The Institute for Preventive Foot Health Information

The Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH) is a non-profit private foundation committed to raising awareness about the importance of caring for the feet through education, research and the identification of methods demonstrated by clinical research to prevent, treat and manage painful conditions and diseases affecting the feet, mobility, functional status and quality of life. Foot problems often increase with age. By age 50, the average person will have walked or run 75,000 miles, primarily on hard, unnatural surfaces (for example, concrete, asphalt and hard floors). Over time, this contributes to the breakdown of the skin and protective fat pads that support the balls, heels and toes of the foot, which we refer to as skin/soft tissue(s) of the foot. Preventive foot health is a proactive approach to wellness that focuses specifically on your feet as the foundation of mobility. Preventive foot health is necessary in all sports and activities, as well as in daily work and home life. It is a critically important practice for people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and circulatory disease where small problems can turn into both limb- and life-threatening conditions. IPFH was founded by Jim Throneburg and the THORLO Company. Both continue to provide financial support for IPFH and collaborate on educational events and programs with the Institute and its educational partners: Amputee Coalition, International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and the EU foot care initiative, SOHEALTHY. IPFH is an independent entity and its educational information is not influenced by its sponsors.