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Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Mattrmvpd

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 30, 2004
1,305
378
South Georgia
Ok... Let me describe this the BEST that I can and HOPEFULLY someone can give me some ideas.

Its a severe sharp pain in the heel of my right foot. The Doc says PLANTAR FASCIITIS...

There is NO bone spur according to Xrays...

Heres the kicker even though I am FULLY covered under State Insurance with my Govt job... they do NOT cover any orthopedic inserts that could be made to correct this... and TRUST ME it is VERY EXPENSIVE.

I am curious if ANYONE has had this type of issue and what you did to get it to go away.

Its severe enough now that I CANT run and in the mornings it is VERY sore.

Thanks guys for all the help.

Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.)
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I had that once, went to a foot orthopedic specialist. I got a shot of steroids into the heel (not a "gentle" shot), took three weeks of Celebrex, wore these gel shoe inserts (Yes, they sold them to me at $100) and it healed completely by 3 weeks.
I have heard horrors of this condition lasting for years, so I was pretty happy my bout was brief. Its a pretty nasty pain isn't it? It usually happens to people that are either overweight or have to walk on hard, non-cushioned surfaces like VCT or concrete alot.
BTW The risk with the steroid shot is that it theoretically can cause a tear in a ligament, but my pain level at the time was such I was willing to take the risk, and I was glad I did.
I have no doubt the inserts helped, and certainly prevented recurrence, but the steroid shot and the Celebrex together I think were key.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Matt
I have had it for years. Both feet.
It is the worst when awakening and arising. As I walk around it gets better. But never goes away.
I have had the shots and I considered a planter fascia release where the fascia is cut, but decided against it.
What has helped more than anything is stretching. Doing stretches specific for the foot and Achilles tendon. Like a runners stretch where you lean against a wall and push the heel down.
I stand most of the day, on covered concrete floors and although I wear good shoes (Clarkes) I still have days where I limp a bit early on.
Try stretching 2 or three times a day.
Good luck
Dave
 
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Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

It is extremely painfull. I contribute it to my Foot Patrol days with the CITY PD about 6 yrs ago. Crappy issued boots and walking on midnights in the complexes.

Any ways... I NOT completley out of shape at 34... I am 6ft and 168 lbs... I am just trying to get back to HARD running/Cross training and Basketball for a little activity... but DAMN!!! my right heel is a painful bitch.

I will give this all a try... Just got a text from a buddy here that said he saw some night time orthopedic that stretches the foot at the local pharmacy... I will swing by and give it a shot..

Thanks,
Matt.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Switch to barefoot or minimalist running. Go barefoot as often as possible.

My wife and I both had it, and when we did what I described above, it went away very quickly. Your feet are weak, custom supports will make them weaker. They'll fix it short term, but make it worse in the long term.

We tried all the stretching stuff and bought some pricey inserts, all of which gave only temporary relief. Seriously, take off your shoes.

Read the Vibram five finger thread here for more info.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

LISTEN TO TIM K! I too had PF when training for a marathon and did the custom orthotic thing. I discovered the more I ran with orthotics and in ever increasing cushioned shoes with enormous heel counters, my feet actually got weaker. I finally quit distance running when I developed lower back disc compression.

A couple of years ago I read some articles on barefoot and minimalist running and bought a pair of Brooks cross country competition shoes (spikeless). After a couple of weeks of discomfort as my calves stretched out and my feet got stronger, I noticed no more pain, no stress in my (high) arches, better posture, etc., etc.

Be sure you are doing the basic RICE routine - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Ice frequently when you are feeling pain. Sleep with an Ace bandage or slip on brace that compresses the fascia. Stretch. When you are healed, work on strengthening those feet.
 
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Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Well there is a place in town where I live that sells the VIBRAM shoes.. I will be getting a pair this weekend and trying them out.

Thanks
Matt.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Matt
I have had it for years. Both feet.
It is the worst when awakening and arising. As I walk around it gets better. But never goes away.
I have had the shots and I considered a planter fascia release where the fascia is cut, but decided against it.
What has helped more than anything is stretching. Doing stretches specific for the foot and Achilles tendon. Like a runners stretch where you lean against a wall and push the heel down.
I stand most of the day, on covered concrete floors and although I wear good shoes (Clarkes) I still have days where I limp a bit early on.
Try stretching 2 or three times a day.
Good luck
Dave</div></div>
This is identical to my own condition. Have had it going on one year or maybe a little more. The mornings are a BITCH. Getting out of bed for the first time feels like I am walking on broken feet. I have a high tolerance for pain (don't even use Novocain for fillings and a root canal) but it is no fun.

