“Don’t wait until you can no longer walk.”

During the 2012 Olympics, we saw the story of American Manteo Mitchell who broke his leg during a race, and still finished first. However, he was a trained athlete and was 25 years old! As we age, we really need to begin to “listen” to our body and not wait until we can no longer walk. Here are some common issues treated by Dr. Hulon Crayton at The Arthritis and Infusion Center:

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. According to PubMed Health, Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult. You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have:

·         Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)

·         Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces

·         Sudden weight gain or obesity

·         Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)

·         Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles

Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it most often affects active men ages 40 - 70. Treatment may include medication or injections into the problem area.

Bone density should also be carefully monitored as we age. Dr. Crayton recommends a Bone Density Scan in order to determine how fragile your bones are, and then he can recommend treatment according to your test results. 

 Do not ignore your symptoms until you can no longer walk!  Dr. Crayton constantly reminds people:  “Pain is not normal!”  Let The Arthritis and Infusion Center help!