Hello,
I see that no one's posted in a good while; I hope there's still someone around to read this...
Flat feet run in my family and I also have the great luck to overpronate while walking. I'm just about 50, and have been dealing with chronic inflammation of the tendons inside my right heel, just in front of the achilles. I have used custom orthotics for years, now wear nothing but a good pair of Nike running shoes. My podiatrist has, over the past couple of years, given me 3 lidocaine injections which last about 8 months or so; since I have only 1 kidney, I'm not allowed to take oral NSAIDS, thus the injections.
I'm normally very active, but this latest bout of pain has me seriously sidelined. I decided to see an orthopedist, since my podiatrist doesn't seem to offer much other than continue to inject me and make me a new pair of orthotics every year. When I saw the ortho 2 weeks ago, the pain inside heel was so severe, he gave me an aircast and told me to use it for the next 6 weeks, and try to limit my walking as much as possible. I had a week off from work for the holidays, and it does feel better when I stay off my feet, but it's very frustrating. I hobble downstairs to the basement (one step at a time) and lift weights to at least feel like I'm doing SOMETHING, and I've been doing what little hamstring and quad exercises can be done while lying down or seated. To be quite honest, I'm worried that this condition is going to leave me permanently disabled; I'm seeing the ortho again at the end of January. I should also mention that I regularly ice the area, and I've tried taping and wrapping, also, which the orthopedist thinks is a waste of time. The ortho also said that I should not have any more injections because it could cause a tendon rupture.
I don't know if I will ever be pain free, but I'm guessing that I will no longer be able to go for my 3 mile walks or use the elliptical walking machine. Right now, I keeping myself off our Lifecyle, because i just want this to heal as quickly as possible. Thank god I'm a swimmer and will still, eventually be able to do that. When I return to work tomorrow, I will be using crutches to get from the parking lot to our building, anything to try and get this inflammation to calm down. I've also considered trying accupuncture to help deal with the chronic inflammation.
I noticed some kind of sport orthotic with a heel counter sold on this website, but I'm a little leery about buying something like that without being able to see and try it first.
Are there any other suggestions you might have? Am I doomed to hobble around on a crutch for the rest of my life now? Is there some surgery that can fix this? My mother keeps saying, "I don't understand why you have so many foot problems, we all have flat feet and none of the rest of us have these problems". But then, none of the rest of my siblings have ever been as active as I have, so that's probably why....
This really sucks, big time! Talk about a great way to start the new year! help, please, someone!!
--Caroline
Full Version: Chronic Tendonitis
I am still checking the post regularly and it has been too quite.
the location of your heel pain is it between your Achilles and the bone of is it more medial towards posterior tib tendon?
If it more around your heel the I would recomend heel lifts or shoes with a wedge or 1" heel and see if that affects your pain. If you get relief from a heel lift you should know in about 2-3 days of wearing. Then continue to ear for 2-3 weeks then gradually lower the heel.
All the while light stretching your calves. Straiten your leg and lift the your toes towards your nose until you feel a light stretch in your calf or bottom of foot hold for 60-90 seconds and do this 3-5 times a day.
Let me know how you do
the location of your heel pain is it between your Achilles and the bone of is it more medial towards posterior tib tendon?
If it more around your heel the I would recomend heel lifts or shoes with a wedge or 1" heel and see if that affects your pain. If you get relief from a heel lift you should know in about 2-3 days of wearing. Then continue to ear for 2-3 weeks then gradually lower the heel.
All the while light stretching your calves. Straiten your leg and lift the your toes towards your nose until you feel a light stretch in your calf or bottom of foot hold for 60-90 seconds and do this 3-5 times a day.
Let me know how you do
the location of your heel pain is it between your Achilles and the bone of is it more medial towards posterior tib tendon?
You know the bone on the outer side of foot, ankle bone? The pain is just below, slightly down from there, in that little valley between the bone and the heel. It's not really near the actual heel.
If it more around your heel the I would recomend heel lifts or shoes with a wedge or 1" heel and see if that affects your pain. If you get relief from a heel lift you should know in about 2-3 days of wearing. Then continue to ear for 2-3 weeks then gradually lower the heel.
Can't wear shoes with heels, no good, very painful. My days of wearing heels are gone....
