Feet, don’t fail me now: Common foot problems to avoid and treat as you get older

To better appreciate the challenges involved with getting older, try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Problem is, that could be a very uncomfortable walk — considering how often foot pain and podiatry problems are experienced by those 50 and older.

“Consider that approximately 50% of all people will experience a foot issue over the course of their lifetime,” says Dr. Bruce Pinker, a board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon in White Plains, New York.

Dr. Paul Dayton, a podiatric surgeon with the Foot & Ankle Center of Iowa and Midwest Onion Centers based in Ankeny, Iowa, says it’s common for people to encounter foot problems as they age.

“Many deformities, such as bunions, hammertoes and flat feet are progressive, so as a patient ages, they may experience worsening deformity and more pain that can limit shoe gear, function and activity,” he says. “For example, while a bunion may not hurt when you are younger, it can lead to arthritis and pain in the big toe joint later in life and can cause deformities as the bunion progresses and the person ages.”

Foot discomfort isn’t just painful. It can also limit your mobility and willingness to walk. And over time, that can lead to weight gain, disease and early mortality. That’s why the experts recommend having your foot issues diagnosed and managed promptly, soon after symptoms first arise.

“Think about how, as we get older, our feet are utilized more and more every day. With repetitive activity and movement, our feet are under greater stress over time,” Pinker notes. “Similar to the parts on a car, our feet develop wear and tear over the years and eventually may need some type of maintenance — from the removing of hard skin and calluses to the trimming of nails, skin moisturizing, stretching and even possibly surgery to relieve aches, pains and dysfunction.”

Particularly problematic to many are bunions, which present as a bony growth on the side of the big toe joint and are often hereditary.

“This bump is actually the first metatarsal leaning away from the center of the foot while the big toe moves in toward the second toe. It cannot just be shaved off. You can wear wider shoes to try to reduce the pain, but surgery with an evidence-based procedure like Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction may eventually be needed to correct the bunion at the root of the deformity,” explains Dayton.

Hammertoes are another uncomfortable ailment — one that describes a toe with an abnormal bend in its middle joint, often caused by wearing high-heeled or narrow-toed shoes and impacting the toe just next to your big toe. The calluses they form can be trimmed down to alleviate some discomfort, but if rubbing and friction from the shoe persist, more advanced steps may be necessary.

“Wearing shoes that are tall and wide enough and, in some cases, also using an orthotic, can take pressure off the toes to decrease pain,” Dayton says.

Plantar fasciitis is a common malady suffered by the 50+ demographic, with symptoms that include pain at the bottom of the heel or arch area of the foot caused by the plantar fascia ligaments stretching and pronating upon activity and then snapping back upon rest, often due to tightness of the muscles that form the Achilles tendon. It can be aggravated by increased activity and shoes that lack proper support.

“By stretching your feet and Achilles tendon regularly with the right exercises and icing the area, you can improve or avoid this condition. Wearing a recommended arch support or orthotic can also be beneficial. But if the pain doesn’t resolve within a few days, you may need the attention of a podiatrist,” suggests Pinker.

Achilles tendon injuries are yet another hazard that comes with advancing years.

“Telltale symptoms are localized pain in the back of the heel or in the tendon itself just above the back of the heel. These injuries occur when a normal tendon becomes stressed by excessive loads or a weak tendon gets stressed from normal loads,” notes Dr. Jordan Duncan, owner of Silverdale Sport & Spine in Silverdale, Washington. “Those who are out of shape are at greater risk for an Achilles tendon injury, especially if they participate in sports that require jumping or quick changes of direction. It’s better to work up to these activity levels slowly and progressively.”

Calf raises, done both concentrically and eccentrically, can help strengthen this tendon and prevent such injuries.

Morton’s neuroma can also develop in older feet between the third and fourth toes, bringing pain to the area while walking and wearing shoes. It’s often exacerbated by tight, narrow, pointy-toed shoes and affects women more than men.

“Neuroma pain can be mitigated by aggressive massaging and stretching and with the use of soft adhesive pads and wearing footwear that is less narrow,” Pinker recommends.

Nerve damage from diabetes is a worrisome problem, too. It can lead to a loss of feeling in the feet, known as neuropathy, which may result in the sufferer getting a sore on the foot and not being aware of it — potentially leading to infection.

“It’s very important for diabetics to check their feet daily and control their blood sugars, as this helps decrease the negative effects of diabetes on the nerves,” Dayton says. “Diabetics should always wear shoes that fit their feet appropriately to protect against pressure sores and to safeguard from an injury that can be caused when stepping on something.”