Heel Pain

uwdawg07

Three days ago I woke up with horrible pain in my left heel. As the day goes on it eases, but is always there. I took the day off from exercise yesterday. This morning the pain was absolutely terrible!

This came on very suddenly. Has anyone else dealt with this? And what can I do to help with the pain?

Thanks!

PurpleTina

I'm not medically qualified in any way, but it *could* be plantar fasciatis. Sounds very similar to the symptoms that I suffered from as a result of the wrong kind of training shoes. Best to consult a medical bod of some sort, but you could google it in the meantime, there are some stretches that can help.

Ultimately what cured it for me was a combination of 'proper' (appropriate, fitted at a running shop) trainers, and time.

lmores

I'm not medically qualified in any way, but it *could* be plantar fasciatis. Sounds very similar to the symptoms that I suffered from as a result of the wrong kind of training shoes. Best to consult a medical bod of some sort, but you could google it in the meantime, there are some stretches that can help.

Ultimately what cured it for me was a combination of 'proper' (appropriate, fitted at a running shop) trainers, and time.

I am also NOT a doctor but I was going to post the exact same thing. Also I got custom orthotics that helped but I first had heel pain in May and I am still not back to actually running.

TorontoDiane

sounds a lot like plantar fasiatis... or a bone spur .... I have both... and it came on really suddenly with me a year ago as well... it feels like the back of the heel is coming apart from the bone and the pain underneath unbearable... especially upon waking and walking became excruitiating... an xray and ultrasound will confirm it immediately !!! good luck

courtneylee31

First year nurse, obviously no doctor either lol: Could be plantar fasciatis. Try stretching, heat/ice. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as aspirin and Ibuprofen for pain. If it persists you may need a corticosteroid. Other than that it may be a good idea to go to the doc and see what he has to say. Best of luck to ya!

spippin73

Oh yes mam!!! Planters. Doctors will tell you stretch and wear non-flexible shoes - no sandals. Right. I had it for months, very painful to the point of tears at times. Believe it or not, I took a trip to Universal Studios. Didn't know how I was going to do all the walking. But something happened on the trip. I think I snapped the ligament or tendon and it went away as quickly as it came. Doctors can perform surgery (just heard that some pro football player was scheduled for the surgery, but then his snapped on it's own during practice). I think that is what happened to mine. Good luck. I know how painful it can be!!!

TorontoDiane

I agree with courtney... I did end up having a steroid injection and there was some pain relief as I cannot tolerate aspirin due to an allergy... but a podiatrist also suggested laser therapy as well and has had good results with that... but it is very expensive.. time sometimes heals it slightly... I still have pain over a year later but it is not nearly as bad as it used to be

good luck

flatblade

I have had plantar fachiitis and it is painful and take a long time to heal. My doc told me to stretch the affected area and warned that it would take time. It feels like stepping on a stone over and over again.

kelp99

I agree this does sound like a bone spur. Definitely go see your doctor. I kept putting it off when I only had symptoms in one foot, and as a result developed it in the other because of how I adjusted my walking. So now I have heel spurs and plantar fasciitus in both my feet. I've had the cortisone shots and paid for the $400 dollar Orthotics and tried different types of shoes. What finally worked for me are the walkfit orthotics and taking Aleve.

I don't know where you are from so I don't know if you have access to one, but Walmart has a machine you can stand on that will help you pick out a pair of orthotics (if you need them) and they are only about $50 or so.

maddymama

I had plantar fasciitis, and it sounds alot like what you are describing. I finally went to an ortho, who prescribed custom orthotics. After wearing them for a week, the pain went away! Now I only have pain if I don't wear my orthotic one day or walk around barefoot all day.

JanaCanada

So....are you reletively pain-free while sleeping, then you get out of bed, stand up, and experience ecruciating pain? Does your foot feel fine while at rest, then major pain when you put weight on it, but the pain actually gets better as you walk around? Then you have plantar fascitis.

I just got orthotics for heel spurs/plantar fascitis. Wonderful relief! If you cannot aford to see a podiatrist to get orthotics, Dr. Scholl's has some great ones that you can get at your local pharmacy. Your arch needs support. Google "wrap techniques for planatr fascitis". This wrap will help support your arch. As well, take some OTC anti-inflamatories, and if they aren;t enough, see your doctor for prescription strength anti-inflamatories.

spud_chick

My husband is an avid runner and had the same problem; turned out it was plantar fasciitis with a bone spur. His ortho doc gave him some 40.00 orthotics (Redi-Thotics) and ordered him to rest it until pain subsided (in his case several weeks), then resume running gradually with the orthotics, and that worked out well for him. That was in April but he's been able to train as scheduled for the half-marathon next month. On his own (the doc didn't tell him to), he also chooses to wear a plantar brace (pic url below) when he's lounging because it feels good.

