It's the Years and the Miles: The Effects of Aging on the Feet

Most Americans will walk over 100,000 miles in their lifetimes. That makes it likely that our feet with undergo some changes as we age. While inconvenient, or even uncomfortable, most are normal.

Foot Pain

Think of babies' soft, squishy little feet. That natural cushioning is made of a combination of collagen, elastin, and adipose. Unfortunately, all of that diminishes as we age. This loss can lead to discomfort when you stand or walk, especially as the day wears on. Custom orthotics are the best way to combat this change.

Hammertoes

Hammertoes are permanently bent and misshapen toes caused by damaged muscles. They become a risk as we age, as do the corns as calluses they tend to cause as they rub up against your shoes. If we wore pointy stilettoes often when you were younger, we are at higher risk of hammertoes later in life. Family history is another important factor. We can reduce our risk of hammertoes by wearing practical, comfortable shoes on a regular basis. Save those gorgeous high heels for special occasions.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an incurable disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Because there are more than 30 joints in our feet, if we develop arthritis as we get older, it is likely to appear in those joints as well as at other sites throughout your body. We may experience pain when standing or walking, stiffness in the morning, or a reduced range of motion. Arthritis elsewhere in the body, such as the hip, knee, or ankle, can cause foot pain when we alter our gait or stance to accommodate that discomfort. Over the counter and prescription medications can ease the symptoms of arthritis.

Dry Skin

The same collagen that cushions our feet also helps our skin remain soft and supple. As we age, the body's supply of collagen dries up. Skin can become dry and flaky. Use a moisturizer twice daily to prevent and improve dry skin. Pay special attention to the heels, where cracks can occur.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Diabetes and other conditions more common with age can slow the blood flow to our feet and extremities. Our feet may often feel cold. Small wounds may take much longer to heal than they once did, or even turn into an ulcer that won't heal. Smokers experience PAD sooner, more often, and more severely than people who don't smoke. This is another good reason to quit.

Contact James C. Ricketti, DPM and let us address all your foot and ankle needs. Our board-certified podiatrist will tailor treatments based on your individual needs and with our state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options, we’ll help you get back on your feet in no time! Call our office today at 609-587-1674 to make an appointment at our conveniently located Hamilton, NJ office.