I am going to give the Vibrams a try also. I need to get a new pair of work boots also. Just two weeks ago when I was diagnosed with it the doctor put me on Ibuprofen 800's one at bedtime and it does seem to be helping.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I've had both arch pain and achillies pain as a result of several rugby injuries that I did not re-hab properly. Mornings are the worst!

My movement patterns were so f-ed up - my calf was weak, so I used my achilies as a spring to push off - not good.

The point being, a good chiropractor and a physical therapist identified my gait problems and weak muscles and after a lot of work and focus, I'm mostly balanced in my movement patterns and the pain is gone...
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I have gotten a LOT of relief with a stretching exercise suggested to me by a Podiatrist. I have an old, wood straight back chair in my bedroom. Each morning I spend about five minutes doing this stretch: face the chair, place the sore foot on the chair (most of your weight is now on the other foot, flat on the floor), grasp the top of the chair back with your hands,lean into the chair (flex the toes on the sore foot, bend the knee above the sore foot), SLOWLY transfer most of your weight onto the sore foot while bending the ankle at a sharp angle(when done correctly, you will feel a tightening of the achilles tendon behind the ankle up the back of the calf above the sore foot). Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds, then relax and put most of your weight back on the foot on the floor. Repeat as many times as you can for five minutes.

This explanation took a lot longer than the exercise...I hope it is understood ok, you will feel the the "burn" in your ankle and the back of your lower leg. I perform this exercise each morning as soon as I get out of bed. It has really reduced the pain in my foot...I can actually walk and run like a "normal" human being again (almost:))!
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I have had P.F. several times. What they say is true about the stretching. I went to a Podiatrist and got the Cortazone shots and anti-inflamatory. It helped but the stretches the Podiatrist gave me helped the most. I put inserts in my shoes/boots also. With the rash of tornadoes in Chatt. the past weeks I have been in my turnout gear and boots quite a bit in the 24 hr shifts. It has come back (P.F.)because of the boots and they suck. I am back to the stretches and it is easing up some. You can do the stretches at any time. Good Luck, That Shit Hurts...
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I have been doing ALOT more stretching over the last couple of days and it does seem to help.

I DID try on a pair of the VIBRAMS and I WILL be picking them up on saturday morning.

They were VERY comfy and after about 5 mins of walking around in the store my heel soreness was GONE!!! Everyone is right in that they force you to walk more on the ball of your foot. Its different but VERY relieving for my pain.

Matt.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Go here, read up:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zenkutsu_dachi

Bend the front knee to the point you can not see your front toes, straighten the back leg out tight.

Much like a runners stance, except this one is used to launch a hard punch, or a front kick - but it's a GREAT stretching position as well.


Do that 5 times a day for 3 minutes per side and your problem may go away in a week or two. or maybe sooner.

 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Matt,

I've had PF in both my feet and it's by far the most stubborn exercise related injury I've dealt with.

Both times, I tried stretching, icing etc to no avail. Both times, I finally went to a podiatrist that specializes in running injuries and had prescription orthotic inserts built. Both times they did the trick.

I don't know the specifics of your insurance, but it sounds like you have good coverage. I'm very suprised it won't pay for prescription orthotics prescribed by a podiatrist. Don't go to a therapist who mashes your foot into a box of foam to get your orthotics. A podiatrist will take a plaster cast of your foot and write a prescription for their production. A good podiatrist who knows what he/she's doing can definitely help you.

Good luck to you! I still remember the pain and frustration P/F causes.