Agree with others here that urge you to see a doctor; husband was trying to run through it because he has the Crazy Runner Gene but was making it considerably worse. Your down time will probably be shorter if you address it quickly without waiting.

http://www.assistireland.ie/uploadedfiles/Product_Images/Orthoses/Lower_Limb/Plantar_FXT_Night_Brace_(HCA)_9223.jpg

FabMrFox

I'm not a doctor but it sounds like it could be cause by chewing gum, drinking diet soda, and posting revealing pictures

CharlieBarleyMom

I have the same thing. I did go see two doctors... first of which said it was a heel spur and the second (more than a year later) said plantar fasciitis. She gave me exercises to do and told me that I can wear the night brace and they were going to order custom orthotics for my shoes... but I wear high heel shoes almost every day to work... I really wasn't into trying to fit an orthotic into my dress shoes. So she gave me options -- work it out with the exercises or we can go to surgery if that doesn't work.

I was extremely lazy with the exercises on my foot.... and then I started eating ground flaxseed and chia seed on a regular basis (daily)... 1 ounce of ground flaxseed and 1/2 ounce (12 grams actually) of chia seeds... after a couple weeks of that, my pain is gone unless I miss 2 days in a row... I have been telling everyone I know. This worked miracles for me!

Yes, I can still feel it if I walk around in flip-flops all day long... but other than that, no pain whatsoever in my foot!

See a doctor!

spud_chick

I was extremely lazy with the exercises on my foot.... and then I started eating ground flaxseed and chia seed on a regular basis (daily)... 1 ounce of ground flaxseed and 1/2 ounce (12 grams actually) of chia seeds... after a couple weeks of that, my pain is gone unless I miss 2 days in a row... I have been telling everyone I know. This worked miracles for me!

I have osteoarthritis in my shoulder, back, hip knee, and feet, and I noticed a real difference when my chiro told me to up my omega-3 intake to 'theraputic levels' to help with the chronic inflammation. I doubled my red krill to 1g daily and noticed a difference, and am waiting on some chia now in the hopes of adding more omegas to my diet less expensively (those supplements are $$$). Thanks for sharing your experience! Chia is sold out everywhere I look so it's been hard to get ahold of--it must be working well for lots of people.

MyCornerOnline

I agree with all of the above. Again as others, I'm not in medical field.

I've suffered from heel spurs for a long time now. I used to get shots in my heels regularly ( would have to have it twice, two weeks apart, to be effective, but it would wear off), but now I've learned to just deal with the pain. It's not bad enough for surgery, so these are my choices.

It helps to understand what is going on. The muscle along the bottom of your foot is wrapped around the spur. It is not the spur sticking down that hurts, but rather that your muscle is stretching further than it should. It is like any other muscle that when you overuse it or overstretch it, it will get sore and contract. What happens is when you sleep, the muscle contracts, relaxes, gets shorter. So when you stand first thing in the morning, it stretches back out. The pain you feel is your muscle being stretched out beyond the norm.

So when they refer to stretching in the above posts, what they mean is to stretch out that muscle along the bottom of your foot by pulling your toes back toward your shin. If you do this before you stand up in the morning, it helps.

As you walk throughout the day, your muscle stretches back out and that is why it is hurting less. However, because of the spur, it is stretching further than it would normally.

Yes, correct shoes and/or inserts help too.

For me, I limit myself to no more than 2 hours a day on my feet (my personal limit). If I do more than that, I cannot walk well the next day. When I exercise, it is no impact.

Of course, having a family that understands and a hubby that likes to rub my feet also helps.

I hope this info is of help to you.

NewMeAT33

Dont let this go on too long and dont push it.
Stretch. Ice. Advil.

Trust me.
I didnt treat it and I was out of commission for MONTHS. A friend is now having surgery. YIKES>

uwdawg07

Thanks guys! I did Google a bit and thought it sounded like plantar fasciitis...but I was hoping not. So strange - just came out of nowhere!

I'll make sure to wear good shoes when I exercise and ice afterwards...hopefully this will go away in time. I'll Google more about it too.

OliveCarsey

Oddly enough I have had the same problem since Saturday- today I am actually able to walk mostly normal- up until yesterday i had to use crutches it was that bad. Keep it up as much as you can, ice, and anti inflamitory- also make sure all your shoes have good arch support, thats what i did wrong- spent to much time in my heels one week. I hope you feel better soon- this really sucks.

uwdawg07

Well it was pretty painful during my exercise last night. I iced afterwards for 20 minutes. Hurting quite a lot now!! Dang, this sucks. I'm hoping the pain will ease over time like my shin splints and achilles tendon pain. Exercise injuries are no fun!!

