What to Do About Aging Feet

At Goldsmith Podiatry, we know that if you’re a senior, you’ve already put quite a few miles on your feet. While it’s expected that as you age, your feet will start to show signs of “wear and tear,” it’s important to know that foot pain and difficulty walking are not normal or inevitable! Below are some changes you can expect in your feet as you get older.

• Loss of fat pads—one area that diminishes in your feet is the fat pads on your soles and heels. As these thin, your feet absorb more shock from walking, and you may notice they feel sore at the end of the day.

• Changes in skin and toenails—the increased pressure on the skin of the feet due to the loss of fat padding may cause the skin on your feet to become dry and even cracked. Toenails may also begin to thicken due to hormonal changes that cause nails to grow slower.

• Decreased elasticity in tendons and ligaments—it’s natural for ligaments and tendons in your feet (and elsewhere in your body) to relax as you age. This can cause your arch to become lower and lead to heel pain. It also may mean your foot will spread and get larger.

• Joint discomfort—you may experience stiffness and pain in the joints of your feet, toes, and ankles, as well as decreased range of motion.

Preserving Foot Health

Fortunately, there’s much you can do to compensate and combat these changes. The place to start is at our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 and scheduling an appointment with our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia, and Dr. Kristina Ruff. The doctors will evaluate the present condition of your feet and any particular pain or other symptoms you are experiencing. Some steps you can take on your own include:

• Improve your footwear—measure your feet professionally to see if your size has changed. Buy quality shoes that fit your feet properly. Rotate footwear and avoid wearing styles that cramp your forefoot or hurt in any way.

• Consider orthotics—ask the podiatrist if a custom orthotic might help you. These can help boost arch support and position your foot to remove pressure from vulnerable areas. Padded insoles will make walking and standing more comfortable.

• Follow a basic foot care routine—keep your feet clean and dry. Moisturize them nightly if dry skin is a problem. Cut nails regularly or ask for help if it is becoming difficult to keep them properly trimmed.

• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly—maintaining a healthy weight decreases stress on your feet. Movement and exercise will help improve circulation and keep feet flexible.