Treatments Keep Seniors Active and Pain Free, Says American College of Foot And Ankle Surgeons

Senior citizens with foot pain can do something about it. Instead of abiding by the faulty but commonly accepted notion that muscle and joint discomfort is a natural consequence of ageing, seniors with foot problems should seek treatment rather than needlessly endure pain that will deprive them of an active lifestyle, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

"Unfortunately many seniors believe it's normal to have pain as you get older, but nothing could be further from the truth," said Kimberly Eickmeier, DPM, a Podiatric surgeon at the Christie Clinic in Champaign, Ill., and spokesperson for ACFAS. "As a result, they usually don't seek treatment for painful abnormalities, such as bunions, which are caused by genetic defects -- not old age -- and can be corrected with surgery and a short recovery period."

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that bunion surgery is more than 80 percent successful in relieving pain. "In older patients, bunions are very debilitating because these deformities worsen and become more painful over time," said Eickmeier. "Given the outstanding success rate of corrective forefoot surgery, there's no reason for any senior to be debilitated by bunions. Further, the adverse health implications of being inactive are far more serious than any risk associated with surgery."

Eickmeier said seniors who are avid walkers frequently have heel pain, especially if they've been relatively inactive in the winter months. For those experiencing this problem, Eickmeier advised that taking ibuprofen or aspirin and doing daily stretching exercises usually provide some relief. But if heel pain persists more than two weeks, she recommends a consultation with a Podiatric foot and ankle surgeon for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic heel pain originates deep within the foot, directly on the heel or within the bone's connective tissues, called the fascia. Pain can result when fascia become irritated or inflamed or when small spurs grow on the heel bone. In the large majority of cases, persistent heel pain can be treated successfully with orthotics, according to Eickmeier. "Orthotics provide a cushion and support that help reduce inflammation and stress in the heel area."

In situations when conservative treatment fails, outpatient surgical procedures are effective. "Surgery for heel pain doesn't require a long recovery period and it permanently relieves the source of pressure on the heel bone," said Eickmeier. She added that the most common surgical procedures involve removal of the fascia and spurs from the heel bone. Three or four weeks of physical therapy generally follow heel surgery and full recovery takes six to eight weeks.

Seniors interested in further information should contact the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons for free brochures on a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions or to locate a Podiatric foot and ankle surgeon in their communities.