BOSTON -- They went to Woodstock, danced to rock and roll and disco music. Now that active Baby Boomers are approaching retirement, many of them facing painful arthritis in their toes, feet and ankles.

"We see a lot more arthritis in Baby Boomers, because they tend to be more active than the past generations," John Giurini, a Boston foot and ankle surgeon and president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons told Boston television station WCVB.

"They are participating in many sporting activities at a higher level and more frequently, and they want to continue participate in these high level activities, even when they are aging."

According to 2002 statistic from Arthritis Foundation. more than 50 percent of adults age 75 and older reported an arthritis diagnosis.

Massachusetts teacher Abby Watt, 55, started dancing when she was 4 years old and went to Woodstock in 1968. She is now struggling with ankle and hand pain.

"I have had arthritis for close to 20 years in my feet and started to develop it in my hands last winter," said Watt. "My doctor advises me to try not to do certain thing with my feet, and I now have to wear special insole shoes and don't bend my feet. I also try not to use my hands too much and don't carry heavy things."

Watt said her life has changed a lot, but she doesn't want to stop being active. Even though she could never become a runner anymore, she still dances and continues to coach gymnastics at the high school in Needham, with some limitations.

"I can't fully demonstrate for the kids anymore, because I can't bend my feet," said Watt. "But I do the best of my ability."

Watt said arthritis in her ankles has also leads to other injuries.

"So, just like other people that experience arthritis, you have to change the way you do things, and sometime it hurts other parts of the body and starts new problems," said Watt. "My feet can't bend, so I can't exercise my arch and my heels start to hurt."

Foot and ankle surgeons say arthritis patients must modify their daily exercise in order to live with less pain.

"Even when the patients already had surgeries, it doesn't necessarily mean everything would be perfect," said Giurini. "It doesn't mean that the patients can get back to the same level of activities they did before the surgeries."

Giurini also said there are many conservative treatments, such as resting or using ice to stop any swelling, as well as physical therapy, which can help patients before they have to consider surgery.

They also recommend that patients wear supporting devices inside their shoes to provide additional support.

Giurini, however, said the best prevention from the long-term arthritis suffering is early treatment.

"If you experience any pains for more than three to five days and (it) doesn't go away when you threat it with ice or anti-inflammatory, you should get an evaluation by an ankle surgeon," said Giurini. "See what is going on. See what treatments are available. Don't ignore it. The earlier we catch the injuries, the better it will be."

Baby Boomers are most likely to develop osteoarthritis in their big toes joint because the big toe absorbs forces equal to almost twice a person's weight when they are walking, according to ACFAS. The joint plays significant role in stooping and standing. Some patients this age also start developing big toe stiffness.