From walking your kids to the bus stop to going on an afternoon walk, you rely on your feet and ankles for every step you take in this life. But when you experience foot or ankle pain, it can slow down your life and cause you to miss out on the things you love, especially as you age.
Whether you need expert surgical care to treat a condition or are looking for expert tips on how to keep your feet and ankles healthy as you age, we’re here to help.
Keep reading to learn from Matthew Villani, DPM, FACFAS, about the importance of foot and ankle health as you age and what treatment options he provides.
How Arthritic Pain Affects Your Every Step
“Oftentimes, we see older patients come in with severe arthritis pain that they thought was a normal part of the aging process,” says Dr. Villani. “But the reality is, their pain may be caused by a foot or ankle condition that needs treatment.”
Over time, as a foot or ankle condition goes untreated, your body begins to change the way you walk to find relief from the pain. These changes can lead to a loss of balance, which in turn may result in falls that can be very dangerous as you get older. Beyond balance issues, you may develop other injuries, which makes foot and ankle health a key factor as you age.
The Benefits of Foot and Ankle Health as You Age
Practicing foot and ankle care as you age benefits your health in many ways, including:
- Boosting circulation
- Maintaining mobility
- Managing age-related changes, like rigidity
- Possibly preventing arthritis and diabetes
- Preventing falls
When it comes to managing your foot and ankle health at home, consider the following:
- Avoid walking barefoot
- Exercise your feet and ankles, like calf raises or ankle circles
- Inspect your feet daily
- Regularly visit your podiatrist
- Use proper footwear
“We’re seeing older Americans being more active than ever, which is a great way to keep their feet and ankles healthy,” explains Dr. Villani. “Although regular activity benefits their overall health, we want to make sure they aren’t ignoring any aches or pains in their feet and ankles that could lead to arthritis or be signs of other underlying health conditions, like nerve damage or heart disease.”
When to See a Foot and Ankle Specialist
If you experience an injury and your foot or ankle pain persists after a few days of at-home treatment, it’s time to visit your doctor. Other signs that you should see a foot and ankle specialist include:
- Inability to bear weight or walk normally
- Numbness, tingling or burning
- Recurring or severe pain
- Severe swelling or bruising
- Visible deformity or change in appearance
For injuries or conditions that require surgery, we’ve got you covered. Dr. Villani is an expert podiatrist and uses many leading-edge surgical treatments to help you heal.
Feel Whole With Leading-Edge Treatment Options for Foot and Ankle Pain
Dr. Villani specializes in two leading-edge foot and ankle surgeries: total ankle replacement and Lapiplasty for bunions.
Total Ankle Replacement
While there are other reasons you could develop arthritis in your ankles, one of the most common reasons is wear and tear in your joints as you age. “A total ankle replacement is where the arthritis in the ankle is completely removed,” says Dr. Villani. “This surgery allows for continued motion at the ankle with the same pain relief.”
Other benefits of total ankle replacement include less pain and the ability to live a more active lifestyle.
Lapiplasty
“Lapiplasty is a surgical procedure that we use to correct the malalignment of the bunion deformity and fix the root cause of bunions, which is an unstable joint in the middle of the foot,” says Dr. Villani. This procedure is best for those who have had painful bunions in the past and have had no success with conservative treatment methods.
One of the major benefits of Lapiplasty is its ability to provide long-term success while reducing the likelihood of a bunion returning. Other benefits include a faster recovery time and fewer complications overall compared to traditional treatment methods.
Helping You Take Your Next Step Toward Whole-Person Health
Your feet and ankles provide a foundation for your lifestyle, and we want to help you keep them strong. Our board-certified physicians are ready and able to provide the expert foot and ankle care you need so you can take your next step with less pain.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Villani to learn more about foot and ankle health or to find out if you’d benefit from Lapiplasty or a total ankle replacement.
