Avaliação do pé de idosos para formulação de uma proposta de autocuidado

Abstract

Introduction: With the increase in life expectancy, the process of population aging has been occurring at an accelerated pace and, consequently, there are numerous changes that interfere with the functional capacity and the quality of life of the elderly, among which are foot diseases. Objective: To evaluate the geriatric foot and to formulate a proposal of Self-care. Method: A community-based epidemiological study with a sample of 40 elderly people (age equal or superior to 60 years old) from the city of Uberlândia-MG, who complained of foot pain. We used the Y Balance Test, the Muscle Stress and Lift Strength Test, the Timed Get Up and Go Mobility Test, the location diagram of the subjective pain in the feet, the Manchester disability index associated with the foot pain in the elderly and the SF 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: Mean values for the Time Up and Go test were 11.75 ± 2.47 repetitions, Muscle Strength Test time of 8.35 ± 1.5 seconds, and in the Y Balance Test measures anterior, postero-medial and posterolateral respectively: 53.39 ± 27.8cm, 59.96 ± 16.45cm and 55.99 ± 17.25cm. The main alterations found in the Pain Chart were: structural deformities (35.72%), with the presence of callosity (10.44%) and sesamoiditis (5.49%); followed by changes in the nails (30.22%), with thick nails (9.34%), ingrown nails (6.04%) and unimicose (6.04%). In the dermatological alterations (26.38%) we found dry skin (9.34%) and fissure (8.79%) as the main occurrences. In the SF-36 questionnaire, the AS-Social Aspects (76.88 ± 20.71) and SM-Mental Health (72.8 ± 17.8) showed ideal scores for quality of life. In the field of General Health Status, we found a lower score (16.56 ± 3.12). Conclusion: We can conclude that the sample of this study presents a low prevalence of foot pain when related to functional capacity, foot pain does not interfere in the accomplishment of activities of daily living, not being a limiting factor. Further studies should be performed to investigate interventions that aim to further prevent the disorders of the elderly feet.