Common Foot Problems in Your 50s and Beyond
Foot problems are a natural part of the aging process. They arise from the normal daily wear and tear of joints as well as thinning skin that becomes more fragile due to dryness and a loss of elasticity. We typically begin to see foot problems in our 40s and 50s, with some of the problems getting more severe or numerous as we age. Below is a list of the most common foot problems seen when we age, as well as a look at some treatment options for each condition. 1. Arthritis: Arthritis is often a reality of aging. Osteoarthritis is what we think of as wear-and- tear arthritis: that inevitable consequence of years of stress on the joints. The ankle joint, subtalar joint, and the big toe joint (first MTPJ) are three joints that frequently develop arthritis. Symptoms associated with bunions and hammer toes may worsen over the time due to the progression of arthritis within those toe joints. Another joint problem that can develop in older adults is gouty arthritis. Gout is a metabolic disease that often manifests as intense arthritis symptoms at the big toe joint. 2. Circulatory Changes and Foot and Ankle Swelling: One of the most common foot and ankle problems associated with aging is swelling. The cause of the swelling can be elusive, especially if it's not associated with an injury. Leg vein problems are a common cause of swelling and usually occur in a single limb at a time. Cardiovascular disease, certain medications, and hormonal changes are possible causes of swelling that occur in both limbs. 3. Bunions: Bunions are a result of years of added pressure on the balls of the feet that forces the toes out of alignment and eventually causes the big toe joint to stick out. This creates a not only unattractive bump, but a painful one as well. Women who wear pointy-toed shoes frequently and for a long period of time commonly suffer from this foot problem. Treatment options vary depending upon the severity of the bunion and the amount of pain it causes, but include switching to roomy shoes with a wide toe box such as Orthofeet’s specially engineered shoes that alleviate pressure on bunions, using OTC non-medicated bunion pads, taking pain medication, applying ice to the bunions after a long day of standing, wearing padded inserts, and as a last resort, surgery. 4. Hammertoes: Hammertoes are a deformity of the toe in which the muscle or ligament surrounding the toe joint is imbalanced. This causes the middle joint of the toe to bend and get stuck in a claw-like position. The bad news is that without proper treatment, hammertoe will get progressively worse and might require surgery to fix it. The good news is that it can be treated with simple exercises such as picking up marbles with the afflicted toe, stretching the toe manually several times a day, and wearing footwear with low heels and a deep toe box, like Orthofeet shoes for hammertoes that are designed with special technology that helps alleviate the problems caused by hammertoes. If the pain gets very sever, your podiatrist can use a cortisone injection for pain relief. Surgery is the last option and is only considered when the hammertoe cannot be corrected non-surgically. 5. Morton’s Neuroma: Morton’s neuroma is caused by a thickening of the tissue around a nerve leading to the toes. Neuromas most often appear between the 3rd and 4th toes and can be extremely painful. Severity of symptoms will determine treatment, such as orthotic insoles with arch supports and shoe pads to help reduce pressure on the nerve, steroid injections, and as a last resort, surgery such as decompression surgery or removal of the nerve. Orthofeet has a wide selection of shoes and orthotic insoles, designed to provide pain relief from Morton’s Neuroma.
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