5 Reasons Why You Need a Podiatrist in Your Senior Years

As we approach National Senior Citizens Day, we want to talk to you about your aging feet. As the years pass, your body changes—muscles and bones move around, ligaments relax and your feet can take a major hit in the process. 

Plus, while all that’s going on, your circulation may be slowing down. This means that your injuries may take longer to heal. And that could turn even a minor blister or cut into a major medical concern. Which is why regular visits to your podiatrist can protect your feet.

Aging Foot Symptoms Your Podiatrist Should Monitor

When you come to see our Westfield, IN podiatrist in your senior years, we perform a thorough foot exam, looking for any signs of injury or major changes. Some of the most common conditions we diagnose include:

1. Bunions
   You’re more likely to get these bony bumps as you age, because bunions develop over time. Usually, they’re the result of internal pressure on your big toe joint. And, while often a hereditary problem, years of wearing shoes that pinch or your favorite high heels could add up to large, painful bunions in your silver or golden years.  

2. Dry Skin 
   As you age, your body’s cells have a harder time holding onto moisture. As a result, your foot skin can dry out, leaving you vulnerable to cracks that may bleed—especially around your heels. Getting help with a proper moisturizing routine can help protect your skin and prevent infections from setting in.

3. Hammertoes
   This is a toe deformity that develops when your weakened toe muscles change your body’s physical structure. With this condition, your toe may appear bent, with the toe joint rising prominently. Aging can be a risk factor for hammertoes because your muscles weaken over the years, which puts extra pressures on your toe’s supporting structures.

4. Arthritis
   We all know that arthritis can be an age-related problem. And since your foot has 33 different joints, it’s very likely you’ll notice arthritis symptoms in your foot and ankle. Unfortunately, we can’t cure osteoarthritis. But with early intervention and regular monitoring, we can slow its progression and protect your mobility.

5. Heel pain. 
   As you get older, changes in your ligaments, tendons and muscles can also affect your plantar fascia. (That’s the band of connective tissue running from your heel along the bottom of your foot.) The plantar fascia can strain due to a variety of stressors causing inflammation. You may then face the pain of plantar fasciitis. We can treat your pain and relieve the inflammation. And we can usually do so with minimally invasive treatments, as long as you come in early.

Getting older means changes—but those changes don’t have to add up to foot pain. While your foot structures may shift over the years, with support, early intervention—and appointments with Dr. David Sullivan—we can keep those changes from putting limits on your mobility, or your quality of life.