Our feet will naturally grow and slightly change their shape as we age, but our foot shape can also change as a result of injury or an underlying medical condition. Because of this, it’s imperative to know how to spot the difference between normal foot changes related to aging and what changes may suggest you’re dealing with a problem in your feet. Below, we take a closer look at some of the natural and unnatural shape changes to look for in your feet as you get older.
Natural Foot Changes
Our feet tend to stop growing during our early twenties, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll never experience any changes with your foot shape for the rest of your life. Due to the repetitive stress we put on them over the years and the natural aging process, you may notice a few subtle changes with your feet as you get older. In most instances, these changes are not cause for concern, but noticing them could help you make smarter footwear choices for your feet. For example, you may notice:
Flattening Arch – Our foot’s arch can settle or flatten a bit as we age. This shouldn’t cause pain, but you may notice that your shoes are feeling a little tighter, and a wider option may be more comfortable.
Fat Pad Thinning – The fat pads under your heel and forefoot will begin to thin, which can lead to calluses and heel pain in people that continue to put a lot of strain on their feet without the right footwear.
Ankle Stiffness – While it may not affect the shape of your foot, you may notice that your ankles begin to feel a little stiffer and that you have to work a little harder to maintain flexibility in your ankle joint.
Unnatural Foot Changes
Conversely, there are some foot shape changes that you’ll want to keep an eye out for, because they could suggest an underlying issue that should be addressed.
Bony Bump – If you’re developing a bony prominence on the side of your foot at the base of your big toe joint, this is the beginning of a bunion caused by the shifting of your big toe joint. The sooner the issue is addressed, the more likely that it can be corrected using less invasive treatments.
Swollen Feet – If your feet are routinely swollen or puffy, you could be dealing with a diabetic issue or similar circulation problem.
Arched Toes – If your toes are bent upwards at the joint, it’s a sign that you are dealing with hammertoes or claw toes, oftentimes the result of shoes that are too tight. Again, early intervention is best before the soft tissues that are affected become less susceptible to simple treatments.
Lumps – Lumps or lesions on the toe could be the result of Morton’s Neuroma, a nerve issue that warrants treatment.
Moles – New moles or moles that have changed shape or color should be analyzed by a foot specialist or dermatologist to ensure they are not cancerous.