Foot Problems in the Elderly

Most people that are around senior citizens and the elderly on a regular basis are full of care when they are walking down stairs and uneven ground.  This is because of the prevalence of falls and injuries that occur amongst those in their waning years.  When an elderly person falls, it tends to be a much more serious problem than when a person in their 30’s falls.  Bones are more brittle; ligaments and muscles are less elastic than ever before. If a senior citizen falls because they stumbled, the chances are high that they will break either a hip or an arm.

Many falls in elderly people originate because of one of the common foot problems.  Neuropathy, fractures, falling arches, cartilage deterioration, arthritis, etc. are some common problems with feet.   Some of these issues can be aided with proper shoes or inserts, some with are helped by supplementation to diet, and others might require surgical intervention.  In nearly all cases, however, finding a treatment or intervention will help alleviate pain and may even take it away completely.  It is not necessary to put up with pain daily if you’re able to do something about it.  Quality of life at this stage in life is important and preventing or stopping pain is necessary to improve your quality of life.  Don’t ever put up with pain if there is a way to treat it.

Neuropathy affects many people around the world.  If yours is due to trauma, your doctor will be able to tell you the best ways to treat it.  If it has just started, however, and you’re unsure how to treat the numbness, burning, itching and tingling sensations, investigate whether you have a vitamin B deficiency.  Vitamin B in adequate doses is important for healthy nerve function.  Also, be sure to check in on your consumption of alcohol, as over-indulgence in this area can cause symptoms of neuropathy, as well.

Fractures can become more common as we age, and since our feet must bear the burden of our body’s weight while our bones are losing some of their density, fractures occur.  Acute pain generally accompanies fractures, but it may not be unbearable pain.  I’ve known some older people who have fractured bones, and while it hurts terribly, they are usually reluctant to go to the doctor unless it has continued for a long period of time.  With fractured bones, though, waiting can be the worst thing to do.  If a fracture heals improperly, the uneven ends can develop bone spurs, which will give intermittent pain and discomfort for the rest of your life.  If you suspect a bone fracture, get it taken care of right away.

Falling arches affect many people of all ages.  Talk to your doctor if you think they may be a problem for you.  If you try to live without inserts or another kind of intervention, you may be living in pain that is completely unnecessary, but which is also completely preventable.

Deteriorating cartilage is common in ankles, knees, & hips, especially if you had a full-time job on your feet for most of your life.  There are injections that can help ease the pain of this, as well as supplements that the doctor may suggest.  There is also surgery, if it is bad enough.  Recovery time might cramp your style for a while, but the freedom of movement after you’ve recovered is worth it!  While you wait for surgery, be sure to try inserts and good shoes with ample support to see if the extras will alleviate a bit of the sharp pain that you’ve been experiencing.

Finally, arthritis affects most of the aging population in one way or another, even if it is not rheumatoid arthritis.  It is normally caused by inflammation, so research different foods that might be causing inflammation in your body.  Eliminating these could greatly reduce the arthritic pain that you suffer.  Taking supplements like capsicum can also aid against pain.

Whatever you feel your issues are, please seek help for them.  Foot/leg pain are not just a normal part of the aging process.  They are probably pointing to a deeper problem & that problem may be able to be solved.  Freedom of movement, freedom from pain, and better quality of life may be available to you if you’re willing to put in the “foot work” to seek out a solution!

Nail Changes in the Elderly


When do you remember noticing an elderly person's hand & fingernails for the first time?  When we are young, it can be startling to see the difference in hands & fingernails on our elderly friends & family.  We see those hands that have worked for years & many times for our benefit, yet through the years they begin to show definite signs of age & wear that are not as beautiful to look at as the heart behind their work.  We begin to see yellowing or discoloration, changes in thickness or brittleness, long ridges forming & other general signs of aging.  But what are these conditions?  Is there anything we can do to slow or stop the conditions?  If they are painful conditions, is there anything we can do to alleviate the pain & improve the quality of their everyday lives.

-Ridges on the nails.  Oftentimes this condition comes with age, but sometimes it can occur in younger years.  It is most often harmless & a manicurist will try to buff them out and make them a bit smoother.  If you notice that the ridges are horizontal across the fingernail, or are very deep or discolored, there may be reason for concern.  Horizontal ridges can indicate a thyroid problem, psoriasis, or malnutrition if the body is not absorbing the nutrients offered to it.  If you notice any of these things on yourself, or a loved one, speak up to a doctor about the changes & be sure that they get the help they need.

-Yellowing or discoloration.  Some people think that yellowing of the nails is a common condition that goes hand-in-hand with the aging process.  Slight changes are common, but if you notice much yellowing, it may indicate something else.  Sometimes yellowing occurs when there are vitamin or mineral deficiencies in the body.  A multi-vitamin may help this process slow or stop.  The most common condition, especially in toenails, however, is a fungal infection.  Fungal infections can cause yellowing, thickening or brittleness  in toenails.  The infection must be treated aggressively to counteract the problems that could occur if it is left unchecked.  Barring both of these as more common ailments, yellowing can also indicate a deeper problem.  Thyroid disease, diabetes, & several other diseases can present with yellowing nails as one of the symptoms.  If you suspect any of these, be sure to discuss it with a doctor.

-Thickening nails.  This often occurs during aging because of circulation issues.   Less circulation affects the nails & their thickness.   Increasing circulation will often alleviate this symptom.  Peripheral arterial disease can cause toenails to thicken through lack of circulation.  If circulation is not suspected, fungus is probably the underlying issue, especially if it presents on the toenails.  Keep a close eye on the nails to see if fungal treatments are improving the problem or if there might be medical intervention necessary.

-Ingrown toenails.  If you've ever experienced this, you know how painful they can be.  Encourage your loved one to get it taken care of so that their mobility is not affected.  If it continues to occur, there might be surgical intervention necessary to prevent it happening often.  Mobility is difficult enough in aging without adding this complication.  If left untreated, movement is inhibited & infection may occur.  Be sure someone that is in contact with the individual daily is asking about the toenail & taking a look periodically to determine the best course of action.

There are a number of other things that can occur with the nails during the aging process, these are just the more common ailments.  And, there are a few things that can help with nail health no matter your age.  Taking a biotin supplement may help to support nail health.  Staying well hydrated will help with your nails, along with a number of other health benefits.  Cutting toenails straight across can help prevent ingrown toenails.  Supporting circulation & exercising helps with your nails.  Keeping feet & toes dry, & exposing them to air will help to prevent fungus from developing.  Sometimes these things can feel like a bother to an aging individual, but it is precisely the small things in life that can add or subtract from the quality of the years of our lives.