April 24, 2023
With 11 million Canadians living with diabetes, chances are high that you or someone you know has one of the various forms of the condition. Diabetes can directly impact the health of our feet, which can cause various foot problems if left untreated. From nerve damage and reduced blood vessel functionality in our feet and legs, proper foot care is essential to help manage and live with diabetes. Read on to learn more about common foot conditions in diabetic patients, prevention, and when to seek professional help.
Common foot problems in diabetic patients
Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, leading to serious foot problems if left untreated. Proper foot care is crucial for people with diabetes to prevent complications. The most common foot conditions in diabetic patients are:
Neuropathy
Foot ulcers
Infections
Calluses and corns
Dry skin
Peripheral vascular disease
Charcot foot
Because they're at aa heightened risk of certain foot conditions, diabetes patients should take extra precautions when caring for their feet.
Diabetic foot care prevention and management
So, what does caring for your feet when one has diabetes mean precisely?
The key element of diabetic foot care is prevention; this is the best way to manage the effects of diabetes on your feet. We recommend following a mix of the following to help manage any side effects of diabetes effectively and to help prevent any existing conditions from worsening:
Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, or other abnormalities.
Wash your feet with warm water and mild soap daily. Dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes.
Apply a moisturizing cream or lotion regularly, but avoid applying it between your toes, as this can create a moist environment that promotes fungal growth.
Cut your toenails straight across and file the edges when trimming. Avoid cutting the corner or cutting nails too short, as you may increase your risk of ingrown toenails. It is best to get this done by a chiropodist to prevent complications.
Choose shoes that fit well and provide good support. Avoid shoes with pointed toes or high heels, as they can cause pressure points that can lead to blisters and calluses. Pair good shoes with clean, dry socks.
Protect your feet from injury by wearing shoes or slippers at all times.
Have your feet examined by a healthcare provider at least once a year. You should also see a chiropodist or podiatrist for foot care (i.e.: callus treatment, nail trimming) at least every 2 - 3 months, especially if you have foot problems or are at high risk for foot complications. DIY foot care for people with diabetes can lead to unintended complications.
When to seek professional help when experiencing diabetes-related foot conditions
There are several specific situations where we recommend seeking professional help regarding diabetes-related foot conditions. If you experience any of the following, seek medical attention shortly:
Suppose something is on your feet, like a cut, bump, bruise, lesion, or skin irregularities. With diabetes, you're at a higher risk of these conditions worsening. If you notice any wounds or sores on your feet, you should seek professional help immediately.
A pre-existing condition worsens rather than improves.
You lose feeling in your feet or toes.
Sudden bouts of swelling or inflammation
Since diabetic foot care is all about preventing and managing the effects of diabetes, recognizing signs and symptoms early (whether yourself or through check-ups) is critical to staying healthy.
How a foot clinic can help with diabetic foot care
A foot clinic can be your best friend when managing and preventing foot problems in diabetic patients. Prevention is key when it comes to managing and treating diabetes-related foot complications. Foot clinics offer regular check-ups on common foot conditions, advice on a diabetic foot care routine, shoe fittings, footwear recommendations, and custom orthotics. If you have diabetes, you should attend at a foot clinic every 2 to 3 months
March 23, 2023
Diabetes is a serious illness that affects people from all over the world. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to several complications, like heart disease, kidney problems, vision issues, oral health deterioration, and more. But one of the most common problems diabetes patients face is diabetic foot pain and other foot problems that can transform into serious complications when left unchecked.
Today's blog will discuss the following:
The causes of diabetic foot pain
Diabetes-related foot complications
Diabetic foot pain treatment at a foot clinic
Self-care tips and at-home diabetic foot care
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
What Causes Diabetic Foot Pain?
