About 3 months ago the right heel pain resolved. The left has not. I am seeing my second podiatrist. I have the custom hard inserts I keep in my shoes.
Dr Blake's comment: This is the time to critically evaluate each treatment avenue/modality and possibly make changes. The orthotic goal for patients with heel pain is to transfer the weight into the arch and cushion/float the heel. Do you feel this is being accomplished? If not, see if they can be altered or remade. This is called protective weight bearing and every step you take can be used to make the heel better if done right.
I have had my heel injection 3 times by the second podiatrist this year. Helps some but seems to "wear" off and return to pain. 2 times the year before with absolutely no relief which is why it took me a year to finally go again.
Dr Blake's comment: Cortisone shots can be crucial if there is heel bursitis, but it is a mixed bag with plantar fasciitis. You really do not want to inject the plantar fascia itself, so you have to inject under it (and gravity actually pulls the cortisone away from the fascia) limiting its effectiveness.
Wears a night splint but not all time because I didn't feel like it was making a difference.
Dr Blake's comment: If you have the classic morning soreness from from plantar fasciitis, the night splints should do wonders if the plantar fascia is tight. When there is minimal results with the night splint, you either do not have plantar fasciitis, your fascia is just not tight, or it is the wrong type of splint (I like the ones where the heel is enclosed and the toes are not bent up).
Can't take antiinflammatory long. They hurt my stomach.
Dr Blake's comment: You can use celebrex which is milder on the stomach with or without cytotec. Or, you can use topical Voltaren 1.3% gel or flector patches. Any anti-inflammatory drug, no matter the application, should be done on a 5 day on 2 day off routine, or 10 day on 4 day off routine, to rest the body and prevent some of the side-effects. You typically have to ice more on the days you are not using the medication.
Oral steroids may help a little but I know I cant always take them.
Dr Blake's comment: I love an 8 day Prednisone burst to knock out inflammation. See my blog post on that. It is especially good in chronic situations, or acute flares. But, it can also be very diagnostic when it works or does not work. It is for inflammation, but does not help the mechanical or neuropathic aspects of the pain.
Have been in a walking boot for 6 weeks. That didn't help any.
Dr Blake's comment: This is where I would need more info. When you were in the boot, were you 100% pain free. Plantar fasciitis feels great in the boot, plantar heel bursitis may hurt more in the boot. The problem with boots and heel pain is that your heel stays down longer than normal walking, thus increasing the normal pressure on the heel. But, the boots allow you to roll through, not bending the toes at push off, and thus not irritating the plantar fascia. I guess you can see that success or failure with any of these treatments can help us fine tune what is going on and how to fix it.
Have used heel cups. Good shoes that are known for stability. Have heel Spurs to both feet. But as a nurse practitioner I understand it is not the spur itself causing the pain. I have wore straps around my ankles that allowed me to strap my foot.
Dr Blake's comment: Does the strapping help? Typically works well with plantar fasciitis. And yes, the spur does not cause pain!!!
I do work 6 days a week for the most part with one to two of those days 12 hours.
Dr Blake's comment: I do not have to tell you that working that much can decrease your immune system's ability to heal. Have you had a workup on your ability to heal? Are there other problems that have been slow at healing? Are you always fatigued or have other systemic signs/symptoms?
I am so frustrated that I cannot make this resolve and wondered if you might have any suggestions on what to do. I would love to be able to walk from the time that I get up til bedtime with no pain. I want to be able to walk run and I cannot. My feet get so sore and it is difficult to walk. Once I get walking it will settle some but will be even worse when I sit or sleep. I am suppose to visit the podiatrist again Monday to consider a 4th injection. Thank you again for any comments you may can give
Dr Blake's comment: I would suggest no more shots until you get an MRI. You could have a slight tear in the plantar fascia that cortisone can make worse. Even if you have to self pay for a Rearfoot MRI without contrast, it would be worth it. Hope this helps you in some way.
Helen (name changed)
Tennessee
Dr Blake's comment: Cortisone shots can be crucial if there is heel bursitis, but it is a mixed bag with plantar fasciitis. You really do not want to inject the plantar fascia itself, so you have to inject under it (and gravity actually pulls the cortisone away from the fascia) limiting its effectiveness.
Wears a night splint but not all time because I didn't feel like it was making a difference.
Dr Blake's comment: If you have the classic morning soreness from from plantar fasciitis, the night splints should do wonders if the plantar fascia is tight. When there is minimal results with the night splint, you either do not have plantar fasciitis, your fascia is just not tight, or it is the wrong type of splint (I like the ones where the heel is enclosed and the toes are not bent up).
Can't take antiinflammatory long. They hurt my stomach.
Dr Blake's comment: You can use celebrex which is milder on the stomach with or without cytotec. Or, you can use topical Voltaren 1.3% gel or flector patches. Any anti-inflammatory drug, no matter the application, should be done on a 5 day on 2 day off routine, or 10 day on 4 day off routine, to rest the body and prevent some of the side-effects. You typically have to ice more on the days you are not using the medication.
Oral steroids may help a little but I know I cant always take them.
Dr Blake's comment: I love an 8 day Prednisone burst to knock out inflammation. See my blog post on that. It is especially good in chronic situations, or acute flares. But, it can also be very diagnostic when it works or does not work. It is for inflammation, but does not help the mechanical or neuropathic aspects of the pain.
Have been in a walking boot for 6 weeks. That didn't help any.
Dr Blake's comment: This is where I would need more info. When you were in the boot, were you 100% pain free. Plantar fasciitis feels great in the boot, plantar heel bursitis may hurt more in the boot. The problem with boots and heel pain is that your heel stays down longer than normal walking, thus increasing the normal pressure on the heel. But, the boots allow you to roll through, not bending the toes at push off, and thus not irritating the plantar fascia. I guess you can see that success or failure with any of these treatments can help us fine tune what is going on and how to fix it.
Have used heel cups. Good shoes that are known for stability. Have heel Spurs to both feet. But as a nurse practitioner I understand it is not the spur itself causing the pain. I have wore straps around my ankles that allowed me to strap my foot.
Dr Blake's comment: Does the strapping help? Typically works well with plantar fasciitis. And yes, the spur does not cause pain!!!
I do work 6 days a week for the most part with one to two of those days 12 hours.
Dr Blake's comment: I do not have to tell you that working that much can decrease your immune system's ability to heal. Have you had a workup on your ability to heal? Are there other problems that have been slow at healing? Are you always fatigued or have other systemic signs/symptoms?
I am so frustrated that I cannot make this resolve and wondered if you might have any suggestions on what to do. I would love to be able to walk from the time that I get up til bedtime with no pain. I want to be able to walk run and I cannot. My feet get so sore and it is difficult to walk. Once I get walking it will settle some but will be even worse when I sit or sleep. I am suppose to visit the podiatrist again Monday to consider a 4th injection. Thank you again for any comments you may can give
Dr Blake's comment: I would suggest no more shots until you get an MRI. You could have a slight tear in the plantar fascia that cortisone can make worse. Even if you have to self pay for a Rearfoot MRI without contrast, it would be worth it. Hope this helps you in some way.
Helen (name changed)
Tennessee
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Thank you very much for leaving a comment. Due to my time restraints, some comments may not be answered.I will answer questions that I feel will help the community as a whole.. I can only answer medical questions in a general form. No specific answers can be given. Please consult a podiatrist, therapist, orthopedist, or sports medicine physician in your area for specific questions.