Foot and ankle concerns are too often overlooked by the general public. Our feet are the foundation of our body.
Examining our feet can help us identify early symptoms of other serious disorders such as vascular disease and diabetes.
Foot issues can also cause other problems throughout our body.
Normal changes to the foot as we age include:
- The foot becomes wider and longer
- There is mild settling of the arch which is seen as flattening of the foot
- The fat pad on the bottom of the heel thins out, causing loss of natural padding and spring in the step
- The foot and ankle lose some of their normal range of motion and become stiffer
- There can be some loss of balance while walking
As these physical changes occur, shoe sizes and support needs also change and must be addressed.
Some foot changes can occur that are abnormal or pathological. These problems do not happen naturally and many can be prevented, or their progress halted, by addressing ill-fitting shoes, adding supportive orthotics, surgery, or other modifications.
Abnormal changes to the foot include:
- Bunions (the formation of a large bump on the big toe, which starts to point toward the little toes)
- Hammering of the toes (curling of the toes)
- Clawing of the toes (more severe curling of the toes)
- Tailor’s bunion (the formation of a large bump on the smallest toe, which starts to point toward the large toe)
- Calluses or corns, which occur on the toes or foot due to high pressure over bony areas
- Morton’s neuromas (“pinched nerve” between the toes)
- Arthritis of the joints
Early detection and treatment of problems help keep individuals on their feet and active.
For all your foot problems, visit The Podiatrist
http://www.thepodiatrist.co.nz
