As our bodies grow older, everything changes significantly including our feet! We use our feet a ton throughout our lives. Before turning 80, the average American will have walked over 100,000 miles! That mileage takes a toll on your feet. Here are a few things that happen as your feet age:

Increased discomfort:

Babies’ feet are pudgy and soft with a natural padding of collagen, elastin, and adipose. As we age, though, all of those agents diminish. The loss of cushioning can make long periods of standing or walking pretty painful.

Custom orthotics can help provide some comfort if you’re dealing with foot pain.

Arthritis:

This painful, chronic disease causes joint inflammation. Your feet and ankles have more than 30 joints in them, which means that arthritis has a lot of places to strike. It usually comes with morning stiffness and a limited range of motion.

There’s no cure for arthritis, but custom orthotics and medication can ease the discomfort

Bunions and hammertoes:

These foot deformities are caused partially by genetics, but can also be caused when something forces your toes into unnatural positions. Pressure from incorrectly fitting shoes or other sources can shift the bones in your foot and cause painful bunions or hammertoes.

Comfortable shoes will reduce the risk. If the issue is advanced, then surgery might be your best option.

Diabetes:

Diabetes can strike at any age, but the risk increases as we grow older. It often comes with diminished blood flow to your extremities, which can make your feet uncomfortably cold and cause cuts to not heal quickly. There are many other issues that come with diabetes, such as Peripheral Arterial Disease which is a restriction of blood vessels.

If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you check in with your podiatrist and regularly check your feet. Any changes in look or feel should be noted and reported to your foot doctor!

The best thing you can for your feet as they age is to keep a great relationship with your podiatrist. Dr. Adam Mucinskas here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists works with feet of all ages! He utilizes the most up-to-date technology for diagnostics and treatments of any foot or ankle issue you might be experiencing. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416