The main culprit behind type 1 and type 2 diabetes-related foot pain is diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes patients struggle with four types of neuropathy, all of which cause nerve damage:
Peripheral Neuropathy: This is the most relevant categorization of neuropathy when discussing foot pain causes. It affects the lower extremities (feet and legs), arms and hands. It occurs when high blood sugar and triglyceride levels damage the nerves and tiny blood vessels in the circulatory system, causing poor blood flow. Symptoms include shooting foot pain, "pins and needles," numbness, weakness and burning sensations.
Autonomic Neuropathy: This is similar to peripheral, except the nerve damage affects the body's organs rather than the limbs.
Proximal Neuropathy: A rare type of nerve damage that causes severe hip, buttock, or thigh pain.
Focal Neuropathies: Rare singular/local (hence "focal") nerve damage, typically in the hand, head, torso, or leg.
Diabetes-Related Foot Complications
Whether it's numbness or pain, it is extremely important to pay attention to the warning signs your feet give when you have diabetes.
Moreover, your feet often fail to signal problems to your brain due to neuropathy. This means you also need to consistently inspect your feet and visit a foot specialist for an extra set of eyes and expertise (more on that later!)
If you don't, debilitating complications with varying degrees of pain and discomfort may creep up. These include:
Skin changes like dry skin and cracked heels. This occurs due to nerve damage preventing your body's natural oil and moisture production.
If you cannot feel cold, heat and other sensations on your feet, you may be unaware of a foot injury. This can lead to a worsening injury or infection if the skin is broken and you haven't noticed.
Calluses are common in people with diabetes, and the more they thicken, the more likely they are to become an ulcer (open sores or lesions that will not heal).
Peripheral artery disease (plaque buildup in the arteries) can arise in diabetic patients. Like neuropathy, it reduces blood flow, so you don't notice ulcers, infections and injuries. Aggressive infections and ulcers without treatment can lead to gangrene or amputations.
Edema (swelling): This is caused by nerve damage and the subsequent fluid buildup in the body's lower extremities. Swelling can cause pain and mobility problems.
Diabetic Foot Pain Treatment at a Foot Clinic
Since diabetes impacts our feet, patients should find a chiropodist and schedule regular appointments. The general recommendation is no less than once yearly but more frequently if nerve damage is present.
Not only can foot specialists help with pain management, but consistent foot inspections are critical for spotting the beginning stages of a complication.
Some of the main ways chiropodists help with diabetic foot pain include:
Skin health assessments and maintenance
Foot assessments
Custom orthotics
Footwear recommendations
Skin Health Assessments and Maintenance
This is one of the most important jobs a chiropodist will do. They can notice signs of ulcer development, infections and other skin abnormalities. Chiropodists also perform regular diabetic foot care on diabetes patients, so they don't develop ingrown toenails or fungal infections.
Foot Assessments
Your chiropodist will check your vascular (circulation) health via regular inspections. They will also check your foot temperature, look for swelling, and check the colour of your feet. They can also ask what type of foot sensations you're feeling, like tingling, shooting pain or burning and proceed from there. This is included with Feet First Clinic's diabetic foot care services.
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics make walking much easier, as they distribute body weight evenly across the foot while reducing pressure and friction and relieving the foot's pressure points. They also help regulate your motion and correct any abnormal gait patterns you develop while struggling with foot pain. Chiropodists can provide orthotics via a thorough a biomechanical assessment.
Footwear Recommendations
Footwear modifications can help reduce diabetic foot pain, and the special shapes and designs of orthpaedic footwear can accommodate neuropathy symptoms more successfully than standard footwear. Diabetic patients often need deep shoes to support orthotics and to manage the discomfort and pain they experience when dealing with swelling. Diabetes patients also need footwear with little to no seams in order to reduce pressure points and friction against the foot. Companies such as APEX and Anodyne make shoes especially for diabetes patients.
Self-Care Tips and At-Home Diabetic Foot Care
Orthopedic slippers can help manage foot pain and allow you to move around your home more freely.
Soak your feet in a warm foot bath to ease stress and soothe aches and pains.
Try your best to regulate blood sugar levels to help fight nerve damage.
