ORTHOSES AND BALANCE IN THE AGING PATIENT
As our age advances , the body experiences many changes . Some come on slowly and are barely noticeable until the cumulative losses result in a major problem , while others happen quickly such as in a fall . Musculoskeletal , neurological , and organ system failures can affect balance , posture , perception , awareness , and gait patterns . In addition to age , sex ( females vs males ), intrinsic causes such as body and foot type , and obesity can contribute to foot pathology . Extrinsic factors such as excessive exercise , living conditions , and even improper footwear can contribute to foot pathologies . As patients age , the number of visits to a podiatrist or other healthcare professionals that treat the foot and leg increases steadily . Approximately 80 % of patients over the age of 65 present with some sort of foot pathology and related impairment which affects their daily lives and physical performance . In addition , patients who have underlying systemic diseases such as diabetes , non-diabetic neuropathy , cardiovascular disease , or inflammatory disease are even at higher risks . Post-menopausal women and a large group of patients that are on long term proton pump inhibitors are at great risks of osteoporosis leading to
fragile and brittle bones and a higher risk of injuries . According to the National Osteoporosis foundation , 80 % of the people with osteoporosis are women and 50 % of women over the age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis .
In order to improve ground contact , accommodate boney prominences , and stabilize skeletal imbalances seen in the elderly , foot orthoses and shoe modifications are often the best solution for patients who are unable to compensate for changes that occur with age . Orthoses are key components of a treatment plan to reduce pain and improve ambulatory function . Minor skeletal or neuromuscular abnormalities that are easily accommodated in the young such as over pronation produce cumulative stresses that lead to osseous and muscular pathologies . Imagine that you over pronate or supinate with every step . Over a lifetime thousands of steps can lead to secondary osteoarthritis , bunions , hammertoes , recurrent plantar fasciitis , Achilles tendonitis , and other tendon dysfunctions . Foot and ankle orthotics designed to address problems such as over pronation can correct imbalances that lead to pathology and reduce the patient ' s need
Photo : @ iStock . com / ojoel Photo : @ iStock . com / luaeva
26 Pedorthic Footcare Association | www . pedorthics . org