September 2022

People over age 60 are more prone to falling than those who are younger. After sustaining a fall, some older adults end up in long-term care facilities as their mobility and independence have been compromised. Most risk factors that lead to falling can be minimized or eliminated. Some common risk factors include trip hazards at home or work, poorly fitting footwear, and insufficient lower body strength. Lighting, clutter on the floor, and loose rugs or mats are some of the hazards that can be remedied at home or work. Wearing shoes that are supportive and fit properly can go a long way in preventing unnecessary falls. Participating in exercises that maintain lower body strength and flexibility can also ensure greater safety and fewer falls. If you are older or taking care of a senior, consult with a chiropodist who can offer more information on fall risks and prevention measures.

Falls are a major cause of injury among the elderly. To learn more about preventing falls or to get treatment following a foot or ankle injury caused by a fall, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Falling is one of the leading causes of injury among the elderly. It is said that about 50% of falls that result in hospitalization occur in the home. Fortunately, there are steps that you can implement to reduce your risk of falling in the home. 

Tips to Prevent Falls at Home:

• In the bathroom - Place non-slip mats in the shower or tub, install grab bars near the toilet and bath, and wipe up any moisture or spills as soon as possible. 

• In the living rooms and bedroom - Remove loose wires, cords, or other objects that may be an obstacle to moving around safely. Make sure that you have good lighting throughout the home so that you can always see where you are going. Get rid of any rugs or mats that are not firmly anchored or that may cause you to trip. When walking around the home, move slowly. 

• In the kitchen - Store food and supplies in easily accessible areas, store heavy items in lower cupboards, and wipe up any spills immediately to prevent slipping. 

• On the stairs - Make sure that the stairs are well-lit and have secure handrails. Walk slowly when ascending or descending the stairs.  

• Outside - Keep walkways well-lit and clear of snow, ice, leaves, and man-made tripping hazards.

Maintaining your overall health, including the health of your feet, can also help to prevent falls. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and wear well-fitted, comfortable, and supportive shoes. If you have a mobility device, such as a cane, use it while walking.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Neuropathy, or nerve damage, can be common among people who are afflicted with diabetes, and this can cause an inability to feel sensations in the feet. It is important to check the soles of the feet daily as this can provide an opportunity to notice existing cuts, bruises, or scrapes on the feet. Undetected sores on the feet may lead to an infection and can ultimately cause a diabetic foot ulcer. Foot ulcers are generally treated by taking antibiotics. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary if the foot ulcers are not treated. There are simple measures that can be implemented by diabetic patients to care for their feet. These include washing and drying the feet daily as well as trimming the toenails. Additionally, it can be beneficial to wear moisture-wicking socks and shoes that fit correctly. Other methods can be implemented to care for diabetic feet and it is suggested that you confer with a chiropodist if you would like more information.

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including: 

• Poor circulation

• Peripheral neuropathy

• Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers

• Infection 

• Corns and calluses

• Dry, cracked skin

• Nail disorders 

• Hammertoes 

• Bunions

• Charcot foot

If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any: 

• Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds

• Bruising or discoloration 

• Swelling

• Rash

• Foul odor

• Nail changes 

• Hair loss 

• Warmth and inflammation

• Deformities 

• Lower limb pain

• Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)

If you detect anything unusual, seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

To care for one’s physical and emotional well-being, an individual will often develop a routine that is repeated on a regular basis. For instance, to calm down at the end of a busy work day, an individual might perform a ritualistic night routine that includes drinking tea, washing one’s face, and perhaps reading a book. Taking care of one’s feet does not have to be any different. To ensure that you are maintaining the health of your feet, you might try to adopt a kind of morning or nighttime foot care routine. What you include in this routine can be highly personalized and specific to your own foot care needs. You might consider including a brief visual examination of your feet to check for any visible cuts or abnormalities. You might also include a foot wash of some sort, utilizing an appropriate soap or scrub. Following a foot bath, be sure to completely dry your feet with a towel to keep them from becoming soggy or damp. You might also apply a moisturizer to the feet following this foot bath. To wrap up your routine, you might briefly stretch the feet to keep them agile and flexible. This can also sometimes improve balance and agility. For more tips and tricks to incorporate into your regular foot care routine, contact a chiropodist.

Caring for your feet is not just something done at the chiropodist’s office. Good foot care starts at home. If you would like to learn more about daily foot care practices, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

There are many things that you can do at home to help care for your feet, including: 

• Wearing shoes and socks that fit properly

• Washing the feet daily with soap and water

• Drying the feet thoroughly

• Applying moisturizer to the soles and heels of the feet

• Taking a walk and exercising the feet regularly 

• Doing foot stretches and strengthening exercises 

A chiropodist can help figure out a manageable foot care routine for you to keep your feet healthy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for different types of viral infections. When HPV enters the skin on the feet through a cut or other type of abrasion, it can lead to the development of an individual, or a cluster of plantar warts. Plantar warts form on the bottom of the foot and present as rough, sometimes ridged patches of lighter skin that may have a black dot in the center. This black dot is a tiny blood vessel that feeds the wart. Because they typically develop on the sole of the feet in high-pressure areas like the ball of the foot or heel, plantar warts can be quite painful. They are also very contagious and can spread from direct contact with a wart or through indirect contact with an object that is infected with HPV. Plantar warts are also quite resilient and can take over a year to go away, if at all, on their own. If they are not treated properly, they tend to grow back as well. That is why it makes sense to have your plantar wart treated promptly and professionally by a chiropodist who can get rid of them quickly, safely, and completely. 

Plantar warts can be uncomfortable or even painful. If you’re suffering from warts on your feet, please consult with one of the specialists from Thornhill Foot Clinic. Our chiropodists can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

What Does a Plantar Wart Look Like? 

Plantar warts are fleshy growths that generally have a rough, grainy texture. They may look and feel like a callus and are usually small and can grow individually or in clusters. Plantar warts may have small, black dots at their center that are actually tiny blood vessels. Warts interrupt the natural lines of your skin. 

Treatment Options

• Salicylic acid - A chemical solution applied directly to the wart

• Cryotherapy - Freezing the wart off with liquid nitrogen

• Minor surgery - Removing the wart through excision

• Laser treatment - A concentrated beam of light is used to remove the wart

• Wearing comfortable shoes and socks to avoid irritating the wart

• Over-the-counter medications for pain relief

• Patches to keep pressure off the warts

Plantar warts can go away on their own, but this may take several months to years. If your plantar warts are bothering you, seeking medical treatment is suggested. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.