Maintaining healthy feet as one ages can help with mobility, and balance, and allows one to live independently longer. Older people may suffer from years of using their feet. Their feet tend to flatten and widen with age, and they can develop dry, cracked skin and other foot ailments from lack of care. One thing can lead to another and injuries like fractures can interfere with health and well-being. Taking care of the feet as one ages can include keeping the feet clean, dry, and moisturized, trimming toenails properly, monitoring foot sores, and wearing properly fitting footwear – primarily flat and closed-toed shoes with support and cushioning. Chiropodists can offer help in foot care services to the elderly and evaluation and treatment of emerging conditions. Regular chiropody visits are even more important if a senior has a health condition, like diabetes, that can affect their feet.

Foot problems can become increasingly common as we age, making everyday foot care especially important. To learn more about maintaining proper foot health, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Foot Problems

Certain foot problems may be more likely to affect older adults. 

Some examples of foot conditions that can be common in older adults include: 

• Dry, cracked skin
• Calluses and corns
• Blisters
• Ingrown toenails
• Deformities such as bunions or hammertoes
• Fungal infections
• Plantar warts

Systemic conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, are also more likely to affect older people and manifest symptoms in the feet and ankles. 

Daily Foot Care Tips

Having a daily foot care routine can help detect problems early on and prevent future issues. 

Things that you can do at home to care for your feet include: 

• Washing the feet daily with warm water, drying them thoroughly, and then applying a moisturizer
• Trimming the toenails straight across and not too short to prevent ingrown toenails
• Performing daily foot exercises to improve foot strength and mobility
• Wearing shoes when walking to avoid injury
• Inspecting the feet daily for any cuts, scrapes, sores, or other abnormalities and seeking prompt treatment if any problems are discovered 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

Obesity affects every part of your body, including the feet. Since the feet bear the weight of the entire body as you go about your day, it’s not surprising that carrying excess weight can strain the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints of the feet. Having a high BMI is associated with an increased risk of arthritis, tendonitis, and heel pain due to wear and tear on the feet. Obese people are also more likely to develop diabetes, a systemic condition that can also damage foot health. Losing weight can decrease your risk of developing these problems. Your chiropodist can help you find the right shoes, recommend foot and ankle exercises, and prescribe orthotics to help you maintain your mobility and keep your lower limbs healthy. 

Being obese affects every part of your body, and your feet are no exception. Because they bear the full weight of your body as you go about your daily life, your feet are under a lot of pressure. Carrying excess weight can strain the feet and cause a variety of unpleasant side effects. If you are obese and concerned about your foot health, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Obesity can:

• Cause foot pain
• Increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries
• Reduce mobility
• Make the feet wider
• Flatten the arch
• Make gout more likely
• Make arthritis more likely
• Increase the risk of diabetes

Your chiropodist may suggest lifestyle changes to address foot and ankle problems that are caused by or affected by obesity. These may include changes to your diet, exercise, and footwear, as well as wearing orthotics. The treatments for specific injuries or health problems will vary depending on what they are, but weight loss is often suggested to decrease strain on the feet. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

High-heeled shoes may be stylish, but they are not great for your feet or your body. High-heeled shoes change your posture while walking, forcing your feet into a downward extended position. This increases pressure on the balls of the feet and the toes, causing foot pain. You adjust the rest of your body to compensate for this change, which can cause back pain. High heels also change your gait, or walking pattern, limit the motion of your ankles, cause contraction and inflammation of the Achilles tendon, and can squish and deform your toes. If you must wear high heels, limit them to special occasions and take them off occasionally to stretch and relax your feet. For more information about the link between high heels and foot pain, please consult with a chiropodist. 

High heels have been in style for centuries, but unfortunately, they have also been damaging feet for centuries. If you would like to learn more about how high heels can hurt your feet, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

High heels can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Foot and ankle pain
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Toe pain and deformities
• Gait abnormalities
• Achilles tendonitis
• Changes in posture
• Difficulty balancing
• Leg, hip, and back pain

If you are reluctant to abandon your high heels, you can still wear them, but should take measures to minimize damage to your feet: 

• Wear shoes with heels no higher than 2 inches
• Choose properly fitted shoes
• Choose shoes with a wide toe box
• Wear high heels infrequently
• When wearing high heels, take them off periodically to stretch and relax your feet 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON . 

Ankle sprains occur when one or more ligaments in the ankle become overstretched or torn. The symptoms of an ankle sprain vary depending on the severity of the sprain. A grade 1 ankle sprain is mild and characterized by slight pain when moving the ankle, tenderness to the touch, swelling, and bruising. Patients can usually still walk normally with a grade 1 sprain. A grade 2 ankle sprain means that there is moderate damage to the affected ligaments. It’s characterized by immediate pain with significant swelling and bruising, as well as difficulty walking, a limited range of motion, and ankle instability. A grade 3 ankle sprain is the most severe type of sprain and is characterized by intense pain, swelling, bruising, and ankle instability. Walking with a grade 3 sprain is often impossible. If you have sprained your ankle, it’s suggested that you seek the care of a chiropodist. 

When one or more ligaments in the ankle overstretch or tear due to injury, an ankle sprain occurs. If you would like to learn more about ankle sprains, please consult with one of the chiropodists from Complete Family Footcare & Therapy. Our clinicians can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms of an ankle sprain vary depending on the severity of the injury, but may include: 

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Difficulty walking
• Ankle instability
• A reduced range of motion in the ankle 

Treatments for an ankle sprain may consist of: 

• Resting the injured ankle
• Applying ice
• Elevating the ankle
• Compressing the ankle
• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Ankle braces or other devices to take weight off of the ankle
• Ankle exercises
• Surgery (in rare cases) 

It’s important for the sprained ankle to heal correctly and fully in order to avoid repeated injury. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in North York and Mississauga, ON .