Seniors’ Week 2024: Understanding How Our Bodies Change With Age

Osteoarthritis

What Is It?

Commonly known as “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushioning our joints naturally deteriorates over time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. In the feet, it often affects the big toe joint, which plays a crucial role in propelling us forward as we walk.

How Can We Manage It?

• Intrinsic Foot Muscle Exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the joint can help provide additional support and reduce stress on the joint.
• Orthotics and Footwear Modifications: Custom orthotics and adjusted footwear can lessen pressure on the affected joint, helping to slow down further “wear and tear” and keep you moving better.
• Surgical Options: In advanced cases, surgery may be considered to alleviate pain and improve function.

Consulting with a podiatrist is essential for identifying the root cause of osteoarthritis, allowing for a targeted approach that addresses more than just the symptoms.

Balance and Coordination Changes

Why Does It Happen?

• Decreased Muscle Strength: As muscle strength declines, maintaining balance and stability becomes more challenging.
• Reduced Sensation in the Feet: Aging can lead to a decrease in foot sensitivity, making it harder to feel the ground and adjust for balance.
• Changes in Vision: Age-related vision changes can make it harder to see the ground clearly, impacting coordination and increasing the risk of falls.

How Can We Manage It?

• Neurovascular Assessment: This examination checks for reduced sensation in the feet that may affect balance.
• Muscle Function Testing: Identifies any muscle weaknesses, allowing us to create a personalised exercise program to strengthen specific areas.
• Footwear Assessment: Ensures you are wearing supportive, stable footwear that minimises fall risk.
• Balance and Core Strengthening Exercises: Designed to enhance overall balance and stability, these exercises help you maintain strength and coordination as you age.

Onychauxic Nails (Thickened Nails)

• Toenails tend to thicken and harden with age, often due to keratin buildup or past nail trauma.
• Thicker toenails can be harder to trim and are more vulnerable to fungal infections.
• Increased nail thickness may also add pressure on the toes while walking.
• A podiatrist with specialised equipment can safely manage and reduce nail thickness, helping to keep your nails healthy, comfortable, and free from infection.

Reduced Skin Moisture

• Urea is a key component of your skin’s natural moisturizing factor, essential for a healthy, hydrated skin barrier.
• Aging reduces the skin’s ability to produce urea, making urea-based moisturisers important for maintaining hydration.
• Low urea levels in the skin can lead to quicker buildup of hard skin, such as calluses and corns.
• Seeing a podiatrist can help with hard skin reduction and finding the right maintenance and moisturising routine to keep your feet in great condition.

Reduced Circulation

• Aging often leads to a natural decline in overall circulation throughout the body
• As your feet are the furthest part of you from your heart, the feet's blood supply is always affected first
• This can potentially result in slower healing of wounds and injuries, and make your feet more susceptible to temperature changes
• Our podiatrists can conduct thorough vascular assessments to assess the quality of your blood flow to your feet to determine if any further assessments are required