Why Foot Problems Get More Common With Age and What to Do About It

Your feet can experience wear and tear as you age — after all, they've (literally) carried you through life. That's why you might have trouble with your tootsies as you get older. But what changes can you expect in aging feet, exactly, and why?

Here are the most common foot problems in older adults and how to deal with them, plus some expert-approved shoe recommendations to support healthy feet as you age.

According to Kenneth Cornell, DPM, a podiatrist at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas, adults are generally more likely to have foot issues — including foot pain — as they get older. There can be several causes, but the most common is overuse and the way your feet change over time.

"As we age, our feet tend to have less elasticity — our arches become weaker and tissue becomes less elastic," he says. "When there is less elasticity, you're more likely to suffer arthritis or overuse injury and, therefore, foot pain."

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot issues that can crop up as you age, Dr. Cornell says. It's a condition caused by injury to the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot and acts as arch support.

When the plantar fascia is strained and inflamed, it can cause heel and arch pain.

Arthritis, which is swelling or tenderness of one or more joints, is also common as we age, Dr. Cornell says. This typically occurs because our arches weaken over time, paving the way for joint strain and pain.

Ankle arthritis, which is a form of osteoarthritis, occurs when the cartilage of the ankle joint wears thin and breaks down over time. When the bones lack cartilage to protect them from the friction that occurs with movement, they can fragment and form spurs, which can cause pain and stiffness in the joint.

Another common foot problem in older adults is adult-acquired flat feet, Dr. Cornell says. This occurs when the foot starts turning out as the tendons, which are meant to hold up the arch, begin to weaken.

Bunions are a protrusion on the side of the big toe that occur when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place, Dr. Cornell says.

"Bunions can worsen as we age because our feet get wider and arch height decreases," he says. "As the tissues relax, the bunion gets larger."

A hammertoe occurs when the toe (often the second one) moves up and out of position, Dr. Cornell says.

"Sometimes pressure from a bunion could cause hammertoe, but it's more often caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or don't fit well," he says. "Wearing high heels can aggravate this condition by pushing the toes into the shoe."

People with hammertoes also often develop calluses due to the bent toe rubbing against the shoe, which can aggravate the pain, he says.

A neuroma is a benign growth of nerve tissue, usually around the third and fourth toes, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

It's sometimes called a pinched nerve or nerve tumor, and can create a burning sensation, tingling or numbness between the toes while walking, Dr. Cornell says. This condition is more common in people assigned female at birth than people assigned male at birth.

Dr. Cornell says you're at higher risk for the above conditions as you age, which is why investing in supportive, quality footwear is crucial.

"Many foot conditions can be prevented by wearing proper footwear and, when needed, orthotic inserts," he says. "Common foot conditions that occur as we age, such as bunions, neuromas, hammertoes and calluses, can be prevented by choosing shoes that fit correctly and by avoiding high heels."

When shopping, Dr. Cornell recommends looking for shoes that aren't too flexible in the toes (you shouldn't be able to roll the shoe up) and a wide (versus narrow) toe box. "Your shoes should provide adequate biomechanical support and stability to the foot, as well as good longitudinal arch support," he says.

Orthotics (aka shoe inserts) can cushion your feet, providing comfort as well as support for issues like weaker arches, according to UCLA Health. You can buy these over-the-counter or get custom-made orthotics from your podiatrist that are made specifically for your feet (though the latter is more expensive).

Make sure to measure your feet before you buy new shoes, as they can flatten and widen as you get older, thereby changing your shoe size.

Foot pain may be more common as you age, but that doesn't mean it's normal or unavoidable. If your feet ache or cause you discomfort, make an appointment with a podiatrist to get them checked and learn about treatment options.

Based on the guidelines above, here are some of Dr. Cornell's recommendations for comfortable and supportive footwear.

Note that certain brands categorize their shoes as being for "men" or "women," which is why we've used those terms below, but we encourage people to buy the shoes they like, regardless of marketing lingo.