Inspect your feet and keep them clean. Note: do not try to get rid of calluses and other skin abnormalities on your own. Schedule an appointment with your chiropodist if you notice callus buildup or skin problems.
Keep on top of diabetes routines not directly related to your feet. This includes proper medication management and regularly checking your blood pressure at the local pharmacy and doctor's office.
Light exercises and stretches can be beneficial for diabetic foot pain. For example, rolling your feet on a ball (or water bottle) or scrunching your toes to pick up a towel can strengthen your feet. And those are just two examples! Most foot stretches are easy to perform and relieve pain in different ways. Low-impact activities like swimming and walking can also be beneficial.
February 23, 2023
Foot health isn't just important because it keeps the foundation of your body in good condition. There is also a direct link between foot health and overall wellness!
Forgetting to practice foot care and foot pain management can trigger a domino effect that leads to other health problems. If you have a nagging sense that your body and mind feel generally "unwell," it could all stem from neglecting to take care of your body's foundation and lower extremities.
Here are some of the most common problems associated with poor foot health that we'll discuss today:
Back, hip and knee pain
Posture and balance
Heart health and diabetes
Mental health
Back, Hip and Knee Pain
Our body's joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves need our feet to be in good shape. If they aren't, it can lead to a concerning trickle-down (or trickle-up!) effect that jeopardizes the rest of our body. The most common symptoms of this effect are back pain, hip pain and knee pain.
First, your lower back will take a hit if you don't wear shoes with proper shock absorption and arch support. The effects will transfer upwards, resulting in low back pain. People who work long hours without the right footwear often notice this and not know the reason why.
Furthermore, if you have frequent foot pain, it will alter your gait. This means you adopt abnormal walking patterns to navigate life with chronic pain, such as using your tip-toes or the outside of the feet to bear weight. The unusual walking pattern causes extra strain on the joints and muscles in your lower body from having to move in ways they weren't designed to move. This kickstarts feelings of pain and tightness in the lower back and knees. Your ankles may also roll slightly inwards or outward while walking. People with flat feet or high arches are at risk of experiencing gait-related back and knee pain.
Plantar fasciitis and bunions can also trigger back pain. If you neglect to treat plantar fasciitis, the plantar fascia ligament can become so inflamed that other muscles have to compensate in order to support your weight. This ultimately affects your back. Likewise, bunions cause a misshapen structure in the feet, which can alter your posture and make it difficult to fit into supportive shoes.
Modifying movements due to foot pain also takes a toll on your hips. Bilateral foot pain can lead to pain in the corresponding hips, often due to multi-joint arthritis.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
Heart Health and Diabetes
These connections aren't as farfetched as you think!
Your heart is responsible for transferring oxygen-enriched blood and nutrients to your lower extremities, so if the heart cannot do this for any reason, your feet can mirror your general heart health and wellness. For example, illnesses like diabetes can be a major sign of extremely restricted blood circulation; foot swelling and numbness can be symptoms of this.
Your feet can also show signs of serious heart issues, like heart disease and peripheral artery disease. You may not be able to feel a pulse in your feet, or you may notice excessively shiny skin or hair loss on your toes. Heart failure can also cause foot swelling due to excessive fluid build-up. Plaque accumulation in the arteries can also lead to foot numbness and pain, warning you of peripheral artery disease.
Photo by Puwadon Sang-ngern from Pexels
Posture and Balance
There is a direct correlation between foot and ankle health and posture and balance. According to a study on gait posture published by the National Library of Medicine, poor postural balance in the upright position can pose a greater risk of sudden falls and resulting foot injuries in older people. The study found that improving toe flexor strength via foot stretches and exercises contributes to overall improved postural balance in people over 60.
But it could also be the shape of your foot that lets you down. For instance, people with flat feet risk experiencing muscular imbalances in the legs, ankles and hips. Luckily, simple and non-invasive foot clinic services can help people with flat feet curb this problem, such as wearing custom orthotics or shoes that support a flat arch.
