Common Foot Issues Associated with Aging

Most people don’t think of potential foot issues when they think of getting older, but there are several problems that can affect not just the health of your feet, but your overall health as well. Here are a couple of the more common ones.

Skin Problems

As the body ages, certain changes to the skin of the feet can occur. These include the thinning of skin, which can reduce the fat layer underneath and reduce the ability of your feet to bear weight. If you have dry skin on the soles of your feet, you may want to apply moisturizer daily to help prevent cracking. As the fat pads on the soles of the feet get smaller, that can lead to increased sensitivity and pain. Seborrheic keratosis is a skin lesion that can become itchy over time. While this is not something that typically requires medical attention, it often has the same appearance as skin cancer. If you notice a brown or black discoloration, check with your Plano podiatrist to make sure it is seborrheic keratosis and not melanoma.

Orthopedic Issues

A lot of people experience changes in the shape or size of their feet as they age. In fact, changes of a half-size or more are not at all uncommon. This is due to changes happening in your tendons and ligaments. However, while this is normal, it can also lead to an increased risk of muscle strains, torn tendons, tendonitis and other foot issues.

These are just two of the many foot issues that can come about because of aging. If you are experiencing foot problems, talk to an expert with Southwest Foot and Ankle Center. Give us a call at 972-805-9985 in Plano, 972-318-2738 in Lewisville or 972-318-2655 in Irving or contact us online to schedule an appointment.