Importance of Foot Care for Seniors
The lower limbs and feet are a complex network of tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Ankle strength and mobility can be greatly impeded by ageing. Podiatrists are an essential part of your elderly healthcare team. They provide elderly foot care services, such as assessing foot movement and lower limb mobility, testing function, providing exercises for long-term care, and, if necessary, using therapeutic techniques to support rehabilitation and healing.
What Conditions Can Your Podiatrist Help Assess?
The Foot Practice can provide appropriate foot care for seniors, whether it is for you or your loved one. A few conditions our podiatrist can assist with are:
- Arthritis/Osteoarthritis. Arthritis is very common among older adults and can cause swelling and joint tenderness. One common condition is osteoarthritis, where the protective cartilage between the ends of bones wears down. This can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of flexibility, which increases the risk of falls and injuries. The Foot Practice can offer foot-care tips for seniors, including managing arthritis-related pain and recommending footwear that reduces friction on arthritic joints.
- Ankle stability. Ankle stability is pivotal in preventing fall-related injuries in the elderly. Geriatric podiatry not only treats current injuries but also prevents future complications. Our podiatrists specialising in elderly foot care can also recommend the right orthotic therapy to improve ankle stability, along with regular exercises to boost ankle mobility and strength.
- Diabetic feet. Diabetics’ feet are at risk of long-term chronic or debilitating conditions that may contribute to other health complications. Diabetes-related nerve conditions limit the feeling in the feet, leaving wounds unnoticed and untended. Restricted blood flow to the feet makes cuts more vulnerable to infection. Coupled with age-related issues like reduced mobility, diabetic feet among the elderly are hot spots for infection that lead to other disorders and health issues. Our podiatrists provide elderly foot care services like diabetic foot screenings, which assess the impact of diabetes on the foot and provide critical care and treatment.
What Other Services Do Podiatrists Provide For Elderly Patients?
At The Foot Practice, we provide a wide range of podiatry services for older adults. These include orthotic therapy, diabetic foot screenings, and 3D Gait Analysis. Many older adults simply can’t maintain proper nail care, especially with toenails. Skin and nail care can be especially helpful in elderly foot care, where our experienced podiatrists trim thickened or ingrown toenails, treat calluses and corns, and even manage diabetic foot ulcers. Our services include:
- 3D Gait Analysis to assess walking and mobility
- General assessment of the foot and lower limb
- Help select appropriate and comfortable footwear
- Customise orthotics and shoe insoles to address painful movement
- Provide advice for medical conditions (e.g., arthritis)
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Diabetic Foot Screening
Geriatric foot care is important and should be a part of your regular healthcare routine, just like a visit to your primary care physician. If you would like to learn more about foot care as you age, make an appointment at The Foot Practice today to discuss foot care for seniors, including lower back pain, foot and ankle injuries, or other limb discomfort.
