Article Text
Abstract
Foot pathologies in older adults are associated with falls and complications such as amputations and ulcers. We report a case of an older man who presented to the geriatric medicine outpatient clinic. History taking revealed a fall, recent episode of delirium and decline in functional status with the patient reporting he was no longer able to cut his own toenails. Medical history included hypothyroidism, depression and hearing impairment. Physical examination detected very long, thickened toenails with bilateral bony deformities of the foot. Additionally, he had borderline slow gait speed and had difficulty completing a chair stand. Inability to maintain foot care suggested an early insight into a deterioration of overall function and emergence of frailty. An interprofessional team approach to the patient’s care included a medication review, referrals to podiatry, orthotics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. His toenails were debrided and orthopaedic shoes were prescribed with no further falls.
- geriatric medicine
- memory disorders (psychiatry)
- dermatology
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Footnotes
KJ and CB contributed equally.
Contributors KJ and CB both contributed equally and wish to be listed as co-first authors. KJ and CB contributed to conceptualisation, methodology, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing. AWS contributed to conceptualisation and writing—review and editing.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the VA Boston and New England GRECC. The contents do not represent the views of VA or the United States Government.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.