Are Your Feet Getting Old?

Experiencing the Agony of De “Feet”?  You are not alone.  Foot problems are especially common in seniors for a variety of reasons.  Feet lose cushioning as they age, and the skin and nails can grow dry and brittle, and nails often become difficult to trim. Many seniors have poor circulation, and this can slow the healing of foot sores.

There are many different problems seniors commonly face.  Keep in mind that most of these problems can be prevented and treated.   Here are a few of the most common problems:

Dry Skin:  Apply a thick cream to your feet TWICE daily.  Avoid putting cream between your toes.

Athlete’s Foot:  Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection which can infect you anywhere on your feet:  soles, between the toes and the toe nails are the most common areas.  Feet are the best place for this fungus to cause problems.  The fungus loves a warm, moist and dark environment.  Common signs and symptoms are redness, peeling, itching (sometimes), and tiny blisters.  If you suspect that you may have athlete’s foot, please seek professional help.  To prevent this infection, keep your feet dry and clean and avoid walking barefoot in public areas.

Hammer Toes and Claw Toes:  Arthritis, heredity and a muscle imbalance in the foot or other foot dysfunction can cause hammer toes and claw toes.  Though they are not always painful, they can be.  Generally, the most common reason for pain is the development of a corn or callus on top or at the bottom of the toes.  This is generally due to shoes fitting too shallow in the toe area.  Always make sure to wear shoes with a deep toe box to avoid the pressure on the top of the toes.

Corns and Calluses:  Sometimes caused by ill-fitting shoes, but not always.  Most are caused by a mechanical problem in the foot, causing excessive pressure which causes a callus or corn to develop. Wearing properly fitting shoes and consulting with a chiropodist is the best way to prevent these often painful areas. If they do arise, you can file them down with a pumice stone or foot file. Avoid medicated corn pads sold in drugstores as they can cause damage to the healthy skin and cause serious problems and pain.

The very best thing you can do for your feet is to wear comfortable and SUPPORTIVE shoes.  Keep in mind that your feet can become wider, and seemingly longer (the arch may collapse) as you age.  Your foot size will then change.  You should always have your feet measured (while standing) before buying new shoes.  Spending a lot of money on shoes does not guarantee that the shoes are supportive…neither does the brand.  To find a supportive shoe look for three things:  The heel counter (back of the shoe) should be stiff when squeezed.  The arch of the shoe should not bend easily and the shoe should be stiff if twisted from side to side.  Proper footwear is essential in preventing foot problems and falls.

If you think you may have a foot problem, visit the office of a Chiropodist.  Members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario are your regulated medical foot health specialists in this province. They are designated as primary health care professionals, and they are the only practitioners in Ontario trained and regulated exclusively to provide advanced foot care and orthotics.  We-Fix-U Physiotherapy and Foot Health Centres has a highly educated and highly trained team of Chiropodists who can help you get the results you need.

 

About We-Fix-U: 

 

We-Fix-U takes understands that pain and disability impact your life and you don't always have enough time to take care of yourself.  That is why We-Fix-U's goal is to get you better, faster, and keep you going, longer.

 

Employing a large team of experts:  Physiotherapists, Chiropodists, Massage Therapists and Chiropractors, We-Fix-U has the ability to give you the best and most comprehensive approach to getting you better.

 

We-Fix-U co-founders David Evans (Physiotherapist) and Cristol Smyth (Chiropodist), employ a standard at each clinic, approrpiately called "The Dave and Cristol Standard".  Through this standard, We-Fix-U takes a three-pronged approach to treating your ailments:  The first is to resolve your symptoms so you can start to feel better, faster.  The second is to discover the root of the problem so we can prevent it, and new ones from returning. a three-pronged approach to treating ailments: The first is to resolve symptoms, and the second is to discover the root of the problem, to prevent your problem (and new ones), from returning.   The third is to make your treatment fun, friendly and effective.

 

  Visit www.we-fix-u.com