Art of Aging: Taking care of your feet

In this week's Art of Aging, Lisa Thomas-Laury gets some advice on taking care of those tootsies.

Just like the rest of our bodies, feet change as we age.

Bunions, calluses, corns and heel pain can crop up and medical conditions like diabetes and lupus can exacerbate discomfort.

Lynn Donnelly of Media, Pa. spent most of her working years on her feet as a nurse.

Podiatrist Doctor John Pron of Riddle Hospital Main Line Health says you don't need a job like that for time to take a toll on your feet.

For people who are too sedentary, the 33 joints and nearly 100 tendons and ligaments in the foot can dry out and become tight.

"Bones can shift, joints can move. And now we're putting pressure on things we shouldn't put pressure on," said Dr. Pron.

Extra weight also adds pressure to feet and knees - 3 pounds for each one over your target weight.

But Dr. Pron says staying active can head off many problems! Make comfort your priority in shoes and remember, your foot size can change!

Dr. Pron said, "You don't know how many times people come into the office, put their hands on their hips and say - I've always been a size 8, doctor."

You can check your size at home with print-out charts, you get from online.

Lynn says don't ignore foot problems. Find a doctor you can trust and do what he or she says!