David
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

PF is due to excess tension on the plantar fascia where it attaches to the calcaneus (heel bone) It connects the calcaneus to the MT-P joints (ball of the foot) and helps to maintain your arch. It resembles the string on a bow. If you pull up on one end of the bow you stretch the string. The most common cause of this stretch is tightness to the Achilles - stretching the Achilles usually relieves the problem. Since the Achilles is attached to the gastroc and the gastroc is a two part muscle, you must stretch both parts to improve flexibility. I usually have my patient stretch at a minimum of three times daily for the first two weeks, just to accelerate improvement in the flexibility department. Other therapy is helpful - anti inflammatories are hit or miss. Occasionally, one can have a nerve entrapment (tarsal tunnel syndrome) along the inside of the ankle that will mimic plantar fasciitis and is oftentimes not diagnosed. Injections help in recalcitrant cases - and surgery can be the court of last resort. The spur that is oftentimes seen on Xray is not the problem, but merely a sign that there has been chronic tightness to the fascia itself. Not a fun problem, but treatable. In our clinic, we don't often find that orthotics are very helpful - ymmv. Good luck - these aren't fun problems.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

check if your insurance plan covers physical therapy...i've been using orthotics n believe in them...but i went to therapy and discovered a few stretches and exercises that seemed to work for me...BTW, i have gov insurance as well n my plan covered orthotics prescribed by my podiatrist -- one pair every two years...maybe look into changing plans if its an option for u...these types of injuries seem to lurk for years...good luck!
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Got see a foot doctor. If your plantar fascitis is real bad, you might need a cortisone injection in your foot. One usually does the job. Then have them refer you to a podiatrist who can fit you with a set of custom orthotics. Also ask for a referral to a physical therapist who can recommend stretching and other exercises. Last step is to go to professional running shoe store, have them evaluate your gait and foot shape and recommend the appropriate type of shoe.

Sounds involved, but once you do this, you'll probably never have any foot issues again.

Good luck!
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

If you are like me, you probably plant your heel as you walk. I have to make sure that ALL my shoes, usually tennis shoes now, have good arch support and that they make my foot run "down hill" from heel to balls of the feet. It tends to put more weight on the balls of my feet, therefore relieving some of the pressure on my heels. From the Marines to wearing boots on the job, at least up until about five years ago, my heels took a beating too. I don't have to hobble out of bed any more due to buying and wearing good tennis shoes all the time. JMHO.
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Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I had the PF real bad about a year and a half ago. I started stretching morning, afternoons and evenings, it helped a bit. Then I got a cortisone shot, and it too helped a bit. Then I read somewhere about putting a can under my foot and rolling it from heel to toe with a bunch of pressure, felt like gravel in the heel, try to break the gravel up, that helped a bit more. Finally, I started forefoot striking when running and alas, alomost one year with very minimal pain and absolutely no shin pains anymore as well.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I say the stretching helps the most. I work in a manufacturing enviroment where everyone is on concrete all day and we see PF alot. I've seen everything prescribed from the shots to inserts and stretching. The stretching seems to help most people but all 3 for some. One of the best stretches is to stand on the edge of a step ,toes pointed toward the front of step and lower your heel down over the edge of it,basically standing on you toes on the edge of the step and lower your foot over the edge. All of the stretchs recommend on here will help.Hope this helps
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

From experience I will tell you this.
DO NOT let this go long without getting treatment. Take the shots and, buy the ortho inserts (Yes, I know they are expensive). Also, use the ice and do not go barefoot at all. You will need to rest the feet more as well. It hurts like hell and will only get worse if you don't fix it now.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Once educated via yourself, since you know your body the best, talk to several Chiros/Phys Thers - see who matches what you and your common sense coupled to a basic understanding......... try to network through some Docs/Nurses who know a Surgeon/Specialist who is an Athlete. They may be better suited to give you proper guidance.

Family has gone through it - and still deal with it. Although a combination of the items listed by those above and these below have helped a lot. The trick is to find what works for you.

Immediate - orthos or at least gel inserts, even in good shoes to help. Massage, Stretching and salt water soaking/epsom salt in hot water, ie heat treating. Could try doing HOT/Cold soaks that alternate every 10mins for x amount of time. That could flush the area and help.

Therapy, wearing an isolation booty at night/during the day when able, therapy, and even talking to a respected Homeopathic Chiro.......

From my Surgeon/Medical friends = if anyone wants to cut you open and fix you right away - Run. The ankle and heel are extremely touchy areas to hack on, especially when you either have a lifestyle that is active and/or a job that depends on mobility.


Just my Opins - but I have the great fortune of having friends in the medical realm who have taken care of my injuries. I hope you can find a few that will listen and give you proper guidance.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

It's been a long time since I was on these forums...even had to re-register with my old user name....

