Seniors can Reduce Risk of Falling by
Fixing Painful Feet
It’s just not true that foot pain is a normal consequence of
growing older. In addition to healthy feet and ankles contributing to a full
and active lifestyle, they can also reduce a senior’s risk for dangerous and
deadly falls.
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Falls
have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans age 65 and
older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Painful
foot conditions such as osteoarthritis, corns, bunions, hammertoes, and
diabetic complications can make it difficult for seniors to maintain balance
and coordination when walking or standing.
Lower body weakness and gait and balance problems are
frequently-cited risk factors for falls among seniors. Exercises to enhance
lower body strength can reduce this risk. But for seniors with painful foot and
ankle conditions, exercise can be difficult.
Just one fall can permanently rob a senior of their
independence and dramatically reduce their quality of life. Minimizing or
eliminating foot pain in seniors improves their balance, coordination and
stability when walking or standing.
A foot and ankle surgeon can recommend simple, effective
pain-relief measures such as stretching exercises or padding for painful corns
and hammertoes. But when surgery is the most appropriate treatment for a
senior’s painful feet, simple surgical techniques often allow treatment to be
performed on an outpatient basis.
Information provided by The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons