Aug
15
Written by:
AALHA
8/15/2011
The foot is the window to your sole! Many conditions show their first manifestations in the feet. Some of these include: arthritis, circulatory conditions, nerve disorders and diabetes. As patients age, it becomes more difficult for seniors to reach their feet, see their feet and have the strength to take care of their feet.
Some of the most common conditions seen in elderly patients' feet are: athlete’s foot, hammertoes, bunions, osteoporosis, sprains, strains, nerve disorders, ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, warts, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis.
Conditions become more difficult to treat when patients have other medical problems, such as peripheral vascular disease, anticoagulant therapy, diabetes, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic illnesses.
Many patients lose elasticity of the skin and the skin becomes thinner. It is very important to moisturize the skin daily. It is also very important to keep adhesives away from the skin. It is very easy to cause a skin tear in delicate skin.
Many elderly patients have diseases of the veins called venous stasis. These patients frequently develop wounds of the lower legs and have a lot of swelling. This can interfere with their daily activities and quality of life. For many of these patients compression hose are necessary and must be applied before the patient gets out of bed in the morning. A pair of rubber gloves with finger-tip grips and a shoe horn can make this process a lot easier.
For patients with diabetes, it is important to check their feet every day for any redness, open wounds, bruising or callused areas. A callus is frequently the tip of the ice berg; a large ulcer may be lurking underneath.
A lot of people like to pick or peel skin. It is important to resist doing this on elderly patients. You may have created a wound larger then you intended.
Dr. Patricia A. Kirk is a board Certified Podiatric Surgeon, graduating from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. She is additionally Wound Care Certified. Dr. Kirk and her Mother travel as a team for "Mobile Doctors – Physicians who make House Calls” (www.mobiledoctors.com).providing tender loving foot care for patients across Maricopa County! For more information about Mobile Doctors, please contact Lisa Guida, 602-369-9659 or Lisag@mobiledoctors.com.