We see patients in all walks of life in our office, but we really like helping active adults get back on their feet after an injury. Although being active comes with its own injury risks, staying active and getting regular exercise is one of the single best things you can do for your long-term health, so we love helping patients regain their ability to stay active on their feet. Injuries can fell this patient group in a number of ways, but their way of life can increase their risk of certain injuries, so in today’s blog, we’re going to spotlight four common causes of foot pain in active adults over the age of 60.
Foot Injuries In Active Older Adults
Here’s a look at some of the most common issues that we see in active older populations in our office:
1. Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis involves a thickening of the connective tissues on the underside of your foot that connect your heel to your toes, and oftentimes it develops as a result of overuse. These connective tissues can get a little weaker as a result of the natural aging process, and if you remain active or exercise too much, you can overstress these tissues and develop microtears in the structures. Plantar fasciitis can be a difficult condition to overcome on your own because it’s easy to continue agitating these structures just by stressing the foot throughout the day. Bracing, walking boots and a gradual return to strenuous activity can slowly help you overcome plantar fasciitis, but we can tailor a specific recovery routine to your individual needs and goals.
2. Achilles Tendinitis – Another type of overstress injury is Achilles tendinitis, and it develops when someone puts too much strain on their Achilles tendon. Your Achilles is the largest and strongest tendon in your body, but it’s not immune from wear and tear, and as an active adult you probably have put decades of strain on your Achilles. If you continue to be active in your senior years, there’s a chance that the strong tendon fibers simply can’t handle the same amount of strain as they could in the past, leading to inflammation and tendinitis. Backing off the activity in the short term, putting your feet in supportive shoes and slowly increasing your activity as you return to stressful movements can help keep Achilles tendinitis at bay.
3. Ankle Osteoarthritis – Another degenerative condition that is incredibly common among older adults is osteoarthritis, which involves the breakdown of protective cartilage. If this cartilage breakdown occurs in the ankle joint, foot movements can become difficult or downright painful. Staying active is one of the best ways to ward off ankle osteoarthritis, but orthotic inserts, an improved diet and switching to lower-impact activities can all make managing ankle osteoarthritis less of a burden. Very painful or degenerative ankle joints may be surgically addressed with a fusion or replacement procedure.
4. Metatarsalgia – Finally, older adults with a forefoot strike gait may be at a heightened risk of metatarsalgia, which is a condition categorized by pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, directly behind the toe area. This is common in older adults who may have experienced some natural fat pad loss in this area of their foot. If putting pressure on this foot is uncomfortable or it almost feels like there is a small pebble in your shoe when you’re walking, you may be dealing with metatarsalgia. Talk with your foot specialist or your primary care physician about this discomfort. Switching shoes, wearing an orthotic insert and short-term rest can prove effective in the management of metatarsalgia.
Don’t let foot pain slow you down as you get older. Connect with Dr. Silverman and the team at OrthoArizona and let us make your foot discomfort a thing of the past. For more information, connect with our team today at (602) 648-5444.