Heel Pain

[Buster1]

I have heel spurs and walking is very painful after even a short rest. After walking for 5 to 10 min things get better,I have special insoles, several pairs, the doctor tells me there is little I can do about it, anyone know of any treatments other than cortisone shots or insoles. I read a little about ESWT and RST on the net, my doc (an MD ) knows nothing about this.

[jonathanbean189]

Makes me fear surgery. I read the med lit. and none of the things recommended have any good science behind them. Perhaps try shockwave therapy?

Like my back pain - took 11 years to go away and still on meds for life with it.

[ginger73]

I had plantar F.  I did all the treatments, physical therapy, shots, medicine, you name it, but none of it worked.  I spent a year doing that.  I had it in both feet at the same time.  I also did the night splints and orthotics.  Got the shoes everyone told me to get.  Then I had surgery 3 years ago.  But now it has come back.  Not as bad, but it's hard to walk again or stand for a period of time and I don't know what to do.

[Mary 53]

Hey, If it is plantar fasciitis just know that I feel your pain. I had never experienced anything quite like it. I had it about 7 years ago. It took about 10 months for it to completely heal. I wish I knew then what I know now.

I switched doctors after about four months because I was not getting any relief. My new doctor told me not to use the orthodics (mine were very hard plastic) and to use gel heel cups instead. I used the heel cups for both feet. I recall that the doc gave me instructions to do some exercises that involved stretching the calf muscle and heel. Friends started to tell me of how they'd heard of people getting rid of plantar faciitis quickly by doing stretching before they got out of bed....up from a chair, etc. Sounded too good to be true.

Then last year I felt that the problem was creeping up again. I don't use the heel cups any longer, and I'd been better about buying new workout/walking shoes BEFORE it was too late! During this time I was in a shoe store and I mentioned my problem with the (almost) recurring problem. The salesperson reminded me of the importance of stretching to help stop the problem before it really started. So, I just flexed my foot slowly and several times before I got out of bed (even if I was just going to be up for a moment) and also whenever I got out of a chair if I'd been sitting for awhile. Sure enough, I was able to stave off the Plantar F. problem. I saw my doctor (for an unrelated reason) and told him that I'd avoided getting it a second time. And, he just nodded when I said that the exercises saved me from another bout of this painful condition.

I realize that this may not actually stop Plantar Faciitis in it tracks for everyone and that Plantar F. can occur for many different reasons, but, I would think it could not hurt. You can check with  your doctor. If you do stretch, do it gently, of course. Best of luck to you. Mary

[Buster1]

Thanks for the advice, I am now getting ulta sound treatments from the physiologist, I will mention the night splints. I am not too overwieght , I am 6 ft and 210 lbs , -20 lbs would help.I can order new orthotics but my old ones are only 3 years old and cost about $200. I can also order special shoes for another $300. Lucky , my insurance will cover it, I would like to think that would help but it is no guarantee.

[hyepod]

Everything Googmonster said is correct.  Do you have custom made inserts, or the pre-made ones?  The custom made should do more good than the others.  You can try a night splint, which is a bulky plastic "cast" that you wear to bed.  As you sleep, it stretches the plantar fascia.  I would try everything available to you before you consider surgery.  No doctor should promise you that you'll be cured if you have a procedure done.

Hyepod (podiatrist)

[googmonster]

This sounds like classic plantar fasciitis.  You can google it for more info.

I had it for years.  Often times you have heel spurs along with it, but sometimes not.  It is more common in overweight people, or those who wear shoes that don't have enough heel support.

What I did to get rid of mine was to wear a brand of heel pads called Tuli (google those to find out where to get them).  I wore them virtually at all times.  Better than the orthotics my podiatrist fitted me with.  I also iced the sore area 4 times a day for 20 min each time, using a frozen OJ can.  Sit upright in a chair with the sore area pressing on the OJ can and roll it gently for the duration of the 20 min.  Do this RELIGIOUSLY.

Never, never go barefoot.  Lose weight if you can.  Take NSAIDs (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, etc) if your doctor says it is ok, and take them EVERY DAY, not just here or there when you are hurting.  Be sure not to take more than the recommended amount.

I did all this and it STILL took about 2 years to get rid of it.  I got it after working a whole shift wearing very thin shoes.  

Your pain sounds just classic for plantar fasciitis.  

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=144&topcategory=Foot

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic429.htm

http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/987116429.html