We encourage our residents to lead active lifestyles here at Bethesda Gardens Arlington. For this reason, we provide regular podiatry services to help them avoid common foot issues such as these.

1. Cracked Heels

Seniors' skin produces and holds less moisture and oils than it did when they were young. This makes the surface susceptible to injuries and frequent bouts of dryness, including the skin on your feet.

To prevent cracked heels, be sure to moisturize them daily. Right before bed is an ideal time to pamper your feet because you can massage them with a thick cream and leave it to soak in all night. Be sure to wear clean, dry socks to trap the moisturizing lotion on your feet and protect your bedding from greasy stains.

2. Bunions

These painful bulges form on the big toe joint and cause it to shift inward and crowd your smaller toes. A smaller version, called a bunionette, may form on your little toe's joint. Bunions can lead to swelling, impaired movement and calluses between your toes where they rub together.

Bunions form when excess pressure is placed on your toes and pushes them out of natural alignment. Preventive measures include wearing comfortable shoes that don't pinch your toes and avoiding standing for long periods of time. You can also work with your doctor to improve your walking gait.

3. Fat Pad Atrophy

A pad of fat in your heel and the ball of your foot cushions your bones and joints against damage caused by the impact of walking. As you age, this padding may thin, causing pain as you walk.

Your best defense against fat pad atrophy pain is proper footwear. Comfortable shoes with special padding can cushion your feet as you age and protect you from pain. You can also lose excess weight and avoid walking barefoot or in socks on hard surfaces to reduce stress on your feet.

4. Morton's Neuroma

It's thought that one-third of the population may have Morton's neuroma in their lives. This condition causes tissues to thicken around your toes and apply pressure on nearby nerves. It can feel as if you're walking on a pebble.

Preventing and treating it can often be achieved by switching your footwear. Wearing high heels and tight shoes typically causes the issue, so replacing them with low heels and shoes with squared toe boxes can help relieve the pain.

5. Plantar Fasciitis

The bottoms of your feet contain a thick strip of tissue called the plantar fascia that runs from the heel to the toe. This supportive band plays a big role in walking and can lead to stabbing pains in your heels when it's inflamed or injured.

As one of the most common sources of foot pain, plantar fasciitis is important to recognize and prevent in order to safeguard your mobility and quality of life. Wearing shoes with good cushioning and arch support can reduce stress on the plantar fascia. You may also wish to use stretching exercises to relieve pressure on your feet.

6. Osteoarthritis

This painful condition happens when your body's cartilage breaks down. Cartilage is the flexible tissue that prevents bones in your joints from rubbing against one another as you move.

Experts offer several solutions to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis, including exercising and maintaining a healthy weight to ease strain on your joints, including those in the feet. Diabetes and high blood sugar can lead to the formation of compounds that stiffen cartilage and trigger inflammation, so maintaining a healthy glucose level is another important measure.