Foot Facts
(1) 59% of the non institutionalized population was treated for foot problems in 1990. Of these, 20% were treated by orthopedists and 39% by podiatrists. (National Health Interview Survey, USPH Service, 1990)
(2) Although payments to podiatrists represent only 2% of all Medicare outlays in 1995, this represented $984,521,988.00 The cost of podiatry foot care is accelerating at 12% per year when there was only an 8% increase for physicians. APMA Alert, American Podiatric Medical Association, Bethesda, MD; October 17, 1996)
(3) 45 patients/1000 sought care for corns and calluses and 18 patients/1000 sought care for bunions in 1990. (National Health Interview Survey, USPH Service, 1990)
(4) When 73 patients who needed elective foot surgery were given well fitting custom orthotics, only 2.7% proceeded with the surgery and 97.3% were relieved of their chief complaint. (Moraros and Hodge, Journal of the American Podiatric Association, Vol. 83, March 1993.
(5) For all major foot procedures the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine is more likely to have been chosen by the consumer than any type of M.D. In fact, podiatry ranked 14th out of 26 specialties receiving Medicare funds; above dermatology, neurology, otolaryngology. (Weiner, Steinwach, American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 77, August 1987).
(6) 9% of all non-fatal work injuries under Workman's Compensation occurred to the ankle, foot or toes. (1991, California Work Injuries, Department of Industrial Relations, August 1992).