As we age, our feet undergo natural changes that can impact mobility and your overall wellbeing. By understanding these changes, you can be a little more proactive with your foot care so that you can maintain strong, flexible and healthy feet, and continue enjoying an active lifestyle.
Get ready to find out more about all aspects of ageing feet, from exercise and stretches, self-care at home, the impact of menopause, and an overview of the most common foot problems over the age of 65, and the treatments available.
The 7 most common foot problems for people over 65
As you age, maintaining your health and mobility is key to staying independent and enjoying a better quality of life at home. However, over a third of people over 65 experience foot problems due to bone density loss, poor circulation, and general wear and tear.
By incorporating a simple self-care routine and scheduling regular podiatry visits, you can support healthy feet and a more comfortable ageing experience. Small daily adjustments in foot care can make a big difference in keeping you active and pain-free for years to come. These are some of the most common foot problems we treat at the clinic for people over 65.
Caring for ageing feet – how podiatry helps keep your feet in good walking order!
“When our feet hurt, we hurt all over”, Socrates.
When our feet hurt, it impacts our entire body, making it difficult to walk and stand, and affecting our overall mood. If you’re over 50, you’ve already taken millions of steps in your lifetime, and you probably already know just how crucial foot care becomes as you age.
Our feet are incredibly complex, with 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together to support us. Keeping them healthy is essential – not just for comfort, but for maintaining mobility and independence as we grow older.
Healthy feet, healthy heart – how they’re related
The heart is a powerful organ, pumping an average of 7,000 litres of blood through the body each day. When its ability to pump weakens – whether due to ageing or health conditions – the feet are often the first to feel the effects.
Since the heart must push blood all the way down to the feet, the furthest point from its source, and then work against gravity to return it, circulation in the feet can reveal a lot about overall health – especially heart health. Here are some symptoms to look out for.
High risk foot conditions – how to prevent further complications
If you have a “high risk foot” condition, then a little podiatry care can go a long way to ensuring your feet stay healthy for life. Unfortunately, high risk foot conditions can lead to amputations, and many of these can be avoided. Research has shown that at least half of the amputations that occur in Australia could have been prevented by increasing the level of general care and podiatry care. Read on to find out what you can do at home to maintain healthy feet.
5 ways menopause can affect your feet and what you can do at home
During menopause, one of the biggest changes is the decline in progesterone and oestrogen levels – hormones that play a key role in maintaining muscle mass and strength. This can affect the tendons and connective tissues in the feet, often leading to pain or discomfort.
Here are some common foot issues that may arise during perimenopause and menopause and what you can do at home to alleviate symptoms.
Stress Fractures in The Foot and Ankle – a Sign of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a progressive condition that may develop with age, causing a loss of bone mass. As we get older, bones become less dense and more brittle due to reduced absorption of calcium and vitamin D which are key nutrients that support bone health.
Weaker bones increase the risk of fractures, and many people may not realise they have osteoporosis until they experience a bone break. The feet are often an early indicator of overall health, and an unexplained stress fracture or broken bone in the foot can be one of the first signs of osteoporosis. This condition can also affect balance, raising the risk of falls, which is why it’s important to seek professional advice and treatment as early as possible.
Arthritis in the Big Toe: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (Hallux Rigidus)
If you’re feeling stiffness in your big toe, you may have Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus. Hallux Limitus is stiffness in the big toe and as the condition progresses, bone spurs and arthritis can develop in the toe and cause it to become rigid and inflamed, with very limited movement. This condition is called Hallux Rigidus, or osteoarthritis of the big toe.
Arthritis of the big toe can occur due to a variety of reasons and is more common in women than men. It mostly affects people over the age of 50 years, although the symptoms can start as early as 30 if there has been injury or trauma to the big toe. You’ll find a list of symptoms and an overview of how we treat this condition at Sanders Podiatry Clinics.
Poor circulation: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
The circulatory system is responsible for delivering blood, oxygen, and nutrients to our cells, while also removing waste products and toxins. Designed to flow in one direction, this system ensures cells stay nourished and eliminates what’s no longer needed. When circulation is disrupted, blood flow slows, which can severely affect your health.
Since the feet are the farthest point from the heart – the central hub of the circulatory system – they are often the first to show signs of circulation problems. This is why symptoms of poor circulation are typically noticed in the feet first.
If you suspect you have poor circulation in your feet, then it is important to speak with a health professional and find out if there are any underlying health concerns. Please call us at the clinic to make an appointment.
Let us help you maintain the health of your feet as you get older
If you have any questions or concerns about your feet, pop in and see the family-friendly podiatry team at Sanders. We know that good health starts from the ground up, and if you care for your feet with exercises, supportive footwear, and regular podiatry visits, your feet will better support your body well into your older years. Give us a call to make an appointment and we’ll help you understand what you can do at home to maintain your health and independence.
Sander Podiatry Adelaide – 08 8379 1456 (Greenhill Podiatry)