How To Maintain Happy Feet As You Age

We rely on our feet and ankles to carry us as we take thousands of steps each and every day. That’s a lot of steps, so naturally it’s no surprise that our feet and ankles change over time in ways that can significantly affect the way we walk. Our podiatrist at Kirkland Office is an expert when it comes to understanding and adapting to these changes.

Here are some of the ways these changes affect you:

• If you’re experiencing pain in your heels or the balls of your feet, it’s likely due to a loss of shock absorption that occurs when the fat pads in your feet become thinner.

• Blood flow to the feet may decrease, leading to numbness or coldness. 

• Joints in the ankles weakened by arthritis can become stiff and swollen.

• Ankles may become unstable and feet may flatten, due to a loss of elasticity of the tendons and ligaments.

Here’s some “steps” you can take to keep your feet healthy as you walk through life:

• Home improvement. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly each day, use a moisturizer to prevent dry skin, and be on the alert for cracks, calluses, or changes in appearance.

• Watch your weight. Excess pounds put a pounding on your feet and ankles.
• Keep moving. Adopting an active lifestyle helps protect flexibility and circulation in your feet and ankles. Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming are particularly good. 
• Don’t skimp when it comes to your footwear. Properly fitted shoes with good cushioning and arches are critical. Look for shoes designed for your particular activity, like walking, tennis or pickleball.

Regular visits to the podiatrist at Kirkland Office are more important than ever as we walk through life. Prevention, proper diagnosis and early treatment will ensure that you keep moving, confidently and comfortably, no matter your age. Please contact us today for an appointment.