Mental Health
Can't hike on your favourite trails due to foot pain? Or perhaps you simply struggle to get out of the house due to mobility issues.
Since our feet keep us moving, there is a clear link between mental and foot health. Time and time again, fitness proves to be helpful to those struggling with mental illness. But without cooperative feet, it can feel impossible to be physically fit, which leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Feeling stuck inside too often can also cause psychological stress and loneliness. Furthermore, the feeling of consistent pain can cause anxiety and depression.
It can also work both ways. According to a study in Arthritis Care and Research Vol. 66, chronic foot pain can also be a symptom, or manifestation, of major depression.
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
February 16, 2023
You should not take foot conditions lightly. Many start with minor symptoms that you can easily brush off, but they may soon progress into an issue that impedes your daily life. Regular foot exams are the number one way to be proactive about your foot health.
The concept of a foot exam is self-explanatory: a specialist will take a close look at your feet and pinpoint any disconcerting abnormalities, whether minor or severe. This will help clarify whether you have a foot conditions and, if so, its severity. Then you can implement ways to prevent the condition from worsening, get rid of it entirely or learn to successfully live with it.
Let's take a closer look at foot exams, what they entail and who needs them the most!
Facts About Foot Exams
A foot exam includes a physical examination of the feet and lower legs. The chiropodist will assess your range of motion and joints, but they will also pay close attention to your nail and skin health. They will also consider the shape of your feet and look for deformities, such as bunions. They may also assess the biomechanics of your feet.
Foot exams are equal parts educational and preventative. For example, you may learn something about your feet that you didn't know, like your arch type (flat feet vs. high arches).
While it's true that some people need foot exams more than others, you don't have to have a serious foot condition to book a foot exam. It's okay to schedule one as a means of being proactive and having peace of mind.
When a chiropodist performs a foot exam, they will consider any symptoms you mention. For instance, if you tell them you have recently been experiencing heel pain, they may suspect you have plantar fasciitis and recommend ways you can treat it and feel better.
Exams can be a good way to assess your healing progress after sustaining one of many foot injuries. Whether it's an ankle sprain or a broken toe, it's always good to ensure you're on the mend. This is only recommended after the acute treatment phase passes.
Foot Exams For Early Detection and Prevention of Serious Medical Issues
For some people, foot exams are just as critical as cancer screenings. For example, diabetic foot care can save lives.
The National Library of Medicine notes that people with diabetes should get a foot exam at least every year due to microvascular, neuropathic, and biomechanical changes to the foot. If the patient has a series of noticeable foot complications or peculiar symptoms, they can see their chiropodist for an exam every six months or less. These symptoms may include:
Tingling
Numbness
Pain
Difficulty walking
Swelling
Burning
Without annual foot assessments, it can be easy to miss critical wounding since people with diabetes often don't feel sensations in their lower extremities. The exact term for this is diabetic neuropathy, and it occurs after microvascular changes start restricting blood flow to the body's limbs and feet.
Diabetic foot care is a series of routine foot assessments performed by a chiropodist at a foot and ankle clinic. An evaluation can determine the severity levels of diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, a thorough exam can detect the presence of wounds, cuts and scrapes before they get worse.
As far as complications go, wounds can often turn into diabetic ulcers. Around 15% of diabetes patients experience a diabetic ulcer in the foot, and as many as 24% of those patients will need an amputation. This can have a devastating impact on someone's overall quality of life and is why foot exams are crucial for people suffering from this disease.
If you have diabetes, you need regular foot exams to prevent serious foot health complications. Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels.
Aging and Foot Assessments
When you get older, all of the ligaments and tendons in your feet get weaker. UCLA Health notes that, as a result, your feet can flatten, and your toes and foot length can increase. Many older people don't realize these changes are occurring and assume they are the same shoe size.
