5 Ways to Keep Senior Feet Healthy

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During May, we at Texas Foot Specialists salute our senior patients for Older Americans Month. At our Sugar Land 281-242-4448, Pasadena 281-991-0600 and Houston 713-664-6677 offices, we treat patients of all ages and each stage of life has its unique foot care needs. As you age, the risk for certain foot problems increases, but that in no way means that podiatric problems are inevitable or “normal.” Below are 5 tips for preventing common foot disorders and keeping senior feet healthy.

1.   Keep your weight down. Gaining weight is easier as you age because your metabolism slows down. This means you need to eat fewer calories just to maintain your weight. Once the number on the scale begins to creep up, it can become a vicious cycle: the more you gain the harder it is to be active, and then the more you gain. Recognize that one pound of weight gained or lost translates to 3-5 pounds of pressure on knees and feet.

2.  Step up your foot care regimen. If you haven’t already, develop a daily foot care plan. It doesn’t have to be elaborate: wash feet with soap and water, dry completely; dust with foot or anti-fungal powder in the morning and apply a rich moisturizer at night.

3.  Inspect feet regularly. Washing your feet is a great time to look them over thoroughly. Report any suspicious changes such as unexplained swelling, bruising, toes that are moving out of place, skin or nail discoloration, etc., to our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum. Early diagnosis of foot problems can improve your prognosis dramatically.

4.  Get your feet measured professionally. As you age, it’s not uncommon for feet to spread and increase a bit in size. Wearing shoes that are too small for your feet can exacerbate problems such as bunions and hammertoes. Invest in quality shoes made of breathable materials that fully support your feet.

5.  Keep the blood flowing. Good circulation is essential for lower extremity health. Get up and move frequently. Avoid crossing your legs and staying in one position for long periods of time. Elevate your feet when you’re resting and don’t smoke. Know the signs of poor circulation: loss of hair on legs and feet, cramping or tiredness in legs, bluish or discolored skin. These can point to systemic problems like diabetes or arterial disease.

With proper care, your feet will enable you to continue to live an active life for many years to come. If you have questions on how to care for your feet, don’t hesitate to contact us.