We provide this free health resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

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 aging, seniors with foot problems can utilize a variety of foot care products and treatment rather than needlessly endure pain that will deprive them of an active lifestyle.

"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."

Foot surgery is the alternative if over the counter foot care products are not successful. 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."

Seniors who are avid walkers frequently have heel pain, especially if they've been relatively inactive in the winter months. Taking ibuprofen or aspirin and doing daily stretching exercises usually provide some relief along with foot products designed to reduce heel pain. But if heel pain persists, a consultation with a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon for definitive diagnosis and treatment is advisable.

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 or over the counter foot care products that 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. The toll-free number is 1-888-THE FEET and the College's web site address is www.acfas.org

SOURCE American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons