Aging Often Leads to Problems - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Feb, 2001

As people age, their feet become longer and wider; the arch of the foot falls a bit; and the fat pads on the heel and ball of the foot flatten. While most people think of these changes as occurring naturally with age, they don't realize that other changes are caused by years of neglect and poor footwear. Walking puts up to three times a person's body weight on their feet.

"A survey done at the University of Vermont in Burlington estimated that about 40% of the population has foot problems affecting about 74,000,000 people each year," says orthopedic surgeon Michael Shereff. "There are many common foot disorders that increase with age. A majority of patients requiring medical treatments for foot disorders are over 65 years of age. And many people over 50 will be afflicted at some point in time with some foot problem."

Foot Fitness for Life, a public education program of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, encourages everyone--especially people over 50 years of age--to take a few simple steps to evaluate the health of their feet. These range from an initial self-examination of the skin, circulation, and flexibility of each foot to reading footprints and shoeprints as red flags that may require additional medical attention from an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist.

"Unless they hurt, most people never think about their feet. Yet, the body adapts to what the feet feel. If the feet are not functioning properly, then nothing else works well either," cautions orthopedic surgeon Carol Frey. "The human body is a biological system. It can change for better or worse. With a few simple exercises, people can actually change the ravages of time to help their feet stay strong and flexible. Improvements can be seen in as little as two weeks."

Orthopedic surgeons classify foot injuries as either acute or chronic. Acute injuries include fractures or sprains requiring immediate medical attention. If untreated, healing may become prolonged and expensive. Chronic injuries develop over time without regard to other changes in the physical body. These types are typically preventable by using good common sense and wearing appropriate footwear.

Shoes cause many foot problems. The concept that they will adapt their form (or become broken in) to fit a foot is a myth. The reality is that feet try to adapt to fit the shoe. Wearing ill-fitting shoes once may not cause ongoing foot problems, but people who constantly wear shoes that do not fit properly can develop a variety of conditions ranging from bunions to hammer toes to pinched nerves to degenerative changes like arthritis.

Orthopedic surgeons recommend that everyone should wear shoes that match the natural shape of the foot with a roomy toe box, low heel of one inch or less, material that breathes like leather, and appropriate cushioning. People over 50 years old should avoid heavy rubber soles that can cause tripping and wear shoes with laces for a more secure fit and more flexibility to accommodate orthopedic inserts or braces.

"The most important advice for people purchasing shoes is don't be a slave to fashion. Always buy shoes for fit and comfort, not just because it's the size you normally wear or because it's a trendy look," stresses orthopedic surgeon Cherise M. Dyal. "The best way to get a shoe that fits properly is to measure both feet at the end of the day every year or two."