As people age, they become more prone to foot problems that can affect mobility and comfort. Bunions are a common issue, where the big toe shifts inward, causing a bony bump that leads to pain and difficulty wearing shoes. Arthritis often develops in the foot joints, leading to stiffness, swelling, and discomfort during movement. Corns form due to repeated pressure or friction, creating thickened areas of skin that can become painful. Additionally, heel pain, often caused by plantar fasciitis or thinning fat pads, makes walking uncomfortable. These conditions can result from years of wear and tear, poor footwear choices, or underlying medical issues. If you are elderly and have pain in any area of your foot, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can effectively treat various foot conditions.
Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact one of our clinicians from The Footcare Centre. Our podiatrists can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The Elderly and Their Feet
As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.
Common Conditions
Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet and can hide many life-threatening medical conditions.
Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.
Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:
Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
Shoes that don’t fit properly
Pressure sores
Loss of circulation in legs & feet
Edema & swelling of feet and ankles
Susceptible Infections
Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Weybridge, UK. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Have your feet inspected by a professional before starting a new sport or physical activity. Taking charge of your foot health will keep you in good physical condition and can help you avoid a potential injury, such as a fracture or sprained ankle.
Stress fractures in the feet are hairline cracks in the bones that result from repetitive stress or overuse. Foot stress fractures often affect the second and third metatarsal bones, which endure significant pressure during activities like running, jumping, or pushing off the foot. Causes include repetitive high-impact movements, sudden changes in activity level or training surfaces, and improper footwear that fails to provide adequate support or cushioning. Wearing ill-fitting or unsupportive shoes can increase the strain on certain parts of the foot and contribute to the risk of developing stress fractures. Low bone density, poor nutrition, previous fractures, and conditions like osteoporosis are other risk factors. Symptoms of stress fractures include localized pain that intensifies with weight-bearing and improves with rest, along with swelling and tenderness in the affected area. A podiatrist can evaluate your symptoms, perform imaging tests, and recommend treatment options to ensure proper healing and prevent complications. If foot pain is interfering with your activities, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to determine if you have developed stress fractures.
Activities where too much pressure is put on the feet can cause stress fractures. To learn more, contact one of our clinicians from The Footcare Centre. Our podiatrists can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.
Dealing with Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Stress fractures occur in the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken from too much or too little use. The feet and ankles then lose support when walking or running from the impact of the ground. Since there is no protection, the bones receive the full impact of each step. Stress on the feet can cause cracks to form in the bones, thus creating stress fractures.
What Are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures occur frequently in individuals whose daily activities cause great impact on the feet and ankles. Stress factors are most common among:
Runners
People affected with Osteoporosis
Tennis or basketball players
Gymnasts
High impact workouts
Symptoms
Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures and can be constant or intermittent. It will often cause sharp or dull pain with swelling and tenderness. Engaging in any kind of activity which involves high impact will aggravate pain.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Weybridge, UK. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nervous system, causing damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can result from various factors, including diabetes, injury, infections, or certain medications. The symptoms often include pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation, typically in the feet and hands. This discomfort can range from mild to severe and may make walking or performing daily tasks difficult. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the underlying cause but usually includes pain management, targeted exercises, and medications to reduce nerve inflammation. In some cases, lifestyle changes like controlling blood sugar or improving circulation may help alleviate symptoms. A podiatrist can assist by evaluating your condition, offering pain relief strategies, providing custom orthotics to improve mobility, and recommending exercises to maintain strength and flexibility. If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for expert care and management.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our clinicians from The Footcare Centre. Our podiatrists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.
Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:
Numbness
Sensation loss
Prickling and tingling sensations
Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
Muscle weakness
Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.
Treatment
To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.
Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Weybridge, UK. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
As people age, they become more prone to foot problems that can affect mobility and comfort. Bunions are a common issue, where the big toe shifts inward, causing a bony bump that leads to pain and difficulty wearing shoes. Arthritis often develops in the foot joints, leading to stiffness, swelling, and discomfort during movement. Corns form due to repeated pressure or friction, creating thickened areas of skin that can become painful. Additionally, heel pain, often caused by plantar fasciitis or thinning fat pads, makes walking uncomfortable. These conditions can result from years of wear and tear, poor footwear choices, or underlying medical issues. If you are elderly and have pain in any area of your foot, it is strongly suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can effectively treat various foot conditions.
Stress fractures in the feet are hairline cracks in the bones that result from repetitive stress or overuse. Foot stress fractures often affect the second and third metatarsal bones, which endure significant pressure during activities like running, jumping, or pushing off the foot. Causes include repetitive high-impact movements, sudden changes in activity level or training surfaces, and improper footwear that fails to provide adequate support or cushioning. Wearing ill-fitting or unsupportive shoes can increase the strain on certain parts of the foot and contribute to the risk of developing stress fractures. Low bone density, poor nutrition, previous fractures, and conditions like osteoporosis are other risk factors. Symptoms of stress fractures include localized pain that intensifies with weight-bearing and improves with rest, along with swelling and tenderness in the affected area. A podiatrist can evaluate your symptoms, perform imaging tests, and recommend treatment options to ensure proper healing and prevent complications. If foot pain is interfering with your activities, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to determine if you have developed stress fractures.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nervous system, causing damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can result from various factors, including diabetes, injury, infections, or certain medications. The symptoms often include pain, weakness, numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation, typically in the feet and hands. This discomfort can range from mild to severe and may make walking or performing daily tasks difficult. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the underlying cause but usually includes pain management, targeted exercises, and medications to reduce nerve inflammation. In some cases, lifestyle changes like controlling blood sugar or improving circulation may help alleviate symptoms. A podiatrist can assist by evaluating your condition, offering pain relief strategies, providing custom orthotics to improve mobility, and recommending exercises to maintain strength and flexibility. If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for expert care and management.