Your feet work very hard your whole life! They get you where you need to go and back, and sometimes take a lot of abuse while doing so! It’s important to know the changes that will come to your feet as you age. Knowing this will help you know what to do to keep your feet in shape to avoid complications. Even with proper exercise and exquisite care, you might still develop one or more of the following issues in your golden years:

Arthritis – Your feet have more than 30 joints. Everyday use can cause any of these joints in your feet and ankles to become painfully inflamed with arthritis. It’s typically your big toe that is affected, which can exacerbate deformities like bunions or hammertoes.

Loss of balance – As you age, your balance and coordination can waver. Diabetes can also be a contributing factor to balance difficulties and falls. Custom-made orthotics can help correct issues, minimize falls, and provide stability.

Swelling – The natural hormonal shifts that come with advanced age can cause your feet to swell. Certain medications and peripheral artery disease can make edemas appear or worsen as well.

Skin issues – Lesions and moles naturally occur on aging skin. These spots are often harmless, but if you notice a change in color or size or any other abnormality, it should always be seen by your foot doctor. As we age, our collagen levels deplete, which can make your feet drier than they were in your youth as well.

Lasting abrasionsDiabetes, vein diseases, and other ailments are more common with old age. These conditions can slow down blood flow to your feet and can make abrasions, cuts, or blisters harder to heal.

Changes in our bodies are as natural as the aging process. Taking care of our bodies – especially our feet – can help mitigate some of the lasting effects of time, and seemingly slow the aging process down. One way to ensure good foot health that will last until your golden years is to have your feet and ankles evaluated by your podiatrist.

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Adam Mucinskas can help recommend best practices to help your feet age gracefully. If you’re a patient with diabetes looking for a professional, friendly foot doctor, give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416