Introduction

People ask much from the bones, skin, muscles, tendons (which connect muscles to bones), ligaments (which connect bones to each other), blood vessels, and nerves that make up the foot. After receiving years of trouble-free transportation from their feet, some older people expect such uncompromising service to continue indefinitely. However, although the feet are well designed and are built for high mileage, time and a variety of conditions that become more common with aging do take their toll.

See the sidebar Foot Care Guidelines.