I began having pain in my left heel yesterday morning. Thinking it was just sore, I rubbed it, as I usually rub my feet when they bother me. I worked all day and continuously was getting up and walking around. By the end of the day, it brought tears to my eyes to put any pressure on the heel at all and there was a throbbing pain going up my left lower leg. I took some ibuprofen and elevated my foot for the evening, then went to bed. When I woke up this morning, the pain had lessened. However, I'm back at work and it is progressively getting worse, as yesterday. Any suggestions? Should I see a doctor or is it just going to relieve itself with stretching and rubbing? THANK YOU!

Well, whenever a pain persists for a few days it is a good idea to seek medical attention to rule out a more serious condition. The icing to the heels is good and you should continue doing so until you make the appointment. The Ibuprofen is find for the moment, but it should not be used continously to mask the pain. It sounds as if you could be suffering from plantar fasciitis which is a common heel complaint. The plantar fascia is a fibrous tissue which runs from the ball of the foot to the heel and can become inflammed. Most people complain of intense pain at the first step in the morning and it gradually gets better. Then some also complain of pain after periods of rest. This is considered an overuse injury so if you are on your feet for long periods of time and walk alot then it is quite possible.

I would recommend that you make an appointment so that your podiatrist can take x-rays to make sure that you are not suffering from a more serious condition. You may need some stretching exercises and orthotics. Orthotics are arch supports that can be pre-fabricated or custom made. The price ranges can be quite significant. I like the Lynco Sports orthotic for this condition. I suffered from this condition when I was in residency and used this device and have not had the pain again. You can find out more about this device by going to Foot.com and clicking on the products icon.

Foot.com Staff Member

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I wanted to post my experience with heel pain. It started over a year ago and I went to my podiatrist and at that time I was given cortizone shots directly in the heel that was bothering me. I had three of these treatments and I kept working and working on my job(which, by the way is constant standing, no sitting). Today was my surgery for endoscopic plantar fasciatomy. The surgery was ok and I have minimum pain. I waited and suffered a whole year and if I had known I could have eliminated so much pain with my surgery I would have had it months ago. Of course, the plantar ficiiatis is not always the cause of heel pain; but sometimes over abuse of a condition in the heel can just make it worse.

I am glad that the surgery seems to be providing you with some relief. Many sufferers of heel pain cna be resolved with stretching, icing, steroid injections, orthotics and physical therapy. Surgery should be deferred until conservative measures fail. Good luck and feel free to contact us again.

Foot.com Staff Member

I also have been having constant pain in my right heel since this past Tuesday, the 3rd of Feb. It gets worse as the day progresses and I don't have a job standing constantly. My job involves sitting at a computer all day mainly. I'm also having numbness and tingling, like pins and needles, on the bottom of my foot in the arch but no pain in the arch, just the bottom of the heel. Also, I have had some discomfort and a tight feeling that goes up my lower right leg into the calf. The lower leg and also the entire foot have been swelling up too as the day progresses. I have Achilles tendinitis in the left heel but this feels different from that and I haven't done anything except take pain relievers. Any ideas, except for me to go to the doctor about it?

Have you ever been diagnosed with lower back pain? Your symptoms sound like a person suffering from a radiculopathy. I know that you hate to hear this but an evaluation by your medical doctor is best in this situation. You could have a pinched nerve or even an entrapment of the nerve. Good luck and keep us posted.

Foot.com Staff Member