As the feet age and get older, they take a beating while supporting the body’s weight. As the skin gets older, it begins to lose elasticity as well which can lead to more blisters, cuts, and infections. Thankfully, there are a few things that the elderly can do to help care for their feet and prevent future issues. First off, it is important to keep the feet clean and dry. This will help reduce the chances of fungi forming and causing issues such as athlete’s foot or fungal nail infections. In order to prevent ingrown toenails, it is key to keep the toenails trimmed short and straight across. Maintaining a healthy weight is also key to keeping pressure off of the feet. Any sores or wounds should be monitored and checked by a podiatrist as well. If you are experiencing pain in the feet, or if you have questions about caring for your feet, consulting with a podiatrist is key to keeping your feet healthy for a long time.
Proper foot care is something many older adults forget to consider. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
The Elderly and Their Feet
As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away. Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly.
Common Conditions
Susceptible Infections
Diabetes and poor circulation can cause general loss of sensitivity over the years, turning a simple cut into a serious issue.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Runners take hundreds of steps per minute while they run. During each step, a large amount of force is transmitted through the foot, ankle, and leg. The ankle takes most of the force, so it should come as no surprise that runners often experience ankle pain. There are several factors that contribute to ankle pain while running. Muscle imbalances and weakness or tightness in some part of the foot, ankle, or calf, can change the way force is distributed while you run, putting more pressure on the ankles and leading to injuries. Repetitive overuse from intense bursts of running and not giving yourself enough time to fully recover can also cause or worsen ankle pain. Previous injuries, such as an ankle sprain that hasn’t completely healed or hasn’t healed properly, can increase the risk of future ankle injuries as well. It is important to wear properly fitted, supportive shoes while you run. If you are a runner suffering from ankle pain, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact the podiatrists of The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.
More Tips for Preventing Injury
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
There are three common toe deformities that podiatrists often see and treat in patients. Hammertoes are characterized by the downward bending of the toe at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, located in the middle of the toe. Mallet toes are characterized by the downward bending of the toe at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, located near the tip of the toe. Claw toes are characterized by an upwards bend of the toe at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, located at the base of the toe. All three of these deformities can cause pain and stiffness. Corns and calluses are more likely to develop on affected toes as they rub up against the shoes while you walk. If you have a painful toe deformity it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist.
Hammertoe
Hammertoes can be a painful condition to live with. For more information, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors will answer any of your foot- and ankle-related questions.
Hammertoe is a foot deformity that affects the joints of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toes of your feet. It is a painful foot condition in which these toes curl and arch up, which can often lead to pain when wearing footwear.
Symptoms
Causes
Genetics – People who are genetically predisposed to hammertoe are often more susceptible
Arthritis – Because arthritis affects the joints in your toes, further deformities stemming from arthritis can occur
Trauma – Direct trauma to the toes could potentially lead to hammertoe
Ill-fitting shoes – Undue pressure on the front of the toes from ill-fitting shoes can potentially lead to the development of hammertoe
Treatment
Orthotics – Custom made inserts can be used to help relieve pressure placed on the toes and therefore relieve some of the pain associated with it
Medications – Oral medications such as anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs could be used to treat the pain and inflammation hammertoes causes. Injections of corticosteroids are also sometimes used
Surgery – In more severe cases where the hammertoes have become more rigid, foot surgery is a potential option
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to more serious concerns, such as an infection. Knowing proper nail care can help in the prevention of an ingrown toenail. Give us a call, and get treated!
Obesity affects every part of your body - including your feet and ankles. People over 60 who are obese have been found to experience more foot pain, have reduced toe and ankle strength, and have a slower walking speed, among other problems. Excess body weight strains the lower limbs, leading to functional and structural changes that can impact your mobility and quality of life. This is particularly the case for older adults. One of the best ways to maintain the health of your feet and improve your overall health is to eat a healthy diet, exercise, and lose weight. Unfortunately, this can be very difficult if you have foot and ankle pain that makes it harder to exercise or even stand for long periods of time. A podiatrist can help you reduce foot and ankle pain and increase your mobility so that you can improve your quality of life. For more information, please consult with a podiatrist.
Obesity has become very problematic at this point in time and can have extremely negative effects on the feet. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact the podiatrists from The Foot & Ankle Center of New Jersey. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Obesity and Your Feet
Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.
Problems & Complications
Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.
Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.
Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Paramus, NJ . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
