Aging and Your Feet

Aging can sometimes be a difficult process. It affects our whole bodies, and our emotional life as well. Aging even affects your feet. Over the years we ask a lot of our feet. They carry us over many miles and through many hardships. The feet are the base of your whole body, and they can feel the effects of the demands we place on them. Here are some concerns to look out for as your feet age.

1. Changing foot shape and size. Your feet do change over time. Your feet spread out and your arches tend to lower as you age. Keep this in mind when purchasing shoes. Improperly fitted shoes can contribute to or cause many problems with your feet like bunions, corns, calluses, abrasions, blisters, hammer toes, and plantar fasciitis to name a few. Make sure that you buy shoes based on how they fit, not based on the size on the tag. You should try on shoes, and you should not purchase shoes that are too tight- they will not stretch out but instead will constrict your feet.

2. Overuse can lead to problems. We ask a lot from our feet. We are constantly using them and stressing our feet with long periods of use, unsupportive foot wear and living in a world comprised of hard surfaces. Over time this use wears on our feet. Stress fractures and plantar fasciitis are two of the most common foot ailments caused by overuse. These can cause pain and even prevent you from participating in your usual daily activities. Be careful to look for signs of over-use, especially pain.

3. Arthritis in your feet. Arthritis is a common problem as joints age, and it can affect your feet and ankles are well. Arthritis can make your joints painful and stiff, which leads to limited use of your feet. There are treatments available for arthritis and the sooner you recognize this problem setting in, the sooner you can begin to help yourself and your feet.

4. Foot pain is an indicator of larger problems. Often noticing changes in your feet can indicate a larger problem in your body. Pain in your foot joints can indicate arthritis, a condition which often affects your extremities first. Numbness in your feet can indicate peripheral neuropathy, which may indicate venous, arterial, or other circulation problems or even diabetes. Paying attention to your feet may help you notice a larger problem and begin treatment.

5. Age makes your feet susceptible. Older feet, especially those with reduced circulation are more susceptible to infections. Wounds heal slower, and problems which used to be small, like blisters, can often grow quickly and become big problems. Older feet are also more susceptible to fungal infection, like athletes foot or toenail fungus. Treating a fungal infection early increases the effectiveness of those treatments.

6. Aging skin needs extra attention. Dry, cracking skin is a way for viruses, bacteria and fungi to enter your body. Unhealthy skin is also more likely to be damaged by shoe wear, developing blisters, corns, calluses, ulcers and other problems. The skin on your feet needs the same attention as the rest of your body. You should moisturize the skin of your feet, except for between your toes where warmth, darkness and moisture attract fungi.

7. Avoid "Bathroom surgery". Performing even small treatments on yourself at home can be dangerous, especially if your healing is reduced due to poor circulation and/or diabetes. Leave ingrown toenails, callus trimming, toenail trimming, wart removal and other procedures to your podiatrist. Not only are they trained to do these procedures, but they are also trained to handle the complications involved with slow healing of the feet. If you are trimming your toenails, be sure to do so correctly: trim toenails straight across to avoid the risk of the edges becoming ingrown as they grow out.

8. You may need special shoes. Diabetic patients especially may require therapeutic shoes to help reduce the risk of future foot complications. These shoes are necessary to help keep your feet healthy and will save you money, worry, and time spent on future foot problems. Therapeutic shoes have come a long way both in the healthcare technology they encompass and style. These shoes are now able to give you great support and protection while still looking sharp in a variety of styles.

It may be cliche to claim that "you're only as old as you feel" but this is especially true in your feet. Feet that have been taken care of and get a little extra attention as age sets in will be free of pain and complications. Sore feet which are experiencing one problem or another will make hinder your ability to move freely and enjoy all the activities you wish to participate in. Remember to take care of your feet and they will continue to serve you. If you are experiencing any problems, then do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to serve you and get great satisfaction from seeing you returned to a healthy, happy life lived on pain-free feet.