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Tuesday, 10 September 2024 00:00

Common Foot Problems Among the Elderly

Elderly foot care is key for maintaining independence and quality of life as people age. Aging can lead to a range of foot issues, such as brittle toenails, dry, cracked skin, and reduced flexibility. Common problems include bunions and painful corns and calluses, which can develop from changes in foot structure or gait. Conditions like peripheral artery disease and diabetic neuropathy can further complicate foot health, leading to increased risk of infections and wounds that heal slowly. Regular foot care involves inspecting feet for signs of damage, keeping the skin moisturized, and trimming toenails carefully to avoid ingrown nails. To address these issues and develop a personalized foot care plan, it’s suggested you make an appointment with a podiatrist. Their specialized knowledge can help prevent complications and ensure optimal foot health as you age.

If you need your feet checked, contact Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM of Maryland. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

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Plantar fasciitis is a common foot ailment, but several other conditions have similar symptoms, potentially leading to a misdiagnosis. Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, can cause heel pain and stiffness that mimics plantar fasciitis, often affecting multiple joints. A ruptured plantar fascia, a more severe injury, can lead to sudden, intense pain that might be confused with fasciitis. Stress fractures in the bones of the foot can also cause localized pain and swelling, particularly in the heel area, and may be mistaken for plantar fasciitis. Additionally, nerve entrapment, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, can cause burning or tingling sensations in the foot, which may overlap with the discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. If you have foot pain, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist who can determine the cause and offer effective treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Jeffrey L. Bober, DPM from Maryland. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

  • Bunions
  • Hammertoes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Corns
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
  • Flat Feet
  • Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
  • And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Glen Burnie, MD . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Foot Pain

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