Treating Foot Problems in Elderly Men
As men navigate their senior years, their feet often start showing signs of wear. While we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center appreciate treating the elderly in general, men experience foot problems that are unique to their biology, preexisting men’s issues, and their lifestyles over the years. In this blog post, we’ll go over why these problems afflict men and what we can do to manage them.
Common Foot Conditions in Senior Men
For men, wear and tear often catch up in their old age. Years of activity can lead to osteoarthritis in the feet and ankles, which our patients often present as pain and stiffness in joints like the ankle, big toe, or midfoot.
Speaking of arthritis, Gout disproportionately affects older men due to naturally higher uric acid levels, which can be worsened by a poor diet full of red meat or alcohol. This often leads to excruciating pain in the big toe.
Ingrown toenails are also common, which often result from improper trimming due to difficulty reaching one's feet, combined with naturally thicker toenails. Decades of pressure and friction can also lead to painful calluses and corns, especially with the thinning of the natural fat padding in the feet.
Research has also found that men deal with Type 2 Diabetes more than women, so these poor diet choices are causing more than just arthritis. Peripheral issues such as Peripheral Neuropathy and Peripheral Artery Disease are more prevalent in elderly men, especially if there’s a history of smoking.
Between poor circulation, slow healing wounds and numbness, infections, heart attacks, and the risk of amputation are especially threatening in men’s old age without proper podiatric care.
Preventing Foot Conditions for Elderly Men
Because of these risks, elderly men need to stay on top of their foot health. Daily foot inspection for any cuts, sores, or changes in color/temperature is crucial, especially for those with diabetes or neuropathy.
Investing in properly fitting, supportive shoes with adequate cushioning and a wide toe box can prevent many common issues. This goes hand in hand with good foot hygiene, including daily washing and thorough drying, particularly between the toes, along with regularly changing socks to prevent fungal infections.
Toenail care is no different, but it should be handled by a podiatrist. Managing systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol is vital for foot circulation and overall health, so having a podiatrist monitor these is a safe bet.
From a lifestyle standpoint, we encourage you to keep moving. Try out some low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or cycling to maintain joint mobility without overdoing it.
At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.