According to licensed massage therapist Theresa George, a good way to keep one’s feet healthy is to regularly get pedicures, visit podiatrists, and have the soles massaged. She believes these measures become even more important as people get older and their skin and toenails lose their durability. George also claims that massages in particular can relieve stress in elderly patients.

"Many seniors can't see their feet as well as they used to and pedicures give us the chance to look for problems like broken toes, cracked, bleeding skin, thickening of toenails, ingrown toenails and nail fungus," said Julie Defelice, district manager at Salon PS. "If we catch a fungus quickly it can be treated."

Older individuals often have trouble taking care of their feet, and thus more susceptible to many kinds of conditions and injuries. If you know someone who is older and could use help caring for their feet, think about seeing a podiatrist like Dr. Michael H. Wynn, DPM of Foot Care Associates of Texas. Dr. Wynn can take a look at the feet in question and recommend steps to take to ensure that they stay healthy.

The Elderly and their Feet

As we age we start to notice many changes in our body, but the elder population may not notice them right away.  Medical conditions may prevent the elderly to take notice of their foot health right away. Poor vision is a lead contributor to not taking action for the elderly. There are many complications that can lead to serious issues, if the problem is not taken care of right away.

Common Conditions 

Neuropathy – can reduce feeling in the feet, and can hide many life threating medical conditions.

Reduced flexibility – prevents the ability of proper toenail trimming, and foot cleaning. If left untreated, it may lead to further medical issues.

Foot sores – amongst the older population can be serious before they are discovered. Some of the problematic conditions they may face are:

Gouging toenails affecting nearby toe
Shoes that don’t fit properly
Pressure sores
Loss of circulation in legs & feet
Edema & swelling of feet and ankles
Injuries left unnoticed
Insect or pet bites can also become inflamed and infected

For more information about the Elderly and their Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our offices in Kingwood, TX. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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