strongly supports Kangapoda’s design:
- If you lie on your back, make sure that your toes point upwards – placing a pillow on its side at the end of your bed, with the soles of your feet propped up against it may help keep your feet in the right position.
- Kangapoda’s ergonomic canopy allows you to lie on your back with your feet comfortably at a right angle.
- If you lie on your front, hang your feet over the end of the bed – this will keep your fee