Quick answer: After 65, plan a professional foot exam at least once a year, and more often if you have diabetes, numbness, or circulation problems. Aging skin, thinning fat pads, arthritis, and nerve changes let small problems grow quietly. A yearly exam catches wounds, deformities, and balance risks while they are still simple to treat.
Why Do Feet Change After 65?
By 65, most feet have carried their owner well over 75,000 miles, and the wear shows up in predictable ways. The natural fat pad under the heel and ball of the foot thins, so bones take more direct pressure. Skin becomes drier and more fragile. Circulation slows, which means cuts heal more slowly. Joints stiffen, and arthritis in the feet can change how you stand and walk. Nerves also lose some sensitivity with age, so problems announce themselves later than they used to.
None of this means pain is normal or that trouble is unavoidable. It means feet after 65 deserve the same regular checkups as your eyes, teeth, and heart.
What Happens During a Senior Foot Exam?
A foot exam at our office is thorough but comfortable, and nothing about it hurts. We examine the skin for dryness, cracks, calluses, and any slow-healing spots. We check pulses in the feet to gauge circulation, and we test sensation with a soft filament, since peripheral neuropathy often begins silently. We look at joint motion, toenail health, and the wear pattern on your shoes, which tells us a surprising amount about how you walk. We also watch how you stand and move, because feet are a common and fixable cause of unsteadiness. If you have diabetes, this visit anchors your diabetic foot care plan for the year.
Warning Signs to Watch Between Visits
Call us before your next scheduled exam if you notice any of these:
- New numbness, tingling, or burning in your feet
- A cut, crack, or sore that is slow to heal, and if you have diabetes, any open wound, redness, warmth, or drainage deserves a call the same week
- Color changes, such as a foot that looks pale, blue, or dark red
- Swelling in one foot or ankle that does not go down overnight
- Foot pain that changes the way you walk
- Thick, painful, or ingrown toenails you cannot manage safely
- A recent fall or a new feeling of unsteadiness
Caring for Your Feet at Home
Between visits, a few habits go a long way. Glance over your feet daily, especially the soles, using a mirror if bending is hard. Moisturize dry skin, but not between the toes. Wear supportive shoes even indoors, since thin slippers and bare floors are a common fall setup. Trim nails straight across, and hand the job to us if nails are thick or your reach is limited. Gentle daily ankle and toe stretches help keep joints moving and steps steady.
When Should You See a Podiatrist?
Book a routine exam once a year after 65 even if nothing hurts. Move faster than that for any wound that has not improved within two weeks, any foot pain lasting more than a week, or any new numbness. If you have diabetes, call the same day for an open sore with spreading redness, warmth, or drainage. And after any fall, let us check whether your feet, your footwear, or reduced sensation played a part, because those causes can be corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should seniors have a foot exam?
Once a year is the baseline for healthy adults over 65. If you have diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, or a history of foot ulcers, we usually recommend preventive visits every two to three months for nail care, callus care, and skin checks. Your exam schedule is tailored to your risk, and we will tell you plainly where you fall.
Does Medicare cover podiatry care?
Medicare often covers medically necessary podiatry services, such as exams and treatment for foot injuries, diseases, and diabetes-related conditions. Coverage rules depend on your specific plan and diagnosis. Our front office staff at both locations verify benefits every day and can tell you what your plan covers before your visit, so there are no surprises.
Can foot problems really cause falls?
Yes, and the link is stronger than most people expect. Foot pain changes how you walk, numbness removes the position signals that keep you balanced, weak foot muscles reduce stability, and worn or loose footwear adds risk on top. Studies consistently tie foot problems to higher fall rates in older adults, and treating them measurably improves steadiness.
This article is general education and is not a substitute for an exam with a podiatrist.
Mountain Vista Foot & Ankle helps adults across southeastern Arizona stay active and steady. Request an appointment for your foot exam, or call our Safford office at (928) 348-3700 or our Sierra Vista office at (520) 515-3668.
