The vulnerable ageing foot

Older people often need podiatry attention and predominate in foot clinics. Their management requires special attention to the effects of age on the foot. Good foot care in elderly people demands an awareness of risk, cautious surgical intervention, punctilious hygiene and sterility in procedures, to avoid infection and ensure satisfactory outcome. Professional failure to meet this challenge can result in infection, morbidity and loss of mobility.The ageing process is associated with physiological changes, increased incidence of comorbidity, iatrogenic illness and functional disability.3,4,5 Changes which occur in cardio-pulmonary and neurological function, cell-mediated immune and metabolic responses, skeleton and skin structure can