Over 75% of people will experience some kind of foot problem in their lifetime, and by age 50, most will have walked over 75,000 miles. That’s a lot of wear and tear on your feet. Foot problems can cause pain, discomfort, and even affect your ability to remain active or even walk. They can lead to knee, hip, and lower back issues, and having diabetes increases your risk of serious foot problems. The risk for these conditions increases around middle age. This article will discuss foot problems that can occur as we age and what to watch out for.
We know thin, poorly fitted shoes, elevated or high heels, and sandals can open your feet up to many common foot ailments. Seeing a podiatrist can help relieve these conditions and manage your pain and discomfort with several solutions found and recommended by foot care specialists at pedifix.com. I’ve researched the following conditions from accessible medical sources to share with you this week.
Please remember I am not a doctor, but I can provide you some helpful information that might help identify your condition and hopefully help with some of the discomfort you are feeling.
Hammertoes: Hammer Toe is a condition where crooked or bent under ‘claw’ toes irritate toe tips and tops; rub, overlap or underlap adjacent toes to make standing and walking uncomfortable. This can cause a wide variety of problems and can be very painful for someone who suffers from the condition.
Bunions: A bunion is a bony bump on the joint at the base of your big toe that can form when your big toe pushes unevenly against other toes. When this happens, the joint of your big toe can eventually get bigger and stick out uncomfortably from the side of the foot. The skin over the bunion can appear red in color and be sore and uncomfortable. Ill-fitting footwear or high heels can sometimes cause this condition.
Corns and Calluses: Thick patches of skin that form to protect sensitive areas on the foot that develop from constant friction from footwear. If this thickened skin cracks, it can lead to an infection if left untreated.
Toenail Issues: Toenails can become thick and brittle as you grow older, making them harder to maintain. This can lead to painful nail cracking and discoloration.
Flat Feet: A flat foot is a structural deformity resulting in the lowering of the arch of the foot, sometimes referred to as fallen arches. Flat feet can lead to pain and swelling in your ankle, hip, and knee and can make physical activity strenuous.
Arthritis: It affects nearly 40 million Americans each year. When it involves feet, early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential in managing this condition and to avoid loss of mobility in your ankle and other joints in your feet.
More Serious Symptoms
See your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing any of the following conditions:
Persistent pain, bruising or swelling; Open, oozing wound; A wound that won’t heal; Signs of infection, which can include discoloration, fever or pain; Difficulty or inability to walk; or Numbness or tingling on the bottoms of your feet.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage that numbs the feeling in your feet. It can reduce blood flow to your feet and toes, making it harder for injuries and wounds to heal. Anyone with diabetes should see their medical team regularly to avoid very serious complications that could lead to infection or amputation if left untreated.
If you’re over 50 or care for someone who is, please use this information to help keep watch over the possible foot concerns that can develop. Seeing your foot care specialist regularly can help you prevent, detect, and manage foot care concerns more effectively. If conditions are ignored, left untreated or worse, more severe complications can arise.
If you have questions about any of the quality products from PediFix, please reach out to us at pedifix.com or by phone at 1-800-PEDIFIX (733-4349) to speak directly to a product specialist today.
PediFix Medical Footcare. 256 Ways to Relieve Foot Pain.