Higher
BMI
Most women
gain weight as they age and the hormonal changes of menopause only
increase the likelihood of gaining weight. Women who have a higher
body mass index (BMI) are at a greater risk of foot pain. Women who
are carrying extra weight have a higher risk of many painful
podiatric problems like osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and tendon
inflammation.
Thinning
Fat Pads
Another
problem that leads to foot pain among older women is thinning
fat pads on the soles of the
feet. Women lose fat stores in their face and feet as they age. While
fat loss in the face can make a woman appear gaunt, it's the fat loss
on the soles of the feet that really hurt. These fat pads protect
nerves, ligaments, bones, and tendons by absorbing impact. By age 50,
the average woman will have lost about 50% of this protection on her
feet.
Calluses
Women
are much more likely to develop calluses on their feet than men, most
likely because women spend their life wearing
high-heeled shoes. A callus is
an accumulation of dead skin cells that hardens over an area of the
foot. Calluses form due to pressure and friction and they're most
often found on the heel, inside the big toe, and on the ball of the
foot.
Plantar
Fasciitis
Most
people assume athletes are at the greatest risk of developing plantar
fasciitis, the most
common cause of heel pain, but
the risk for this condition actually increases with age. While the
exact cause isn't known, post-menopausal women are believed to be at
a higher risk of heel pain and inflammation because the feet widen
and flatten with age, which increases stress on the fascia. Thinning
of the fat pads on the soles of the feet likely plays a role as well.
Getting
Treatment
While
getting older isn't always a picnic, there are plenty of steps you
can take to maintain your health and quality of life. Taking care of
your feet is one of the best things you can do to maintain your
mobility and well-being through the journey of menopause. If you're
experiencing foot pain, it's important to schedule an appointment
with a podiatrist as soon as possible to treat the cause of the pain
before it worsens, potentially leading to disabling pain or numbness
of the feet.
