From poor circulation and dry skin to brittle nails, obesity, and thinned-out fat pads, growing old can increase your risk for foot problems. Showing your feet some love as you age can help you avoid many of these problems. One of the best things you can do as an elderly person to maintain, or possibly even improve, your foot health is to wear good shoes that fit properly. Good quality footwear with proper support and fit will help keep heel pain, blisters, bunions, corns, and calluses at bay. Stretching, walking, elevating the feet whenever possible, and staying away from tight socks can help with your circulation. Keeping your feet clean, dry, and moisturized can help avoid conditions such as athlete’s foot and cracked heels. Maintaining a healthy body weight will avoid putting undue pressure on your feet and ankles and help prevent a variety of conditions from developing. Consult with a chiropodist for more advice on how to keep your feet healthy throughout your lifetime.

Foot problems can become increasingly common as we age, making everyday foot care especially important. To learn more about maintaining proper foot health, please consult with Paul A. Scotti, D.Ch from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Foot Problems

Certain foot problems may be more likely to affect older adults. 

Some examples of foot conditions that can be common in older adults include: 

• Dry, cracked skin

• Calluses and corns

• Blisters

• Ingrown toenails

• Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes

• Fungal infections

• Plantar warts

Systemic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, are also more likely to affect older people and manifest symptoms in the feet and ankles. 

Daily Foot Care Tips

Having a daily foot care routine can help detect problems early on and prevent future issues. 

Things that you can do at home to care for your feet include: 

• Washing the feet daily with warm water, drying them thoroughly, and then applying a moisturizer 

• Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown toenails

• Performing daily foot exercises to improve foot strength and mobility

• Wearing shoes when walking to avoid injury

• Inspecting the feet daily for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities and seeking prompt treatment if any problems are discovered 

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