The Importance Of chiropody In The Elderly.

Podiatry in the geriatric setting responds to a need. The elderly are a population group with a high prevalence of foot-related disorders.

Periodic reviews by a podiatrist are essential to improve the quality of life of our residents. From the advice on choosing the right footwear for each situation, to the treatment of ulcers, to the elimination of corns and helomas, as well as a proper cut of the nails.

It is also important to inform both residents and families about the importance of taking care of their feet.

From the podiatry service we seek to improve, as far as possible, the health of our residents’ feet, prioritizing, above all, the prevention of future injuries, especially in diabetic patients.

Diabetes is a huge public health problem. A diabetic patient at podiatric risk presents signs that indicate a neuropathy or an arteriopathy associated or not with a static, dynamic or morphological disorder of the foot, and this is something that both the diabetic himself and his environment downplay.

The areas of greatest risk of ulceration are the 5 metatarsal heads, the styloid of the 5th metatarsal (bony prominence on the outer side of the foot) and the heel, since they are areas of hyperpressure and therefore susceptible to producing hardness.

Ulcers can also appear from “repetitive microtrauma”, that is, small minor blows continued in the same area. Another cause would be rubbing in certain areas due to poorly fitting or inadequate footwear for the patient’s circumstances, as well as the inappropriate use of sharp instruments.

For this reason, it is important that both our residents and their families receive specialized podiatric information, in order to complement the care provided by our team.

From: SaviaResidencias.es

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