FOOT CARE... CONDITIONING EXERCISES: Do the following three exercises every other day... ANKLES Push against table leg. Repeat times on each side of foot. Page 1 of 5
TOES Extend and spread toes as far as you can. Repeat times. ARCH Pick up towel with toes. Hold Repeat times. seconds. Page 2 of 5
HYGIENE: Wash feet daily with a mild soap. Dry thoroughly between toes with a soft towel. Check feet regularly for blisters, soft corns, and cracking between the toes. Apply talc or powder to entire foot. Have at least 2 pairs of shoes and alternate wearing. Always wear shoes to avoid puncture wounds. Warts might occur from going barefoot. SHOE SELECTION: Proper shoe selection can prevent problems. Inspect inside for rough or uneven edges. Feet can swell a half size during the day, so buy your shoes in the afternoon. The end of the shoe should be a thumb's width past the longest toe. Page 3 of 5
FOOT CARE: WARNING SIGNS If any of these symptoms appear, seek professional help. NEUROMA: numbness / burning in 2 adjacent toes WARTS: hardened areas of tissue on bottom of foot HEEL / ARCH PAIN: continuous pain or pain during activity CORNS / CALLUSES: painful thickening of skin on toes or ball of foot pain when running or walking (Commercial removal formulas are NOT advised.) ADDITIONAL WARNING SIGNS DISCOLORED / LOOSENED NAILS: red or painful toes nails discolored or darkened IMPAIRED CIRCULATION: numb, tingling or cold toes thickening of nails any change in nail texture loss of hair on top of foot LEG CRAMPING: chronic calf cramping following walking or moderate exercise HAMMERTOE / BUNION: crooked toes or enlarged big toe joint Page 4 of 5
FOOT CARE: COMMON PROBLEMS ATHLETE'S FOOT Dry thoroughly between toes after bathing. Use talc or powder on feet. If itching, scaling, or redness appears between toes, try an over-the-counter anit-fungal medication. If symptoms persist, seek professional help. INGROWN NAILS Trim nails straight across the width of the toe. DO NOT cut into the corner of the nail. Soak toes in warm water 2 to 3 times a day. If swelling and redness persist, seek professional help. BLISTERS Obtain well-fitted shoes. Break in new shoes slowly. At first wear only short periods. Apply Vaseline -type lubricant to areas prone to blister. Do not remove loose skin as it protects. Keep covered with gauze or mole-skin. If drainage, pain, or redness persists, seek professional help. TIRED / SORE FEET Sit frequently with feet up above heart. Wear stiff-soled, supportive shoes. Soak feet 10-20 minutes in a warm Epsom salts bath. Page 5 of 5
CHART COPY Routine For: FOOT CARE... ANKLES TOES CONDITIONING EXERCISES: Do the following three exercises every other day... Push against table leg. Repeat times on each side of foot. Extend and spread toes as far as you can. Repeat times. ARCH HYGIENE: Wash feet daily with a mild soap. Dry thoroughly between toes with a soft towel. Check feet regularly for blisters, soft corns, and cracking between the toes. Apply talc or powder to entire foot. Have at least 2 pairs of shoes and alternate wearing. SHOE SELECTION: Proper shoe selection can prevent problems. Inspect inside for rough or uneven edges. Feet can swell a half size during the day, so buy your shoes in the afternoon. The end of the shoe should be a thumb's width past the longest toe. Pick up towel with toes. Hold Repeat times. seconds. Always wear shoes to avoid puncture wounds. Warts might occur from going barefoot. FOOT CARE: WARNING SIGNS If any of these symptoms appear, seek professional help. NEUROMA: numbness / burning in 2 adjacent toes WARTS: hardened areas of tissue on bottom of foot HEEL / ARCH PAIN: continuous pain or pain during activity CORNS / CALLUSES: painful thickening of skin on toes or ball of foot pain when running or walking (Commercial removal formulas are NOT advised.) ADDITIONAL WARNING SIGNS DISCOLORED / LOOSENED NAILS: red or painful toes nails discolored or darkened IMPAIRED CIRCULATION: numb, tingling or cold toes thickening of nails any change in nail texture loss of hair on top of foot LEG CRAMPING: chronic calf cramping following walking or moderate exercise HAMMERTOE / BUNION: crooked toes or enlarged big toe joint FOOT CARE: COMMON PROBLEMS ATHLETE'S FOOT Dry thoroughly between toes after bathing. Use talc or powder on feet. If itching, scaling, or redness appears between toes, try an over-the-counter anit-fungal medication. If symptoms persist, seek professional help. INGROWN NAILS Trim nails straight across the width of the toe. DO NOT cut into the corner of the nail. Soak toes in warm water 2 to 3 times a day. If swelling and redness persist, seek professional help. BLISTERS Obtain well-fitted shoes. Break in new shoes slowly. At first wear only short periods. Apply Vaseline -type lubricant to areas prone to blister. Do not remove loose skin as it protects. Keep covered with gauze or mole-skin. If drainage, pain, or redness persists, seek professional help. TIRED / SORE FEET Sit frequently with feet up above heart. Wear stiff-soled, supportive shoes. Soak feet 10-20 minutes in a warm Epsom salts bath. COMMENTS: Patient Name/Number: Clinician Name/Signature: Date: Page 1 of 1