Ah, the golden years: they’re a chance for you to relax, try new things, and enjoy life and family. May is “Older Americans Month,” which is the perfect excuse for you to celebrate your age and wisdom. If your heels hurt, however, it may be much harder for you to be out and enjoying life. Heel pain in the elderly is far too common. Many people erroneously believe it’s an unavoidable part of aging. The truth, though, is that you don’t have to live with pain from plantar fasciitis.
The older you are, the more your body is impacted by every day wear and tear. A lifetime of walking compresses and strains various structures. Your feet typically widen and flatten as a result, increasing both the stress on your plantar fascia and your chances of developing pain. Age weakens your tissues as well, so it’s much easier for you to sustain an injury. All this comes together in a “perfect storm” for your heels.
Plantar fasciitis develops in many ways, but also has many remedies. The sooner you treat it, the more likely the problem will resolve with simple, conservative therapies. Bad shoes can put too much pressure on your plantar fascia, so make sure your footwear has sufficient arch support and heel padding. You may still need orthotics to add that extra cushion and stabilization. Stretching your feet and calves several times throughout the day can make a significant difference, too. It helps keep the ligament flexible so that it doesn’t pull so tightly on your heel bone.
Heel pain in the elderly is an unfortunately common problem, but it doesn’t have to control or limit your life. Aging gracefully should be pain free. Instead of considering your discomfort a “normal” part of getting older, let us at Absolute Foot Care Specialists in Las Vegas restore your heels so you can stay active during your golden years. Call (702) 839-2010 or use our online request form for more information or an appointment.
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