About Ling P. Chen<wbr/><br/><wbr/><br/>Walking<wbr/>Footwear: Comfort and Fit<br/><br/>Choose a good quality, lightweight walking shoe with breathable upper materials, such as leather or nylon mesh. The heel counter should be very firm; the heel should have reduced cushioning to position the heel closer to the ground for walking stability. The front or forefoot area of the shoe should have adequate support and flexibility.<wbr/><br/><wbr/><br/>Ling<wbr/>P. Chen:Podiatric Medicine<wbr/><br/><wbr/><br/>Podiatric<wbr/>medicine is the profession that strives to improve the overall health and well-being of patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the foot and ankle. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are physicians and surgeons who practice on the lower extremities, primarily on feet and ankles. DPMs are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to diagnose and treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical, or other means. The vast majority of states also include ankle care as part of the podiatric physician’s scope of practice.<wbr/><br/><wbr/><br/>More<wbr/>than 75 percent of all Americans will experience foot and ankle problems of varying degrees at one time in their lives and thus, the need for podiatric physicians continues to grow. There are approximately 15,000 doctors of podiatric medicine practicing in the United States today. The skills of these physicians are in increasing demand as the baby boom generation swells the ranks of older Americans at almost three times the growth rate of the general population. In addition, the general public’s emphasis and interest in sports and health increases the need for healthy feet and the services of podiatric physicians are in greater demand.<br/>Dr. Ling P. Chen MD<br/><br/>In addition to these check ups, there are warning signs that you should be aware of so that they may be identified and called to the attention of the family physician or podiatrist. They include:<br/><br/>* Skin color changes<br/>* Elevation in skin temperature<br/>* Swelling of the foot or ankle<br/>* Pain in the legs<br/>* Open sores
