The human foot is one of nature's marvels. Becoming "bipedal," walking upright on two feet, was an essential development in the evolution of the human species. Every day, your tootsies absorb the equivalent of several hundred tons of force as you walk through normal daily tasks. Usually, the feet do this effortlessly.

However, the complexity of the foot's bone and tendon structure and the enormous demands upon it leave this body part more vulnerable to injury than any other.

Fortunately, there are some key steps you can take to preserve the health of these hard-working extremities.

Foot facts

Each foot packs an amazing amount of anatomical material into a relatively small space. In addition to a network of blood vessels and nerves, the foot includes:

• 26 bones
• 33 joints
• More than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments

Your two feet work together every day to share the burden of moving the body. However, this constant stress makes your feet especially vulnerable to injury.

Problems can arise due to sudden injury or gradual wear and tear. Certain conditions, such as those affecting the nerves, can make the foot more prone to problems. (Diabetes, for instance, is a major culprit in foot disorders.) Finally, neglect of the feet can cause problems, many of which are preventable.