Anyway, I went through the plantar fasciitis thing too. I basically just ran less because it hurt. Then I read Born to Run. I don't recommend anything unless it was personally useful to me. (To date I recommend only Abita Beer, 12V Cummins diesel engines, and now the book Born to Run. My recommendation is basically a guarantee.) Read the book and it'll change your view of how and why to run regardless of your personal beliefs.

The best thing I know to tell you is to read the book before you spent the untold number of dollars on the orthotic devices. (< $10 for the book vs $500+ for the other route....?) At the very least it WILL change your perspective if you take a scientific look at the evidence.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

PT is best long-term solution.
I had this a while ago, very painful. went to PT. Used icing (roll frozen bottle under foot), stretching, strengthening of toes (crunch towel up), calf lifts, and rolling a small ball under foot to stretch out the sole of the foot. It is completely cured now. I can also recommend Born to Run...

avoid inserts or injections or babying your foot - wrong way to go.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I had PF pretty bad once. It was very painfull and getting worse by the day. Got it from walkin/running on shoes with poor support. Crappy issue Army boots and running shoes with too flexible of a sole.

The cure was a set of <span style="font-weight: bold">Superfeet insoles </span>, the green version. Fixed the PF within a week. They feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but that is just the insoles correcting the way your foot moves when you step.

I found them to be a fast, inexpensive, and easy fix.

You can find Superfeet at pharmacies or at online retailers.

Can't recomend them enough, they work amazingly well.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Switch to barefoot or minimalist running. Go barefoot as often as possible.

My wife and I both had it, and when we did what I described above, it went away very quickly. Your feet are weak, custom supports will make them weaker. They'll fix it short term, but make it worse in the long term.

We tried all the stretching stuff and bought some pricey inserts, all of which gave only temporary relief. Seriously, take off your shoes.

Read the Vibram five finger thread here for more info. </div></div>

Another option is the Merrell Barefoot. I've had both and find the Merrell a lot more comfortable. Also, search YouTube for "Pose Running." Get away from the heel striking and it'll help a lot. Both the VFFs and Merrell's will let you know when you are heel striking.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I had PF, and sought help from two podiatrists. One taped my feet and charged me $250.00, and the other wanted to operate and give me steroid injections. I have an aversion to injections and surgical procedures so, I delayed in letting him do either of these procedures. Then I ran into a former Navy Corpsman who I used to know, and he recommended taking larger does of Ibuprofen and deep massages to my heels so that I broke up the scar tissue. He recommended that I really dig deeply into the scar tissue with my thumbs. I did this and within two weeks my PF resolved itself. I would recommend reading up on taking large amounts of Ibuprofen, it can be dangerous, but it did not create any problems for me.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I have orthotics and my insurance doesn't cover them either, but for me they were a MUST. If I wear them...zero pain...if not, after a few hours...pain. I stretch my calfs constantly as this helps stretch out the tendon and helps my PF. I've had my orthotics for over 15 years and love them. When you try on any shoes sneakers, etc. make sure you try them on with the orthotics as not all shoes, boots etc. will fit well with them.runner
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

WOW crazy topic this just started going on with me a couple of weeks ago, just the right heel hurts like a bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in am and after rest trying to do the stretching thing, seems to help.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

I have been dealing with PF. I recently got custom orthodics, and just got my second shot. How long are the shots good for? I think I am going to try some of the things found in this thread.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

My PF completely went away after 2 weeks of running in my 5 fingers on the grass track. My spondy and herniated L5-S1 have not flared up either.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Correct running technique (POSE) is done by using the forefront of
the foot and having the foot always land under center of mass
Unlike marathon runners who heel strike
and have two opposing forces slamming together (foot vs concrete)which actually slows a person down and causes injuries

POSE Method

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Anyways run a Golfball under your arch (front to back) for 2mins
then ice for 2mins do this for 10min total.
Do it everyday till it goes away it shouldnt take long.
Do it more then once a day if youd like just dont drive the ball
in too hard dont want to bruise your foot.

You will need to use orthodics untill it goes away.
Dr Scholls from the grocery store or walgreens will work just fine.

I got mine from doing Olympic Lifts I slammed my right
heel down.
I used the golfball and ice and just put the orthodic in my
OLift shoes and I was still able to train without skipping a day. Running during workouts was no problem either since I run correctly. I still used the orthodics in my running shoes (INOV8's) till it was totally gone just to be safe.