But with recurrent foot exams, a chiropodist will be able to pinpoint when these changes start to happen. A foot specialist can also monitor these changes and keep their eyes peeled for bunion and hammertoe development, which are much more likely to occur in seniors, particularly women. Your chiropodist may also advise you to change your footwear since wearing the same ill-fitting shoes can majorly contribute to several foot conditions.
Different types of arthritis are also a common risk for older feet. With foot exams, you'll gain knowledge about the likelihood of onset arthritis. This will help you get a head start in managing this condition, which may include implementing a healthy exercise routine.
Foot exams are also important for detecting other conditions commonly found in older people before they start impeding mobility. These include corns, calluses and toenail fungal infections.
February 13, 2023
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Diabetes is particularly prevalent in Canada. The disease affects 1 in 3 Canadians.
One of its common complications is diabetic foot injuries. Proper foot care for diabetes patients is critical as they are at higher risk for foot problems due to nerve damage, poor blood flow and a compromised immune system. Neglecting foot care can lead to severe complications such as infections, ulcers, and even amputation.
But don't worry; there are several ways to curb diabetes' effect on the feet and toes. The key is to follow a proper and regular foot care routine. Our latest blog explores the importance of proper foot care for people with diabetes. From regular check-ups to the right shoes, we've got the latest information on keeping your feet healthy and happy. Read more below.
What risk(s) does diabetes pose to the feet?
Diabetes puts you at risk for the following foot complications:
Ulcers: Sores or open wounds may develop due to poor blood circulation and nerve damage.
Infections: Bacterial or fungal infections can be severe for people with diabetes and quickly spread to the bones, tissues, and blood.
Foot deformities: Conditions of the feet include hammertoes, bunions, and Charcot's foot. Foot deformities may develop due to nerve damage and imbalanced forces on the foot.
Nerve damage: Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet.
Diabetes symptoms on the feet
People with diabetes may experience some symptoms on their feet, or none at all. These symptoms can affect anyone, but they're especially important to be on the lookout for if you have, or are at risk of, diabetes. Signs of diabetic foot injuries may include any number of the following:
Whiteness or a loss of pigment colour around the toes
Redness in the feet around a cut or wound, or redness in the feet when your foot hangs down
Bruising and blistering
Calluses and corns
Cracks in the skin
Lumps/bumps on the sole
Irregularities in the toes, including misaligned toes, bone spurs, swelling and inflammation, or discolouration
Open sores on the feet that are not healing, or healing very slowly
Unusual foot odour that won't go away
If you have diabetes and notice any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or chiropodist immediately.
Why is proper medical foot care necessary for diabetic patients?
Proper foot care is critical for diabetic patients because diabetes can cause nerve and blood vessel damage in the feet. Damage to the nerves and blood vessels contributes to loss of sensation and reduced blood flow in the feet. In tandem, the reduced blood flow compromises your body's ability to properly heal itself. That means something seemingly minor like a cut or scrape can quickly progress to more severe complications, like infection, ulcers, other foot injuries and even amputation. Because diabetes reduces sensation in your feet, you may not be able to feel these complications. To top it all off, diabetes also affects your vision, so you may not even see any developing foot problems either until it's too late.
Fortunately, regular foot check-ups with a chiropodist, proper hygiene, and exercise can help prevent these complications and maintain good foot health for diabetes patients.
Likewise, patients with diabetes should seek medical assistance when dealing with foot conditions like corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, or warts. Trying to DIY poses challenges and complications that aren't worth risking; just a nick when cutting your toes can lead to major problems. Chiropodists can properly treat these common foot conditions in a safe, clean environment so that they don't develop into bigger issues.
How can I prevent diabetic foot complications?
Diabetic patients should take the following steps for proper foot care:
Visit a chiropodist regularly for check-ups and preventative professional foot care, such as getting your nails properly trimmed and filed.
Inspect feet daily for cuts, blisters, swelling, or redness.
Keep feet clean and dry.
Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes and socks to avoid rubbing and pressure.
Custom orthotics to correct any biomechanical issues and prevent buildup of pressure on parts of the feet.
