Foot Problems Often Increase With Age
The wear and tear on your feet as you get older can take a toll. You can postpone and prevent many foot and ankle problems by catching them early and having regular checkups with your foot doctor. By treating problems early with custom orthotics and physical therapy, you can completely avoid or postpone the need for surgery.
Foot and ankle problems that often increase with age may include the following:
Toenail problems—Your toenails often thicken and become more brittle as you get older. It makes it harder to trim correctly and increases the occurrence of ingrown toenails. Fungal toenails also become more common as your immune system has more difficulty fighting off infections.
Tendon trouble—Tendons and ligaments lose some of their strength and flexibility as your age. It leads to a higher prevalence of tendonitis and ankle sprains and strains.
Arthritic conditions—The big toe and the ankle joint are two parts of the foot that frequently experience the stiffness of arthritis that often comes with age.
Balance and stability issues—Diabetes and other systemic illnesses can damage nerves and lead to weak ankles and debilitating falls. Correctly made foot and ankle orthotics increase stability and help prevent falls.
Skin conditions—Skin conditions become more common with age. Some skin lesions may be cancerous and take on the appearance of warts and moles, so it’s best to have all skin anomalies checked out by your foot doctor.
If you have pain and discomfort in your old feet and ankles, contact your podiatrist for the proper diagnosis and treatment. James C. Ricketti, DPM of Hamilton Square, NJ (in Mercer County), is a board-certified podiatrist providing state of the art diagnostic and treatment options for all types of foot and ankle injuries, diseases, and deformities. From hammertoes and bunions to diabetic foot problems and sports injuries, you can rest assured that Dr. Ricketti and his staff will get you back on your feet as fast as possible. Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule an appointment. Call 609-587-1674.