AL
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Mine is in both feet.This was done by ankle twisting falling in a hole.Very painful and had injections into the feet enough to make you wince cause it hurts in the center.Streaching and ice it's a lifetime injury never goes away.Wear good boots above your ankel and buy the inserts mine at the doc's were 40 and helped greatly.Stop running for now you'll make it worse.This is a tourture method to beat your feet with a steel rod so you can't run or walk.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Had it in both feet before I retired; Blue Cross Blue Shield paid all but about $50.00 for the orthotic's and that made it go away. They got lost and I went to Wally World and and got on the machine you see on TV and got a set for about $50.00 and I think they're as good as the mega buck ones that were hand made by the Doctor. If you like going barefoot in the summer Birkenstock sandals have really high arch supports and work very well for me. That was some of the worst pain I ever endured while working. The foot doctor also told me that any type of tennis or running shoe lost it's support in about six months if worn daily.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Tried the podiatrist, tried the inserts, couldn't stand to wear them. I switched my everyday footwear to Merrell Moab Ventilators and my pain cleared up quickly. Back in the spring I also got a pair of VFF's and wear those as much as possible in my free time.
 
Re: Heel/Foot Pain HELP!

Stretching of the plantar fascia is the treatment of choice.
Do it multiple times per day.
Spurs are irrelevant..many have them and are assymptomatic.
 
I would highly recommend shoes with proper arch support, Motrin and stretching, rolling foot on an ice cold beer can.

Trained XC in college, at 6'1"ft 160lbs now 200lbs and when rucking on stairclimber I get it, spend the whole time on the balls of my feet so pressure on plantar tendons and calf. For me lack of support makes it worse.

If I were you, I would swallow it, and rest for 2 weeks and stretcher and make sure your shoes are perfect. I would strongly discourage you from getting the vibrate shoes. This trend of minimalist shoes is not something you see in athletes that compete in high volume. Less support+more volume=injuries
 
Ok... Let me describe this the BEST that I can and HOPEFULLY someone can give me some ideas.

Its a severe sharp pain in the heel of my right foot. The Doc says PLANTAR FASCIITIS...

There is NO bone spur according to Xrays...

Heres the kicker even though I am FULLY covered under State Insurance with my Govt job... they do NOT cover any orthopedic inserts that could be made to correct this... and TRUST ME it is VERY EXPENSIVE.

I am curious if ANYONE has had this type of issue and what you did to get it to go away.

Its severe enough now that I CANT run and in the mornings it is VERY sore.

Thanks guys for all the help.

Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.)

Matt - my wife is a life-long runner, former collegiate athlete, and had the same exact issue. Something that has helped her is changing to a zero-drop shoe for daily wear, and the use of CBD oil. She's back to running 5ks and training on our treadmill. Diet has also been a factor; we're early-40's, and part of staying in generally good condition has been eliminating foods that encourage inflammation. A big one is nightshades. Not easy to eliminate from the diet, initially, but the reduction in inflammation is significant.
 
I know this is a Zombie thread, but if anyone else stumbles upon it with current PF: Stassburg Sock. You can get it on Amazon. It works magic. My PF was gone within a month.
 
Not a zombie thread.

I have been keeping up with it. I ended up going to a physical therapist that specializes in sports related injuries.

For about 3 months now he has used a process called the Gaviston or Gaviston tools.


It has been extremely painful but it works. I ended up waiting too long due to being stubborn and caused most of my PF to just get worse.

The Gaviston tools breaks apart the scar tissue by scraping and pressing on it with what looks like a metal spike type tool. Accupuncture is also used with electricity every few visits to help “bleed out” the area.


I know it sounds extreme....and trust me, when a friend told me they saw this doctor and what they went through, i said they were crazy.

Eventually the oain got worse and worse nonmatter what i did. I went at the beginning of this year and it was the best decision i have made. The issue basically encompassed my entire bottom side of my left foot. Now its the size of a nickel.

The doctor guarantees it will be totally gone shortly and will never come back. And.... he actually had it done to himself after getting PF while a doctor.
 
Buhlockay,

Thanks! I will check into some of their items.

I do use a boot every night that was given to me by the doctor. It does what that sock does just much bulkier.