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With age comes drier skin, brittle nails, decreased cushioning on bones, and even poor circulation. All of these factors can make foot and ankle health challenging. That is why it is important for older adults to be proactive about their foot and ankle health and help avoid problems from occurring. The best thing an older adult can do for their feet is to wear well-made, comfortable shoes that fit properly and offer adequate cushioning and support. Avoid wearing socks that are tight and can cut off circulation. Measure your feet when buying new shoes, because feet can widen with age. Try not  to sit for too long without elevating your feet or doing gentle foot and ankle stretches to keep the blood flowing. Trim toenails straight across, but not too short, to avoid them becoming ingrown. Maintain a healthy weight prevent many painful foot conditions. Older adults with diabetes should avoid going barefoot, be sure to examine their feet every day, and check for developing wounds. Finally, older adults—and particularly those with diabetes—should make seeing a podiatrist regularly part of their foot and ankle health regimen.

If you need your feet checked, contact Kennan Runte, DPM of Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctor will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

If you work on your feet all day, you may want to look into how you can lessen the impact this can have on your health. You may even be able to reduce pain, swelling, and other complications that working on your feet may be causing. The first order of business is to get yourself a good pair (or two) of leather shoes with quality construction, non-slip soles, cushioned inner lining, wide heels and support in the back for your ankles. Alternate those shoes daily. Take every break you are entitled to and sit down while elevating your feet. Try strengthening your body through fitness training, stretching, and building up your endurance. Soak your legs in a hot tub at night to relieve muscles. A podiatrist can also create custom orthotics to distribute weight more evenly and provide extra cushioning and structure. If your feet are in pain after working all day, seek the counsel of a podiatrist to explore all possible treatment options. 

While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Kennan Runte, DPM from Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Working on Your Feet

Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.

Positive Changes

Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.

Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.

Eliminate Pain

Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.

Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen. 

With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Gout is a painful, inflammatory form of arthritis. Those affected will typically feel an intense stiffness in the joints of their feet, particularly in the big toe. Schedule a visit to learn about how gout can be managed and treated.

Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by a red, scaly rash that can appear anywhere on the body, including on the feet. Although there are different types of psoriasis, the most common type is plaque psoriasis. With this type of psoriasis, red, dry patches of skin can form. The scales of the dry skin can get itchy and sore, crack, and even bleed. Another type of psoriasis seen on the feet is palmoplantar pustulosis, which is characterized by tiny, pus-filled blisters on the soles of the feet. Psoriasis is sometimes confused with athlete’s foot, but there are several key differences. While athlete’s foot typically affects the areas between the toes, is itchy, and can make the toenails yellow and brittle, psoriasis typically affects the soles of the feet, causes pain and soreness, can make nails swollen or pitted, and causes joint stiffness. If you have a rash or blisters on your feet, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact Kennan Runte, DPM of Foothill Podiatry Clinic. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Grass Valley, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.