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FOOT PROBLEMS IN THE ELDERLY PATIENT
Author(s) -
Hsu John D.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1971.tb02420.x
Subject(s) - medicine , foot (prosody) , hygiene , nail (fastener) , physical therapy , surgery , pathology , philosophy , linguistics , materials science , metallurgy
A bstract A study was made of the foot problems of 426 elderly patients in the Foot Clinic of Baltimore City Hospitals. The disorders causing foot pain and disability were: circulatory (31 per cent), structural (21 per cent), nail and skin problems (36 per cent), neurogenic (8 per cent), and miscellaneous (4 per cent). Illustrative cases are discussed. The health of the feet is an important factor in the maintenance of the elderly patient's mobility and independence. Early recognition of foot lesions is essential in achieving this goal. In the early stages, simple therapeutic measures (foot hygiene and wearing proper shoes) often provide great relief and prevent further deterioration.