Avoid walking barefoot, even at home.
Exercise regularly to improve circulation.
Regulate blood sugar levels by following a diet, exercise, and medication regimen as directed by a healthcare provider.
By following these guidelines, diabetic patients can significantly reduce their risk of foot problems and maintain good foot health.
How can a chiropodist help manage diabetic foot conditions?
A chiropodist is a healthcare professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. They provide routine diabetic foot care, such as cutting and filing nails, removing calluses, and treating skin and nail conditions. As discussed above, it's highly recommended that diabetes patients get their nails properly trimmed and filed by a chiropodist in order to avoid any cuts, nicks, bruises or ingrown toenails. Remember: diabetes affects your vision too, so DIY foot care in diabetes patients can be dangerous. Something as small as a scrape can lead to serious foot complications.
A foot check-up with a chiropodist aims to identify and treat any problems that could affect the health of the feet and lower limbs and to provide advice and support to help people with diabetes maintain good foot health. During a diabetic foot care appointment, your chiropodist will assess the nails and skin on your feet for any signs of fungal or bacterial infections, corns, calluses, or other skin conditions. They also check the feet for circulation and sensation in order to monitor peripheral vascular disease and diabetic neuropathy - two very common diabetic foot injuries. In addition, chiropodists also have the expertise to treat more complex conditions, such as foot and ankle injuries, and can advise on foot health and the use of orthotics. A chiropodist can perform a biomechanical assessment, evaluate your footwear and may recommend shoes that fit correctly and provide adequate support.
February 6, 2023
Age is just a number, but age starts to catch up with us at a certain point. As much as we want aging to slow, getting older comes with its fair share of aches and pains.
Few people age the same; it is a complex process. Environment, genetics, exercise, and many other factors mould who we become as we enter our elderly years. This also applies our feet. As we age, our feet become more susceptible to various conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, bunions, foot injuries and chronic pain.
Our latest blog is all about common foot conditions in the elderly and how to treat them.
What happens to our feet as we age?
Did you know that when you turn 70, you'll be 25,550 days old? That helps put the body's remarkable ability to withstand constant wear and tear into perspective.
Beyond just a number, there are also physiological changes that occur as we age. Your feet may get bigger. Your feet may widen. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments also wear down, putting you at greater risk of certain foot conditions.
You may notice you experience foot pain and other problems more often. Any number of the following may happen:
Weakness
Frailty
Exhaustion
Gait alteration
Balance difficulties
Increased swaying while walking
Decreased walking
Walking speed
As we age, it's essential to check how you feel regularly. A bonus would be to have your feet checked regularly. Our team of expert foot specialists can help you manage acute and chronic conditions that affect the toes, feet, and ankles.
Most common foot conditions in the elderly
Foot conditions amongst the elderly may include bone injuries, toenail damage, foot deformities, and muscle and tendon damage. It's important to note that most of these conditions are not specific to the elderly, but age contributes to increased risk.
Below we break down the following common foot conditions in the elderly and how to treat them:
Bunions
Osteoarthritis
Fat Pad Atrophy
Thickened or Discoloured Toenails
Gout
Plantar Fasciitis
Stress Fractures
1. Bunions
What are bunions?
A bunion is a deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint ("MTP" joint for short). The first MTP is the joint of the big toe. (Essentially, the big toe's "knuckle.) Damage to this joint can cause bone misalignment over time. Eventually, the bone shifts and protrudes at the base of the big toe. Bunions affect approximately one quarter to one third of adults, and women experience the foot condition more often than men.
As we age, bunions worsen. Although there is no "cure" for a progressive foot deformity, you can lessen the effects and pain associated with bunions through several habitual changes.
How can I treat bunions?
You can choose either invasive treatment or non-invasive bunion treatment. In most cases, you can manage bunions with non-invasive treatments, though surgery is the only way to remove the bump altogether.
