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Review
. 2021 Jan;134(1):30-35.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.07.010. Epub 2020 Aug 14.

Foot Examination for Older Adults

Kirstyn James  1 , Ariela R Orkaby  2 , Andrea Wershof Schwartz  2
Affiliations
Review

Foot Examination for Older Adults

Kirstyn James et al. Am J Med. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

The foot changes with age. Foot disorders in older adults are associated with falls, lower limb ulcers, and pain. Physical examination of the feet as part of the routine assessment of older adults is imperative to detect foot problems. Foot pain and pathologies are common in older adults. Regular foot care is important to prevent these issues. However, some older adults may find it difficult to complete foot care, including cutting toenails. Regular foot examination can detect common foot problems, functional decline, and is recommended for preventing falls. We describe a technique for performing a focused examination of the feet for older adults. This review addresses current podiatric issues in older patient populations and describes a method for foot examination to address the needs of older adults that can be incorporated into patient assessments in any clinical setting.

Keywords: Falls; Foot examination; Frailty; Older adults; Podiatry.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None.

Comment in

  • Consider the Early Diagnosis of Melanoma in Foot Examinations of Older Adults.
    De Giorgi V, Silvestri F, Venturi F, Scarfì F, Trane L, Covarelli P. De Giorgi V, et al. Am J Med. 2021 Nov;134(11):e563. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.02.009. Am J Med. 2021. PMID: 34799008 No abstract available.
  • The Reply.
    Schwartz AW, James K, Orkaby AR. Schwartz AW, et al. Am J Med. 2021 Nov;134(11):e564. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.06.042. Am J Med. 2021. PMID: 34799009 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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