No, don't stop walking!

Many people forget to warm up before walking and that could cause pain after the walk. Also good to warm down after the walk.

My friend of 53 years was in a bad accident 15 years ago, he was run off the road by tourists and had extensive body damage where he spent 5 months in the spinal unit in Brisbane. It was touch and go if he would ever walk again. He has more wire in him than a small towns street electrical wires.

He walks (and I use that word loosely), with a single crutch, one that has an opening to put your arm into and your hand rests on a bar further down the crutch shaft. His right foot drags and then swings outward to walk. He is always in pain and much of his spines info, nerve damage, makes it impossible for him to sweat or to even have feeling in some areas.

He has been testing Glucosamine now for about the last 6 months and he said it has improved his pain although does not improve a better walking gait. He reckons about 60-70% better than he was and he is happy with that.

I am in a similar boat but the thing that really keeps me going is Pilates. You can download programs but it's better if you go and join a gym and get a good instructor. The beauty of it is that nearly all the exercises are done while you're lying down!  There are many variations to allow you to do the exercises the way you are able rather than some instructor yelling to "feel the burn" etc. No pressure at all . You go at the pace you can but you really feel the muscles working.

Before you go in to your class, sit on a rowing machine and do what you can to warm up and stretch your muscles or maybe a gentle ride on a stationary bike. The bonus is there will probably be people our age doing that class and now I know a few of them, after the class is the time for a short work to the coffee shop and a bit of a chinwag. 

Give it a go!

Yes keep moving as long as you are able once you stop it doesn't take long to lose the ability

Use it or lose it  --So true

A lot of  my neighbours go to the pool every other day and do pool walking there, I have done this when my knees are hurting and it does seem to work, although I have to swim as well.  If you have a access to YouTube you could try "walkaerobic":workouts for free, softer on your joints doing it on your rug indoors and then just do gentle short walks outside. I have tried all these things and they seem to work.

Try Tai Chi, very gentle and some seniors groups even have Chair Tai Chi which you do sitting on a chair. Try googling it and you might be able to follow it online, or go online and look for seniors groups in your local area, or ring your local library.

Johnboy keep at it, I'm 73 and I find that stretching every morning when I wake up gets rid of pains and stiffness, you'll find lots of good easy to do exercises on YouTube. Also see if you can find a Pool near you with a Spa and Sauna, try to go at least twice a week. Spas and especially Saunas have great therapeutic effects on your body and with a swim will promote a feeling of well being.   All the best, Cheers