Why Should I See A Podiatrist As I Age?

I was recently asked why it is so important to see a podiatrist as we age. During our life time it is estimated that we will walk the equivalent of 3.5 times around the world. That is a lot of hard work for our feet. Our feet are not exempt from undergoing age related changes. So what are some of the main reasons it is so important for our more mature citizens to visit a podiatrist:

● Many systemic medical conditions exhibit signs and symptoms in the feet first. For example, signs and symptoms of diabetes may be picked up in the feet first as they are the furthest part of the body from the heart and brain.

● Nails often become thicker and harder with age making them difficult to cut yourself. Not to mention, they may be more difficult to reach for people who have issues with their knees, hips, backs and shoulders.

● There are 66 joints and 52 bones in a pair of feet. That makes our feet a complex bit of machinery. With age and time, these bones may become thinner and cartilage may wear between joints. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are common issues we see in our more senior patients that we are well equipped to treat.

● Skin may become thinner whilst also being more prone to corns and calluses. Hard skin (corns and calluses) may be not only painful but can change the way we walk, lead to more falls and trips and occasionally can turn into an ulcer. It is important to see a podiatrist regularly to have corns and callus removed and determine the cause to help with long term prevention.

● Podiatrists can monitor for changes to feeling and circulation in your feet. At ProMed Podiatry we routinely monitor for changes to sensation (feeling) and blood flow (circulation) in your feet. This may be through visual observation, palpation (feeling) or with our specialised equipment.

So next time you think about doing a general health check don’t forget your feet. The friendly podiatrists at Promed Podiatry will happily look after your feet whether it’s for painful nails, hard skin, diabetes, painful feet or a bit of pampering. We look forward to seeing you.

See our article for 5 tips for looking after your feet.

Sarah Youngson

Podiatrist