Feet Problems with the Elderly
Foot pain and other disorders are
common among the elderly. But this does not mean that they have to accept the
discomfort or live with an inability to continue with their normal lives. Old
age does not mean pain and unsteadiness of the feet leading to an increased
danger of falling down. Foot problems are not limited
to the elderly. Research shows that up to 87% of the population of this country
has experienced foot pain at some stage of their lives. But the volume and
types of problems do increase with age and one third of the people over age of
65 suffer from foot conditions.
The Causes of Foot Problems in the Elderly
There are three main reasons for
foot problems in the elderly. The first is wearing of ill-fitting shoes,
especially at a younger age. This can cause damage to the feet that only
becomes apparent after years have passed. The second is medical conditions.
Problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, knee, hip or
back pain all affect the feet and can cause a variety of foot conditions to
appear. The third cause is simple wear and tear over time. Each foot contains
26 bones, 33 joints and over 120 nerves, ligaments and muscles which all work
together to enable easy foot movement. An average person spends about 4 hours a
day on his or her feet and takes about 10,000 steps. The small feet have to
bear the weight of the body through all this. In time the natural cushioning of
the feet under the heel and ball is worn away. The arches lose their
flexibility and the feet and ankle joints become stiffer. The years of carrying
weight also cause the foot to get wider and longer.
All these contribute to a myriad
of foot pain issues and other medical conditions affecting the feet. Foot care,
exercise and maintaining overall good health can reduce the impact of age on the
feet, but the wear and tear that they suffer can never be totally negated.
The Main Foot Problems in the Elderly
The most common foot problems
faced by the elderly include:
Ø
Calluses and Corns – the development of dead,
thick painful skin on the feet
Ø
Bunions – a bony growth at the base of the big
toe (and possibly other toes) that over time causes misalignment of the toe
Ø
Heel pain – a pain that is present from the rear
of the arch to the heel of the foot
Ø
Plantar Fasciitis – A
painful inflamed ligament along the sole of the foot
Ø
Hammertoes – toes joints that curl unnaturally
leading to dislocation over time
Ø
Arthritis – this can cause a range of pain and
discomfort symptoms in the feet
Ø
Diabetes – this can cause circulation problems,
loss of feeling and ulcers that are very slow to heal.
Ø
Arch pain – caused by fallen arches (flat feet)
or unusually high arches
Ø
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome – a pain caused by
pinched nerves
Ø
Morton’s Neuroma – a benign growth the develops
between the third and fourth toes
Ø
Achilles tendon – inflammation and pain in the
tendon at the rear of the foot that connects to the calf muscle.
The feet, like the rest of the
body, will weaken with age. And misuse and lack of proper foot care when young
will exacerbate the problems in old age. But common sense foot care, proper
hygiene, the use of well-fitting shoes and regular visits to the foot
specialist will all help to reduce the impact and allow for fewer and perhaps
even no foot problems in old age.
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