Major heel pain after running

2»

Replies

  • fdlafon
    fdlafon Posts: 259 Member

    He has brand new running shoes that we just purchased at the beginning of April, so I wouldn't think it is that. This problem just started a week ago.

    Was he fitted for these shoes at a specialty running store by a professional or did he buy a comfortable pair off the shelf?
    bought them off the shelf. But, my point was, that wouldn't the problem have started earlier if it was cheap shoes? I meant early March, that was a typo. We bought them before we went to spring break.
  • CLJC55
    CLJC55 Posts: 8
    I'm with soxthecop on this one. Man was made to run barefoot or at least with Vibran's Five Fingers. I have a pair and love them and no more knee pain. Also had a friend with Plantar and switched to vibran's pain went away and he loves them. May not be for everyone. I have noticed more people wearing these at the gym and no negatives about them yet. You also have to change the way you run and let your foot land naturaly forefoot first. Takes some getting used to.
    That's my 2 cents, I'm not a doctor so get checked out before hand and really find out what the problem is.
  • Nellie1drfl
    Nellie1drfl Posts: 127 Member
    I had this probelm too. I was so worried thought it was PF from my internet searches, but didnt have time to see a doc. So I baught new shoes, not even expensive ones, and I havent had the pain since. It was bad I couldnt walk on my heal for 1-2 days each time.
  • Fitwam
    Fitwam Posts: 275 Member
    Hate to say it...but my flare up was right after I was "fitted" for shoes at a Fleet Feet....Not sure if it was just poor advice, but I do know the shoe recommended was about a full size larger than the one's I ordered off Zappos (after doing a search for best shoes for women runners with bad knees).
    My problem was bound to show up sooner or later. When I went to the podiatrist...he did a sonogram of my heel...there was NO FAT PAD on the heel. Worse he'd ever seen. But he was optimistic and gave all the above suggestions.

    All that being said. I think he's got PF too. If he tries all the above suggestions with the stretches, icing, and insoles etc and gets no relief...it wouldn't hurt to go have a podiatrist or physiotherapist take a look to pinpoint.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member

    He has brand new running shoes that we just purchased at the beginning of April, so I wouldn't think it is that. This problem just started a week ago.

    Was he fitted for these shoes at a specialty running store by a professional or did he buy a comfortable pair off the shelf?
    bought them off the shelf. But, my point was, that wouldn't the problem have started earlier if it was cheap shoes? I meant early March, that was a typo. We bought them before we went to spring break.

    Not necessarily would you have seen this right away. An overuse injury takes time to manifest itself. The new shoes could have been moving his foot in the wrong way and over time this inflammations occurs. In addition to all the other advice here, I'd get him fitted by a running store, just to make sure the he has the right footwear.
  • redlion45
    redlion45 Posts: 155 Member
    It's Plantar Fasciitis, a very common running injury.

    Google it for things you can do. Some of them are.

    Never go barefoot, even when you first get out of bed.
    Roll the foot on a frozen water bottle.
    Stretch the calves.

    ^^^^^^THIS. I get this periodically. All those things can help. You can also buy a splint to wear at night that stretches the plantar fascia and helps with the pain. It worked fo rme. They are online or at most drug stores. These symptoms are classic plantar fasciatis, especially if the pain lessens during the day as the foot lets used, then increases upon sitting for any period of time. Running usually makes it worse. When it flares up, I may have to take up the bike or ellipitcal machine for a week until it settles down.
  • Meghan0116
    Meghan0116 Posts: 1,268 Member
    I had the same problem after running just to find out that I have Achilles Tendonitis. I would suggest a doctor's visit for xrays and better information. :)
  • nyla23608
    nyla23608 Posts: 66 Member
    It might be PF. I'm currently dealing with it now. I went to doc, had custom insoles made and sleep with a boot on both feet everynight. It has helped lessen the pain, but sometimes my heel is still tender when I first get out of bed in the morning. I've started stretching techinques also. Going to the doctor would be the best choice. Hope he feels better soon! :smile:
  • mdsjmom98
    mdsjmom98 Posts: 333 Member
    I have plantar faciitis, and it IS painful. I have found that stretching exercises do help, as well as the frozen water bottle across the bottom of the foot, more specifically the heel and the arch. I found one exercise to be very helpful. As he's laying down, have him pull his leg up to his chest, pull the foot towards you, then stretch out the leg very gradually. I find it works best when laying on my side. There will be days I can't even get out of bed before doing these stretches. There are a few others I can tell you about, if you're interested.
  • tnrunningnurse
    tnrunningnurse Posts: 549 Member
    I trained for a Marathon with Plantar's. First if you have not had your gait analyzed at a running store, do so, this will assure that you are running in the correct shoe, Second purchase a Prostretch at the running store, Third freeze a water bottle to roll you foot over, fourth get a tennis ball to roll your foot over, fifth google strasburg sock, and either purchase one or jimmy rig your own. I could not sleep in my strasburg (jimmy rigged), but I did wear it while watching TV.
  • idlose
    idlose Posts: 16
    i would also say PF because i have been a long time sufferer of that as well. another possible cause may be a bone spur. i went to my local shoe repair/cobbler here because the mass chains just dont know much. but i got some really good insoles and they are heat molded, also he beveled out a small spot on the heal incase mine was from a spur as well...now that i have been wearing them, i no longer have PF. it took a LOOOOOOONG time to heal tho, constant stretching and massaging it. also, wear shoes at all times (except in bed). no more barefoot until its gone. i looked up taping on youtube, and used ice too. good luck
  • JoniBologna
    JoniBologna Posts: 653 Member
    Also, I wanted to add 4-5 times a week is maybe a bit much for a newbie. I just started in January myself, and I run maybe 2 or 3 times a week. My vote is for plantar fasciitis, as well. He definitely needs to back off the running for a little bit until he can get it figured out. Best of luck!
  • fdlafon
    fdlafon Posts: 259 Member
    Also, I wanted to add 4-5 times a week is maybe a bit much for a newbie. I just started in January myself, and I run maybe 2 or 3 times a week. My vote is for plantar fasciitis, as well. He definitely needs to back off the running for a little bit until he can get it figured out. Best of luck!

    He has seen great results, and was more concerned with the endurance to finish the race well. However, because of some of these ailments, he has backed off quite a bit, and is listening to his body. He has only ran twice since this began a week ago.
    He had no problems with running that much until a week ago.
    The original knee issue os from something else, not the running.