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.

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, neuropathy and diabetic complications can make it difficult for seniors to maintain balance and coordination when walking or standing.

Lower body weakness, 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.

If the surgeon’s at Highlands Foot & Ankle decide that you are not a surgical candidate he can recommend simple, effective pain-relief measures such as stretching exercises or padding for painful corns and hammertoes. But sometimes surgery is the most appropriate treatment plan. Most of the time these surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis and you will recover faster and easier at home with a care taker or family member to be by your side for several days while you become accustom to walking with a cane or walker. You will be back into your normal shoe gear and walking without the assistance of the cane or walker faster than you may think.