MyCornerOnline

I'm sorry it's not better, but we can relate.

There have been many times I've had to use the wall to help myself get down the hallway to the bathroom first thing in the morning.

Drussander

Totally Plantar Fasciaitis! Does it feel like a nail in your heel when you step on your feet first thing in the morning? Yep.....

You need better, more supportive shoes. I cured mine with some Birkenstock sandals.

Also, there you should stretch your calves and massage the plantar. You can get a cortisone injection too, but that doesn't last long.

The thing that cured me was better footbeds and cushioning in the footwear. Also, don't walk barefoot until it heals. Get some Crocs to wear in the shower even. I wouldn't waste my money on Orthotics, and I have had it a few times. Losing weight helps too.

See your doctor to be sure if you can. If you need footwear suggestions, let me know.

SomeoneSomeplace

See a doctor, make sure it isn't something more serious.

I have an Achilles injury that started with hell pain/tendonitis, I kept pushing it thinking it wasn't a big deal and winded up with tear. Most painful experience of my life. It was literally excruciating. I was out of the gym for 6 months, on crutches for almost 2 months & in a walking boot for almost 3 months and I still deal with weakness/pain over a year later.

Those kinds of injuries aren't the type you want to mess around with. I recommend taking some time off of running and maybe focus on less heel intensive work outs like the ellptical and bike

I strongly urge you to see a doctor and see what's up. They may fit you with special soles for your shoes for extra support.

chubbygirl253

I had plantar fasciaitis (spelling?) Anyway, my Dr. described it perfectly as that "first step pain." Its at it's worst when you first get out of bed in the morning or after sitting a while. When I had it I was working in a restaurant and on my feet for 10+ hours a day and after sitting in the car to drive home the first couple steps out of the car to go into the house were like walking on glass shards. If that sounds like what you have, google it for exercises you can do. It came on suddenly for me and left just as suddenly too, but lasted about 6 mos. I wish I'd seen a doctor sooner or had looked up ways to treat it. Good luck!

livinbb

Same here. The pain came out of no where when I started getting into running 2 years ago. Left it for a while then eventually sought out a chiropodist. She informed me my shoes were horrible and gave me no support and that I would need custom orthodics. $500 later and I was good after a week of just walking around in my new shoes with the orthodics.
Now the pain has come back. I am buying new shoes, thinking the ones I bought 2 years ago are lacking their original support and icing my heel in the evenings. Hoping I won't need to head back to the chiropodist for another set of orthodics, they are darned expensive!!!!!

CLD79

I am also having the same thing. I went to the doc and it is plantar fasciatis and a bone spur. I have not been able to work out in over a week and don't see myself being able to work out like I was anytime soon. The doc gave me some exercises, medicine and wants a follow up next week. So far the only thing helping AT ALL is some shoe inserts I bought at the grocery store. Not much relief but taking the edge off so I can do minimal walking.

Andybeth

This should be checked by your doctor. I ignored heel pain and it turned out to be a torn achilles tendon. The pain comes and goes until it ruptures. Then the treatment gets really inconvenient.

Drussander

Trust me on this one - Birkenstocks! Yes they are hideous and granola-ish. But I'll be damned if they don't make the pain go away. Read up on Birks - many plantar sufferers use them.

NewMeAT33

also avoid beach/sand walk or runs. It is a trigger for me no matter how good I am feeling.

Orthaheel makes some good shoes.

NO FLIP-FLOPS. Ever. This was the hardest thing for me.

JanaCanada

Trust me on this one - Birkenstocks! Yes they are hideous and granola-ish. But I'll be damned if they don't make the pain go away. Read up on Birks - many plantar sufferers use them.

Yes, yes yes..and YES!!!!!

Roseygirl1

I am a doctor.

I've also had excrutiating plantar fasciitis that turned out to be related to a tick-borne infection (Bartonella) which I got along with my case of Lyme Disease.

It took me a long time to get a diagnosis because I never knew I had been bitten by a tick and I didn't get the classic rash.

I had the heel pain for 18 months and finally it went away within one month of antibiotics.

I got a LOT of relief by taping my foot using special stretch tape. If you go on youtube and search for "how to tape plantar fasciitis" you will find instructions on which tape to buy and how to tape the foot. It is almost immediate relief to tape your foot properly.

Good luck,
Susie