[Guest]

I have had achilles pain and stiffness for 8 weeks now. I stopped all regular exercise and it hasn't improved. The area just above the heel bone hurts and is stiff in the morning and again after I have sat for a period of time. I also have a large bump on the back of the heel which prevents me from wearing many types of shoes. The soft tissue on either side of the heel (over the bone) hurts to the touch.
I have seen a podiatrist and am concerned because after taking xrays of both feet he told me that i have calcium deposits at the base of the heelbone on both feet and that he wanted to give me a cortisone shot.
I have read that this can be dangerous and can cause a rupture so I refused treatment.
Have you any thoughts on the efficacy of this treatment? Is it a recommended treatment? Do I have reason to be concerned?

[Guest]

i have had those bumps on the back of my heel surgically removed once on my left foot, twice on my right -- the first time 8 years ago ... most recently nov 28, 2001. i am not a doctor, just an "experienced" patient who has done lots of research, seen lots of doctors and been through surgery twice. so take what i say as opinion/personal experience only ... one of the causes of the bumps is an overly tight achilles tendon. the tendon pulls on the back of the foot, causing the bump to grow. the tightness of the achilles is made worse b/c it then has to pull over the bump ... making it more and more sore. since the bump on my right foot came back just as bad if not worse than the first time, i decided to have the bump removed, as well as my achilles lengthened. it's been a little over 2 months now and while i'm still on the road to recovery, i can't tell you how happy i am with the surgery. my foot/achilles feels *great* for the first time in 10 or more years. while surgery is not for everyone, i must say, it was the right decision for me! if you'd like to chat more personally, you can email me at [moderator note: e-mail address has been removed]. best of luck!
I have had achilles pain and stiffness for 8 weeks now. I stopped all regular exercise and it hasn't improved...

[Guest]

i forgot to mention ... most everything i've ever read and every doctor i've ever been to (more than just a few at this point) said to NEVER have a cortisone shot in the achilles area as it weakens/damages the achilles. again, just repeating what i've been told ... not making any medical diagnosis
[quote] i have had those bumps on the back of my heel surgically removed once on my left foot, twice on my right -- the first time 8 years ago . ... [/quote]

[Guest]

Cortisone injections into the area of the achille will not decrease the calcium deposits. Therefore, if this is the reason for the injection, it is smart to be cautious. Cortisone injections can decrease bursas which may also be present around the achilles. Therefore, it is important to know exactly why the injections are recommended. If you do have calcium deposits, the only way to get rid of them is with surgery as you have heard from edie's response.
[quote] I have had achilles pain and stiffness for 8 weeks now. I stopped all regular exercise and it hasn't improved... [/quote]

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.
[quote] i forgot to mention . ... [/quote]