As we get older, time takes its toll on our bodies. That’s particularly true of the feet, which are tasked with bearing our full weight as we move throughout our days. It’s not surprising, then, that a lot of foot problems can crop up later in life.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with foot pain or other issues, though. September is Healthy Aging Month. And we want to tap into that opportunity to help you defend yourself against the podiatric problems that most commonly affect older adults.
Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, specialize in treating a wide range of these foot issues, from heel pain to bunions. If you notice any of their signs, visit us at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist in Homer Glen or New Lenox, Illinois. Acting fast often makes the condition easier to treat.
If you have a bunion, it means the joint at the base of your big toe is misaligned. This deformity usually develops over time and, as a result, is most common in older adults.
At first, the bunion might not be painful. You may only notice a bony bump at the outside of your big toe. As it progresses, though, that misalignment can rub uncomfortably in your shoe, swell, and more.
Dr. Thakrar and Dr. Vittori offer bunion treatment from conservative options like orthotics and bunion pads to surgery.
Another toe deformity, hammertoe develops when one of your toes stops laying flat. This can cause toe pain, plus complications as it rubs on the top of your shoe.
With different footwear, taping or strapping the toe, and other treatment options, we can help you find relief.
Your heel pain could come from a number of different places. It could be plantar fasciitis, inflammation in the band of connective tissue at the bottom of your foot. It could be Achilles tendonitis, inflammation in the large tendon that connects your leg to your heel bone. Or it could be a stress fracture, tiny breaks in the bone that happen from overuse.
In a lot of cases, the root cause of your heel pain can be treated with rest and additional interventions like orthotics or physical therapy. Dr. Vittori or Dr. Thakrar develops a plan based on the condition causing your pain.
This problem often feels like you have a pebble in your shoe. You get that sensation because of nerve compression, usually because of years of wearing overly tight shoes.
Changing your footwear helps. Depending on the severity of your neuroma, we might also explore injections or minimally invasive surgery.
As you get older, your likelihood of getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes goes up. You need to work closely with your doctor to manage your blood sugar levels, but additional medical attention can help you avoid its worst complications.
We offer diabetic foot care here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist. This allows us to proactively protect your feet, monitor any ulcers, and provide any other treatment your feet need.
Getting older shouldn’t mean getting used to foot pain. If you think you might need treatment for any of these common foot problems or another podiatric issue, call our team at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, or schedule an appointment online today.
