When was the last time you tried to do your daily activities without using your feet?  The general purpose of the foot is to support the body when standing and to act as a rigid lever in walking.  The foot presses against the ground to push the body in the desired direction.  The foot also acts flattens out as a shock absorber on the other leg to catch the body from its momentum.  The average person walks about 4 miles a day.  Mobility is vital to the sense of independence we all cherish.  Foot problems in older people are usually an accumulation of years of neglect and mistreatment.  The nails grow thicker and the skin gets drier.  Corns, calluses, hammertoes, bunions and other foot ailments are more likely to trouble people in later years.

 

     The human foot is constructed of 26 bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments and contains blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves.  As people age, the body changes.  Blood may not circulate as efficiently.  Since feet are far from the heart, they are apt to suffer first from poor circulation.  Blood vessels may become lined with deposits that cause loss of elasticity.  The decreased blood flow results in a loss of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the feet.

 

     Good circulation is essential to preventing infections and promoting healing.  Anti-coagulants such as aspirin, disrupt the healing process and impairs the immune system.  Older people often have nail problems due to other health related conditions.  Common changes in toenails can include:  thickened, curved, discolored, infected, clubbed pitted, and grooved.  Older people usually do not have the strength, skill, eyesight, or tools for toenails maintenance.

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     Bones and ligament changes cause painful ailments such as hammertoes, bunions, corns and calluses.  Loss of the fat pad that cushions the bottom of the foot can be painful.  If corns, calluses, and malformed nails are neglected, they can act like foreign objects.  This can result in breakdown of the skin allowing infections to enter.  This situation is very dangerous for people with Diabetes or nerve damage of their feet.  Skin will break down and allow infection without detection.  Lack of medical attention has resulted in limb amputation.  These pains and ailments can be managed and avoided. 

 

Get a better quality of life and peace of mind by using our foot care services.

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