Your feet carry you to a lot of places. And because they’re there when you need them, it’s easy to forget that getting older can affect them in many ways. Because September is Healthy Aging Month, Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists shares some common conditions in aging feet.

• Cracked heels: Without proper care, cracked heels can hurt and harden.
• Fat pad atrophy: As seniors lose the cushioned layer on the bottom of their feet, fat pad atrophy causes pain along the heel and the foot.
• Osteoarthritis: Typically, after the age of 65, the cartilage that surrounds the bones in your feet breaks down, resulting in bone rubbing against bone.
• Ingrown toenails: An ingrown toenail develops when the side of a toenail grows into the skin, causing pain, swelling, and, in some cases, infection.
• Diabetic foot ulcer: Diabetics can suffer nerve damage, diminishing their ability to feel minor scrapes, wounds, and cuts.
• Flat foot: As you age, the risk of developing flat feet is elevated, often due to conditions like obesity, diabetes, or an injury.
• Bunions: These painful lumps along the inside of the foot are most often seen in women, as high heels are often the culprit.
• Gout: Gout is arthritis that commonly develops in middle-aged men and causes stiffness, pain, and swelling.
• Stress fractures: As women go through menopause, there are hormonal changes that can decrease bone density throughout the body, causing a condition known as osteoporosis.
• Hammertoe: This condition typically occurs in your second toe and looks like a bend along the middle joint.

Our bodies tend to change a lot when we age, and many people don’t stop to think that includes their feet. If you’re wondering how to avoid the most common foot problems as you age or what can be done to treat them, contact Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists. Schedule a visit by calling our office at 860-632-5499 or by clicking here to make your appointment online.