Footwear modification: Avoid tight shoes that squeeze the toes and ditch your high heels. You may also find that orthopedic shoes that stretch or come in wide widths effectively accommodate your bunion in your footwear. Shoe stretching is also an effective method for changing the structure of your current footwear.
Anti-inflammatories: Specific medication like NSAIDs or ibuprofen reduces joint inflammation and relieves pain.
Splints/aligners: Medical-grade bunion splints and bunion aligners help stabilize the joint. You can choose from medical-grade plastics or a toe sleeve based on your preferred rigidity.
Taping: A specialist tapes the joint to keep the big toe in place, prevent further misalignment, and manage pain and inflammation.
Supportive insoles or custom orthotics: Supporting your arches and correcting poor biomechanics can reduce pressure and strain on the first MTP joint.
Bunion exercises: Basic exercises to strengthen foot muscles can better support and stabilize the joint, thus decreasing pain over time.
The treatments you see above are all available at Feet First Clinic.
2. Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is not only the most common variant of arthritis; it is also one of the most common foot conditions in the elderly. Osteoarthritis is the "wear-and-tear" arthritis that causes degeneration of the cartilage in our joints. Reduced cartilage in our joints causes pain and can lead to other foot conditions like bone spurs. Your toes are most susceptible to osteoarthritis.
Age plays a significant role in developing osteoarthritis. Wear and tear of our joints accumulate over time. Also, post-menopausal women risk developing osteoarthritis through osteoporosis (low bone density).
How can I treat osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, meaning what's done cannot reverse. The cartilage in your joints doesn't re-grow, so treatment aims to slow the effects of osteoarthritis and reduce pain. Effective treatment includes a combination of the following:
Active rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, massage, and exercise all help reduce the effects of osteoarthritis by promoting solid muscles. Stronger and more balanced muscles and feet reduce the strain on affected areas where you may have osteoarthritis.
Medication: Anti-inflammatories can help control inflammation.
Proper footwear: Specialized shoes can accommodate deformities of osteoarthritis (like bunions or hallux rigidus). The right shoes or boots can support your feet, provide balance, and offer cushion.
Custom orthotics: Orthotics can be customized to add or reduce your reliance on certain parts of your feet. Controlling the impact on affected joints can help prevent further joint damage by distributing the impact and weight elsewhere.
Limit awkward movements: If you find your joints are sore after a particular activity, consider reducing, modifying, or stopping the activity. For instance, if lunges hurt your foot, consider finding a replacement exercise.
Surgery: If the joint is damaged extensively, a doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery and removing part of a bony outgrowth can be effective if the sheer volume of bone buildup is the culprit.
If you experience osteoarthritis and are looking for orthotics, a gait analysis, or proper footwear, visit Feet First Clinic for solutions.
3. Fat pad atrophy
What is fat pad atrophy?
The heel fat pad is a cushion to absorb shock and distribute plantar force on impact. As we age, the heel fat pad gets atrophies and gets thinner. This can put you at a greater risk of heel injuries and other foot conditions. The increased pressure on the heel can cause you to overcompensate with other parts of your body, and weight distribution becomes unevenly distributed.
How can I treat fat pad atrophy?
You should reduce the pressure on your heel if you suffer from fat pad atrophy. Custom orthotics are effective as the personalized insoles provide padding and support and help distribute weight across the complex network of foot muscles. Be sure to also wear shoes with lots of padding and cushioning, like the ASICS Gel-Nimbus.
4. Thickened or Discoloured Toenails
What are thick or discoloured toenails?
Thick toenails and discoloured toenails are a byproduct of aging and are one of the most common foot conditions in the elderly.
As we get older, toenail growth declines. As such, nail cells begin to accumulate at a faster rate than nail growth. The accumulation of onychocytes (nail cells) causes thickened toenails. Alternatively, reduced circulation or acute trauma can cause thickened toenails.
Discoloured toenails, on the other hand, indicate damage to the nail or nail bed. Acute trauma to the nail causes discolouration, but so does reduced circulation. At an older age, we're at a greater risk of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Both diabetes and peripheral vascular disease cause reduced circulation in our feet and discoloured toenails.