All the while light stretching your calves. Straiten your leg and lift the your toes towards your nose until you feel a light stretch in your calf or bottom of foot hold for 60-90 seconds and do this 3-5 times a day.
Yes, i've been trying to stretch a bit, by doing a standing wall stretch for hamstring.
Let me know how you do
[/quote]
The bone landmarks on the sides of the foot that are most noticeable are the malleolis the outside that is lateral pointing away from the other foot.
If your pain is below that landmark my concern is your heel is turned outward and the bones are rubbing. Your orthotic might not be controlling your heel. Have you heard a UCBL.
Your foot are calf are also important to stretch along with the rest of you.
Hope this helps
UCBL Shoe Insert
(University of California Biomechanics Laboratory Shoe Insert)
(University of California Berkeley Laboratory Shoe Insert)
General Description:
The UCBL (or UCB) shoe insert is a maximum-control foot orthosis that was named after the laboratory where it was researched and developed. It was developed in 1967 at the University of California Biomechanics Laboratory, which is sometimes referred to as the University of California Berkeley Laboratory.
The UCBL foot orthosis is used to stabilize a flexible foot deformity, which in most cases is a flexible flat foot. The UCBL differs from other foot orthoses in that it fully encompasses the heel with a molded heel cup which in turn holds the heel, or hind foot, in a neutral, vertical position. While correcting and holding the heel in a neutral position, the UCBL also controls the inside arch of the foot and the outside border of the forefoot. These three corrective forces keep the foot held in a neutral position.
It is very important to understand that the foot must be flexible enough to be held in a neutral position comfortably. If the foot deformity is rigid, the UCBL will be very uncomfortable if used to try to correct the deformity. If the foot is rigid, the UCBL is made to the shape of the foot and the goal is to prevent further deformity.
The UCBL is made out of a rigid material, usually plastic, that is molded over a replica of the foot that is created by casting the foot. The foot section of the insert usually ends behind the toes by the ball of the foot. This allows for a natural rollover motion at the toes when walking. If a full footplate is necessary, a strap may be added across the top of the foot to hold the heel within the UCBL.
The UCBL ends just below the anklebones. Because of this design, the UCBL is not seen outside of the shoe. The best shoes to accommodate the UCBL are basic “gym shoes” or walking shoes with laces or Velcro. The UCBL does not work well with dress shoes or sandals.
If your pain is below that landmark my concern is your heel is turned outward and the bones are rubbing. Your orthotic might not be controlling your heel. Have you heard a UCBL.
Your foot are calf are also important to stretch along with the rest of you.
Hope this helps
UCBL Shoe Insert
(University of California Biomechanics Laboratory Shoe Insert)
(University of California Berkeley Laboratory Shoe Insert)
General Description:
The UCBL (or UCB) shoe insert is a maximum-control foot orthosis that was named after the laboratory where it was researched and developed. It was developed in 1967 at the University of California Biomechanics Laboratory, which is sometimes referred to as the University of California Berkeley Laboratory.
The UCBL foot orthosis is used to stabilize a flexible foot deformity, which in most cases is a flexible flat foot. The UCBL differs from other foot orthoses in that it fully encompasses the heel with a molded heel cup which in turn holds the heel, or hind foot, in a neutral, vertical position. While correcting and holding the heel in a neutral position, the UCBL also controls the inside arch of the foot and the outside border of the forefoot. These three corrective forces keep the foot held in a neutral position.
It is very important to understand that the foot must be flexible enough to be held in a neutral position comfortably. If the foot deformity is rigid, the UCBL will be very uncomfortable if used to try to correct the deformity. If the foot is rigid, the UCBL is made to the shape of the foot and the goal is to prevent further deformity.
The UCBL is made out of a rigid material, usually plastic, that is molded over a replica of the foot that is created by casting the foot. The foot section of the insert usually ends behind the toes by the ball of the foot. This allows for a natural rollover motion at the toes when walking. If a full footplate is necessary, a strap may be added across the top of the foot to hold the heel within the UCBL.
The UCBL ends just below the anklebones. Because of this design, the UCBL is not seen outside of the shoe. The best shoes to accommodate the UCBL are basic “gym shoes” or walking shoes with laces or Velcro. The UCBL does not work well with dress shoes or sandals.
OK, thanks. I'll give this info to my orthopedist when I see him again on January 29.
