Osteoporosis and Podiatry: Taking Care of Your Feet

At Fairfax County’s Clifton Foot & Ankle Center, we observe World Osteoporosis Day each year on October 20th. It’s the perfect time for us to reach out to our patients who may not know osteoporosis can cause foot and ankle problems.
What is osteoporosis, and how can you prevent it?
Picture a normal bone’s exterior, made of hard tissue, and then visualize the interior, where the tissue is much softer. That soft tissue can deteriorate, becoming thin and porous. An x-ray of a bone with osteoporosis looks like Swiss cheese.
Bones with osteoporosis are fragile because they lose important minerals, like calcium. Bone loss can happen due to simple aging –once you reach age 30, your bones break down faster than they build up. However, that doesn’t mean that all older Americans will develop osteoporosis. One of the best ways to prevent it is to ensure your diet provides adequate calcium.
Foods rich in calcium include:
- Fortified milk (including plant-based milk).
- Cheese.
- Yogurt.
- Sardines.
- Edamame.
- Leafy greens.
Getting enough Vitamin D is also essential, which helps the body absorb calcium.
Another excellent way to maintain strong bones is to perform weight-bearing exercises such as walking, running, and lifting weights.
Finally, you can ask your primary care provider or our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm, to order periodic bone density tests. A bone density test is a simple scan of your body that measures bone mineral density and estimates your risk of future fractures.
How our podiatrist can help with osteoporosis
In addition to providing advice about diet, exercise, and proper footwear, Dr. Wilhelm can also help people who already have problems with their feet and ankles due to osteoporosis. We can provide custom orthotics that make walking more comfortable, reduce the risk of fracturing your brittle bones, and help prevent falling. Dr. Wilhelm can also perform surgery to repair fractured bones.
Osteoporosis can have a severe negative effect on your life, decreasing your mobility and independence. A proper diet, regular exercise, and screening can help prevent it. But, if you have a diagnosis, make an appointment at our Centreville podiatry office for a thorough evaluation of the risk to your feet and ankles. Contact us online or call (703) 996-3000.