How Our Feet Change As We Get Older

As you age it is perfectly normal to notice several changes within your feet. Just like other parts of your body, your feet are certainly susceptible to age related changes. It is very common that people notice changes in their feet more than other body parts, this is because your feet play such a vital role in your life from balance, walking and most of our daily activities. In this weeks' blog we will touch base of some of the most common effects ageing has on our feet and how some of these issues can be helped.

Ever heard of the saying,

'Your Feet Get Bigger As You Get Older'

This is sometimes kind of true!

Our feet may not necessarily be get bigger, but it is very common that your feet will broaden and change shape with age. In later life our ligaments and tendons which hold our feet together tend to lose elasticity which therefor changes our feet. This commonly begins as we reach our fifties which may be sooner than you would think, this is why as Podiatrists we are so keen to see everyone look after their feet from a young age.

It is absolutely crucial that not just for comfort, but for maintaining your mobility throughout life and therefor your independence that you do look after your feet. You really should visit a podiatrist throughout your life just as you would for anything else, the opticians, the dentist and so on!

Thicker Nails

While our skin becomes thinner with age, which is all a natural part of life toenails often grow thicker with age therefor becoming denser and more brittle. This can often make your toenails more difficult to trim and if this is not done correctly your nails are far more likely to become ingrown or infected. Perhaps you have already read our previous blog on Fungal Nails, if not we recommend you to do so as it includes lots of helpful information and tips!

Fungal nails are also much more common as we age. A podiatrist will be happy to assist you with toenail care ensuring your nails are kept in great condition and free from infection, especially if you find trimming your nails by yourself difficult.

Dry Skin

Another common issue is dry skin, as we age naturally our body begins to produce less collagen which is responsible for keeping our skin elastic and supple. This often affects our feet, which can frequently result in drier and thinner skin on our feet, this can also cause your feet to crack more easily which can become painful and leave you open to infection. Without proper care, it is quite often we see patients with painful fissures, particularly around the heels. Moisturising your feet from a young age is just important as the rest of your body.

Less Cushioning

The soles of our feet and the fatty pads on them naturally thin out over the course of time, which is also due to the reduction of collagen in our bodies. The bottom of our feet may feel less cushioned than our younger years, which can affect how we walk, run and even stand. Your feet become more sensitive to harder surfaces which leaves us feeling uncomfortable.

This is why Podiatrists often stress the importance of correct fitting footwear, your comfort will always be more important than fashion. Wearing correctly fitted, supportive and cushioned shoes and avoiding walking barefoot wherever possible can help mitigate the discomfort of reduced foot padding.

Weaker Muscles

As we age, we begin to lose muscle that we often take for granted. If affects our feet as much as the rest of our body. Without strong feet muscles we become less able to cope with demanding physical activity, often leaving us more prone to injury also. Strengthening exercises targeting the muscles in our feet and legs are crucial to maintaining muscle tone and keeping us strong, preventing injury.

Stiff Joints

The joints in our feet bear the brunt of daily wear and tear across the years. As we become older, we lose flexibility within our joints which can lead to stiffness making walking uncomfortable. Those whom suffer with arthritis often have much worse pain and swelling within the joints. Regular stretching exercises and wearing correctly fitted shoes can again help keep your joints flexible, supported and reduce discomfort.

Longer Healing Time

It is commonly known that as we get older, our bodies take longer to heal. As we age, our blood vessels narrow which in turn reduces circulation. Cuts and wounds including those on our feet take longer to heal, and infections are therefor much more likely to develop. If you suffer with diabetes or other circularity conditions you are already much more likely to be at a higher risk of foot conditions. It is absolutely vital that we visit a podiatrist for regular foot inspections and seeking professional treatment even if an injury may seem minor to prevent more serious issues arising.

To summarise this weeks blog post on caring for our feet as we age;

• Exercise Regularly

• Moisturise Daily

• Wear Correctly Fitted Shoes

• Visit Your Podiatrist Reguarly