--cja
--cja
Hello,
When I saw the orthopedist a few weeks ago, my foot was not as painful after being in the aircast for 6 weeks. He more or less just told me to come back if it bothered me again; he also said I was free to resume all exercise, but I KNEW that would be foolish. I've been having accupuncture treatments with limited success. I mentioned to the ortho about the UCLA orthotice you'd mentioned, and he said that it would be too rigid and uncomfortable for me. Now my pain is persisting; when I try to wean myself off of the aircast, by the end of the day, the tendons in that foot are hot, the foot's throbbing, and it's difficult to put weight on it. I made an appt for a 3rd opinion, a 2nd podiatrist who came highly recommended, and I will again ask him about the orthotics you recommend. I'm at a point now where I am so discouraged; yesterday I tried to ride our stationary bike, but had to quit after 20 minutes, because the foot was so sore.
I'll also ask the new doctor this, but I'm wondering if you can tell me, what kind of surgery is done for this problem, what are the risk/benefits of surgery, and how effective is it? Years ago, when my phys therapist warned me not to have knee surgery, it all came down to a quality of life question; I had the surgery and, while I'll never go running again, I'd consider it a success. I now have to ask myself, again, about the quality of life. Obviously, I don't want to go from the frying pan into the fire, as we say here, but I feel that I'm too young to be so disabled and in constant pain. This is no way to live!
--CJ
When I saw the orthopedist a few weeks ago, my foot was not as painful after being in the aircast for 6 weeks. He more or less just told me to come back if it bothered me again; he also said I was free to resume all exercise, but I KNEW that would be foolish. I've been having accupuncture treatments with limited success. I mentioned to the ortho about the UCLA orthotice you'd mentioned, and he said that it would be too rigid and uncomfortable for me. Now my pain is persisting; when I try to wean myself off of the aircast, by the end of the day, the tendons in that foot are hot, the foot's throbbing, and it's difficult to put weight on it. I made an appt for a 3rd opinion, a 2nd podiatrist who came highly recommended, and I will again ask him about the orthotics you recommend. I'm at a point now where I am so discouraged; yesterday I tried to ride our stationary bike, but had to quit after 20 minutes, because the foot was so sore.
I'll also ask the new doctor this, but I'm wondering if you can tell me, what kind of surgery is done for this problem, what are the risk/benefits of surgery, and how effective is it? Years ago, when my phys therapist warned me not to have knee surgery, it all came down to a quality of life question; I had the surgery and, while I'll never go running again, I'd consider it a success. I now have to ask myself, again, about the quality of life. Obviously, I don't want to go from the frying pan into the fire, as we say here, but I feel that I'm too young to be so disabled and in constant pain. This is no way to live!
--CJ
The acronym is UCBL it is very common to mess that one up especially when people the medical profession reduce it to UCB also the the acronym is not meaning full (University of California Berkley Laboratory).
Another Type of orthosis is SMO(Supra Malalor Orthosis). All in they are rigid. As to being uncomfortable that depends on you, your symptoms and who makes and fits them. I have made several for people that have no complaints and use them every day but I do try to avoid using them for the same reasons your Doctor gave you.
Consult with an ABC Certified Orthotist or an ABC Certified Pedorthist abcop.org to find one near you.
Have them show what they think are your options and then discuss it with your Doctor.
As to surgery that is out side of my scope of practice. I mostly see unsuccessful results because people with successful results don't usually come in to see me. ALL in all I think you followed the right path with your knee and had a good out come. With your foot I would recomend that before you consider surgery that you are allowed to try an Orthosis that some professional who has seen you recommends.
Thank you for continuing this thread
Take Care
Another Type of orthosis is SMO(Supra Malalor Orthosis). All in they are rigid. As to being uncomfortable that depends on you, your symptoms and who makes and fits them. I have made several for people that have no complaints and use them every day but I do try to avoid using them for the same reasons your Doctor gave you.
Consult with an ABC Certified Orthotist or an ABC Certified Pedorthist abcop.org to find one near you.
Have them show what they think are your options and then discuss it with your Doctor.
As to surgery that is out side of my scope of practice. I mostly see unsuccessful results because people with successful results don't usually come in to see me. ALL in all I think you followed the right path with your knee and had a good out come. With your foot I would recomend that before you consider surgery that you are allowed to try an Orthosis that some professional who has seen you recommends.
Thank you for continuing this thread
Take Care
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