How can I treat thick or discoloured toenails?
Toenail treatment for thickening and discolouration varies. To properly diagnose your feet and nails, book an appointment with a specialist at Feet First Clinic. Our nail care services involve proper trimming and filing of the toenails, addressing any pain or discomfort, and educating patients on proper hygiene and care.
For more information, visit our nail care and treatment page.
5. Gout
What is gout?
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis targeting the foot's joints. You may experience intermittent bouts of severe pain, including inflammation and hypersensitivity. During these episodes, any kind of activity becomes challenging, leaving you less mobile.
The prevalence of gout increases in older people. Elderly people are susceptible to gout for a few reasons: Renal function declines with age, there can be dietary changes, you may experience sudden weight gain, and certain medications for age-related conditions have indirect side effects that may lead to gout (i.e.: water pills, blood pressure medication).
How can I treat gout?
Before any treatment, the first step is to see a family doctor and a rheumatologist. Once diagnosed, you may be prescribed the following treatments, all of which aim to prevent future attacks, reduce pain, and improve quality of life:
Change your diet: Ditch food containing excessive purines. Avoid foods like red meat, certain types of seafood like sardines and mussels, alcohol, high fructose beverages, and yeast. Diet also impacts your weight. Maintaining a healthy and consistent diet can help reduce sudden weight gain and keep inflammation at bay.
NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce joint inflammation. Alternatively, corticosteroids are an option if one doesn't react to NSAIDs.
Stay or become active: Light-strengthening exercises, relaxing physical activity, and physiotherapy can improve quality of life and mobility in people with gout. Keeping your muscles strong also makes them less susceptible to inflammation build-up, which can trigger gout attacks.
Supportive footwear: Proper footwear can help you deal with any pain associated with gout as it reduces the impact on the joints.
6. Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the heel. The band of tissue on the underside of the foot gets inflamed and causes pain. Often, plantar fasciitis develops gradually over time. Changes in our body as we age can make this condition more common in the elderly.
How can I treat plantar fasciitis?
With proper care and treatment, most cases of plantar fasciitis heal with time. A foot specialist can guide you through the healing process and provide options for preventing it from recurring in the future.
There are several treatment methods available for plantar fasciitis.
Rest: Take a break, and let your heel recover by staying off your feet.
Supportive footwear: Wearing supportive footwear with strong arch support and a good heel counter is essential for managing and even preventing plantar fasciitis. Stability shoes are particularly helpful. Check out this article for our top recommended shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Rolling: Gently massage your heel using a tennis ball or frozen water bottle under the foot. Rolling helps massage and relieve the plantar fascia and encourages faster recovery.
Add stretching and strengthening exercises to your routine.
Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy delivers sound wave pulses to the injured fascia. This triggers your body's the healing process, making for a natural recovery. Shockwave therapy is extremely effective for cases of plantar fasciitis persisting more than 6 months.
Taping: Taping the heel engages other muscles and tendons of the foot, reducing the load on the plantar fascia.
Wear a splint: A splint helps keep your foot stable while you sleep.
Supportive Insoles or Custom Orthotics: A good supportive insole, like Superfeet Green, is tried, tested and true for helping with plantar fasciitis. If that doesn't work, or if there are biomechanical factors contributing to your plantar fasciitis, you can look into custom orthotics.
7. Stress fractures
What are stress fractures?
Stress fractures are micro-breaks of bones are another common foot condition in the elderly. When we age, bone growth slows, losing more bone than we generate. Our bone density also reduces. If your bone density drops too much, you develop osteoporosis. Weaker bones put the elderly at greater risk of stress fractures, whether acute, like when you fall or by too much repetition, like walking.
How can I treat a stress fracture?
The RICE method is critical to treating a stress fracture. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Untreated stress fractures can lead to bone shift, permanently altering the foot's biomechanics.
