Question
I have had blood work done and X-rays taken to prove that arthritis is not a significant issue for me and yet from the waist down I am as stiff as a board. Always have been. Any stretching I do pulls greatly on the tendons and not much more. I am 48 years old and this has been a problem my whole life just getting worse with age and that is what is concerning me. I have always been active, but it's getting to the point of getting out of a chair is difficult. Seems to effect the hips, knees and ankles the most. Is a calcium increase as you mentioned for someone else an recommendation for me as well?

Answer
Dear Paul,

I am so sorry for your discomfort, and I know that some physical conditions can be very frustrating.

There are many conditions that can cause the lower part of the body to become "stiff as a board", so I will do my best to answer this question.

First of all, x-rays alone, even with blood work, is insufficient to rule out any significant joint disease. If you continue to have lower extremity joint pain, perhaps additional specialized imaging techniques are warranted. These could include CT or MR scans. X-rays simply are not very good at showing cartilage or disc injuries.

Lower extremity pain and stiffness can be the result of lower back problems, hip problems, or lower extremity issues. Have you seen a good qualified chiropractic physician for a complete examination and diagnosis of your problem? This might be a great place to start. A medical doctor will typically dismiss your muscle and joint complaints as being unimportant if you don't have any infection, cancer, or broken bone. Worse yet, they might just try to treat your symptoms with pain medication or muscle relaxants. This is not a good long term fix.

My experience in my office has taught me that when somebody tells me (especially men) that they have always been active, it means that they like to play sports, and participate in the great out of doors, but they probably don't do much in the way of daily exercises and stretches. (please, no offense intended... I am 48 years old, male, and I just described myself!)

Muscle and tendons are wonderful little machines, but one thing needs to always be remembered. They are only as strong as you require them to be, and they are only as flexible as you require them to be. If, for example, an office worker spends 40 hours per week, week after week, sitting at a desk, year after year, the hamstring muscles and tendons are going to shorten and weaken, since little is required of them. Even if such a person were to "get out and hike" on the weekends, or ski, or ride bikes, or whatever, if they are not performing daily stretching exercises, and strengthening exercises or activities several times per week, the muscles will learn to do what is usually required of them, and they will rebel against anything that asks more of them, such as stretching.

Calcium, and magnesium, are required for proper functioning of muscles. Usually, since calcium is almost in everything, if there is a deficiency, it is magnesium.  The most common symptom of calcium or magnesium deficiency is muscle cramping, usually at night.

To me, off the top of my head, your problem doesn't sound like a calcium or magnesium deficiency, though if you tried to take such a supplement, it would do you no harm.  

Find a chiro that you like. Have him/her evaluate you for posture and function, and listen to his/her advise. He/she will be able to give you some pointers, and you might surprise yourself how flexible you can be. But first, you have to get a good diagnosis. Otherwise, you might be stretching the heck out of your leg muscles, yet the cause of your "tightness" could be a nerve injury resulting from a disc problem in the lower back.

Paul, I hope that this answer gives you some thoughts and ideas. It is not intended to be a diagnostic work-up, nor a substitute for a beneficial relationship with you health care provider. Find one that you like, and if you don't like him, find another! They are making new doctors and chiropractors every day.

Good luck with your tight legs muscles and tendons!
Dr. Biggs