Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Due to the physiological complications of aging, and their overall health and mobility. Here, estimates show that by the time a person reaches age 65. As a result, approximately 90% of the population will have suffered a foot and ankle condition at some point. For example, the foot is a complicated body part – home to 26 bones, 33 joints and a complex matrix of ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Healthy feet, happy life
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. So then, your feet are the foundation of an active lifestyle, but odds are you don’t give them proper attention. “As you age, healthy feet become essential for being mobile, active, and safe,” says Dr. Kevin Riemer, a Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center podiatrist. “You need to give them the required care in order to prevent problems, reduce pain, and avoid injuries.”
7 Most Common Foot Problems
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Therefore the most common feet and ankle problems include:
Plantar fasciitis
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Besides, one of the most common conditions across all generations is plantar fasciitis, also known as “heel spur syndrome.” As a result, affecting nearly 2 million Americans each year. Also affecting some 9 per cent of UK older adults. Here, plantar fasciitis is caused by an inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia, the tendon band located on the bottom of the foot. Consequently, the plantar fascia is responsible for maintaining the structure and stability of the arch.
Also, long periods of standing, flat feet, high arches and obesity are risk factors for plantar fasciitis. So then, patients with plantar fasciitis will often present with sharp or stabbing pain in the heel area with the first step in the morning. However, the pain typically lasts for a brief period, then decreases in pain and intensity.
Achilles tendonitis
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Achilles tendonitis is another common foot issue. This condition occurs in the back of the foot in the area where the tendon inserts into the heel bone and the area 1 to 3 inches above where the blood supply is at its lowest. That naturally slower blood flow renders the Achilles tendon less elastic and weaker in structure. Therefore, older patients are more prone to rupturing this area. The pain may also ascend into the leg and the calf muscles. Regular stretching of the calf muscles and Achilles tendons can help prevent pain.
Neuromas
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Neuromas, also called interdigital neuromas or a Morton’s neuroma, are nerve enlargements that are often found right below your toes in the front of the foot.
Patients with neuromas usually feel symptoms, including:
- A burning or tingly sensation under their toes
- Pain radiating into the tips of the toes
- Cramping
- The sensation that a sock is rolled up in the front of the shoe
Neuromas are often brought on by long periods of wearing poorly fitting shoes that are too narrow and constricting. Another cause of neuromas is obesity. The uneven weight distribution of carrying excess weight can cause more pressure to be applied to the nerves in the foot, resulting in the enlargement and the formation of a bursa sac around the nerve.
Bunions
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Bunions – also known as hallux valgus – are very common in all active age groups. They are painful, bony bumps that develop on the outside of the big toe joint. They tend to develop slowly over time, as pressure on the big toe joint pushes the toe inward, toward the second toe.
Bunions are caused by abnormal biomechanics forces in the big toe, ill-fitting and tight shoes and arthritis in the joint. Bunions are especially common in women due to wearing ill-fitting footwear such as high heels or pointy-toed shoes. The bunion becomes enlarged and sometimes painful when the tissue covering the big toe joint becomes stressed, irritated and inflamed.
The area directly below the big toe, called the sesamoid apparatus, endures a large amount of stress and force. It acts as a pulley system composed of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments that propels the foot forward for walking and running. This area can be the site for a fair amount of pain and discomfort, making walking and exercise extremely difficult and painful.
Fat pad atrophy
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. The fat pad is one of few places in the body where fat is a welcome addition. The foot relies on the fat pad in both the front of the foot and in the heel area to better absorb the tremendous forces the foot is subjected to during the day. Over time, the fat pad degenerates and can lead to inflammation of the heel bone, the plantar fascia and bones in the front of the foot, known as metatarsals.
Hammertoes
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. Hammertoes are very common foot deformities that can be painful, especially if a hard area of skin, known as a corn, develops over the hammertoe. Every step can be painful, especially when there is contact with the top of the shoe. The term “hammertoe” refers to a toe that points upward, rather than lying flat.
This constant friction and irritation can cause the development and inflammation of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that protects a bony prominence. Hammertoes are sometimes the result of neurological disorders such as neuropathy and stroke. Hammertoes may also affect balance and posture.
Gout
Common Foot Problems in Seniors. The big toe is a favorite spot for the development of gout, a metabolic inflammation of the joint that causes extreme pain. Diets rich in certain proteins and substances known as purines, dehydration, overindulgence in alcohol and coffee, red meat, shellfish, legumes and certain systemic diseases can precipitate a very painful gout attack.
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In Conclusion
Keep your feet clean. This reduces the risk of harmful bacteria and can ward off fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Wash your feet every day, and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes. The skin of the feet tends to grow thinner and drier with age, so after washing, apply a liberal amount of moisturizing lotion. However, avoid moisturizing between the toes, as dampness here can lead to fungal growth.
Trim your toenails. Cut your toenails straight across, never at an angle on the sides, which may cause ingrown toenails (a condition in which the nail grows into the adjacent skin). Use a toenail clipper larger and wider than one used for fingernails.
Manage calluses. Deep calluses can crack and bleed, causing pain and risking infection. Use a pumice stone or foot file to remove calluses gently. Follow up with moisturizer.
Look for signs of trouble. Examine your feet regularly, including the tops, soles, under the toenails, and in between toes. Look for any changes, growths, or discolorations. If your foot swells or changes color, it could be a sign of poor circulation or even a fractured bone, and you should seek medical care. If you have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, alert your doctor about red spots, bruises, calluses, and corns. Any mole, freckle, or spot that appears to have changed over the past month could be a sign of skin cancer and should be examined.
Important Note *
Remember that everyone is different, it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find what your body responds to. So please do your due diligence before trying anything new, including getting Medical Advice to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
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