feet too small

[Connemmara]

My 66 year spritely sister 's feet are getting very small - she used to be a size 4 UK - now she could get into a 2 and half. What is happening here - she is not getting any smaller.

[society]

Loss of bone density and muscle mass (muscle atrophy due to lack of use) are the primary causes for the elderly's diminished/shrinking. People typically lose about half an inch each decade--starting at around age 40 (!!), with a faster rate of shrinkage after age 70. Senior citizens may shrink as much as three inches!

[Sqad]

society...all very true.....but that would explain people getting shorter due to old age.....are you saying that the same principal applies to the feet getting smaller?

[society]

"have you thought it could be that shoe sizes are getting bigger?" :-)

[society]

I'm applying the same concept to the feet bones, Squad.
Of course I could be wrong and I don't ever mind being corrected, especially by one who actually knows what they're talking 'bout. ;-)

[Sqad]

society......LOL....don't always assume that I "know what I am talking about"

I agree with Zac....BUT:

If conne's sister has worn tight narrow shoes, as women tend to do, the fashion, you understand, this causes deformities of the feet, usually bunions and what is known as Equina Varis of which there are many types, but one of which is where the toes are squeezed, giving the a shorter foot, because the toes are squeezed.

This may be bullsh1t, but that is the only explanation that I can come up with.

[society]

Wouldn't bunions actually make the feet swollen and larger (wider) ?

[Sqad]

society...yes.....she hasn't got that, but I gave that as an example of many foot deformities due to the long time use of tight narrow shoes.

Zac,....can't think of a good argument against your facts.

[society]

LOL Are you a quack, Doc? (pun intended) :-)
(just kidding)

[Sqad]

soc....LOL I will be ANYTHING if the price is right...LOL

[Eve]

I found this...

http://www.everydayhe...-shrinking/index.aspx

[dothawkes31]

In my years selling shoes, It was very very common to hear women complaining that their feet had shrunk as they got older, just the same as it was common to hear women say they had changed shoe size through dieting or pregnancy. When I got married I wore size 5 shoes, after the birth of my first child 4 years later I was a size 6, now I have one foot 6.5 and one size 6.