Med. praxi. 2023;20(2):97-103 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2023.015

Foot disease in the eldery in ambulatory care

Mgr. Marie Holubová, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, Mgr. Iva Machková, Dis.^{3, 4}, Mgr. Kristýna Šoukalová, Ph.D.¹

¹ Katedra ošetřovatelství, Fakulta zdravotnických studií, Univerzita Pardubice

² Ortopedické oddělení, Pardubická nemocnice, Nemocnice pardubického kraje, a. s., Pardubice

³ ProMedicus Home Care Services s. r. o., Vysočina

⁴ Ortopedie Hlinsko, s. r. o.

Introduction: The article presents an overview of the most common diseases that can occur on the feet of the elderly people. Findings on the feet are described, which are divided into three areas according to the cause of their occurrence: dermatological, podiatric, and orthopedic defects.

Objectives: The aim of the article is to describe the most common pathological findings and subjective problems occurring on the legs of the observed group of elderly people from the orthopedic clinic.

Methods: Data were obtained through observation and questioning. The sample of respondents consisted of 138 people aged 65 and over.

Results: Leg pathology is closely related to the occurrence of systemic diseases, especially diseases of the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, and diabetes mellitus. Among the subjective problems of the elderly people, pain and spasms were dominant, while physical examination showed dry skin, reduced sensitivity, and leg swelling. The observation revealed that almost 80 % of the monitored seniors had hyperkeratosis on their feet and 67 % had nail mycosis. The most common orthopedic findings included finger deformities (65 %), foot arch disorders (47 %) and hallux valgus (41 %).

Conclusion: In the field of foot care for the elderly people, there are great reserves in education, including the care of the feet of the elderly with reduced self-sufficiency. Taking care of seniors with adequately hydrated well-groomed and painless feet that do not show signs of orthopedic, vascular, dermatological or podiatric diseases should be the goal of every healthcare professional.

Keywords: foot disease, subjective problems, senior, orthopedic clinic.

Accepted: May 10, 2023; Published: May 10, 2023  Show citation