Heel Pain

[kgessex]

I have had an ongoing problem with my foot/heel/lower leg for a few years now but it has worsened and has been occuring more often. The pain in the heel, on the bottom, sides and back is a very sharp stabbing pain, the pain in the leg is an ache and the foot pain is both on top and on the entire bottom of the foot. The last time it got close to this bad, about a year ago, I ended up going to a prompt care clinic and was told to stay off my worst foot for as long as needed. I was given crutches which helped after about 2 weeks. The pain this time is even worse. The ER docs that work at the clinic said it might be pf, but they weren't positive. My symptoms don't totally match that. I don't have as much pain when I first wake up or after I rest, but after about an hour on my feet, I'm hurting so bad it's all I can do to stand on my right foot without it bringing me to my knees. I work in retail and am on my feet for 8 + hours a day and I do wear comfortable, well padded tennis shoes with extra support in them as well. Unfortunately, I don't have insurance and certainly can't afford dr bills, but I also can't stand this pain in my foot/heel. I can't use the crutches at the job I'm at now, so that's out of the question as I MUST work. Does anyone else have the pain after standing/walking for a short time but not nearly as bad after resting? Is this also a symptom of pf? What can I do? What has worked for anyone? I'm at my wit's end with this and just have to do SOMETHING about. Thank you for any info you can provide.

[UroDoc]

You could try orthotics or gel soles you can buy at the store and insert in your shoes.

[kgessex]

Thank you very much for your response. I have tried at least 10 different OTC inserts and so far, none have worked. I have spent quite a bit also on new shoes and with the latest pair, Nike Air, I purchased a pair of $30 inserts from the shoe store because they had the thickest padding and the best arch support I'd seen - still no luck. After going shopping today, my calf started hurting about half way up as well as the back of my heel and the bottom of the foot. This is the first time the calf has been that uncomfortable. I'm going to try taping my foot today, hopefully that will do some good.

[UroDoc]

I wonder if you have a heel spur

[kgessex]

A couple years ago when I went to the prompt care, they x-rayed the foot and asked if I'd ever been diagnosed with pf or heel spurs before (which I haven't), but said they didn't see a spur there. I had a nerve injury a few years ago due to a car accident, and I'm wondering if that may be contributing to this as that area has also given me problems ever since. However, that is on my lower leg on the inside portion above and forward of my ankle bone and doesn't hurt even nearly as bad as the foot/heel (including the back of the heel as well as the bottom) does. But maybe the injury to my lower leg changed the way I walk? No idea. My other heel is starting to hurt a little now off and on, but it's a different pain, not the extreme pain this is and I can deal with that. I personally think that one is starting to hurt now because after about an hour or so on my feet, I start to limp and that's putting extra weight/pressure on the one that's not giving me the problems. I've read that spurs don't cause pain? I'll do some searching on that and see what I can find on it. Again, thanks for the quick response and the idea of what to look at!

[Anniefoot01]

I have plantar faciitis too. I had endoscopic surgery last Aug of 2006. I got little relief. I have pain in both feet that sounds similar to your problem. I have tried gel cushions, orthotics, ice, physical therapy, differend brands of good tennis shoes, nothing works. I suggest you try the Croc brand of shoes that everyone seems to be wearing. I have bought them and they are comfortable and very roomy. Try them. They can be bought online at Crocs.com You really need to get health insurance. I know it is better said then done. Try the Crocs shoes. They really help. Good luck.

[kgessex]

Thank you so much for your reply. I actually went to z coil and got a $200 pair of shoes. I still have a few more days on their 7 day return policy, but I wouldn't return them now if my financial life depended on it. They're absolutely, positively WONDERFUL! I still have just a very tiny bit of pain in one spot on my heel, but other than that, it's almost completely better. After only two days, I noticed I was just barely limping. After the 3rd day, someone at work commented, "you aren't limping much at all today." I never would have imagined! I happened on the site while simply searching for info and possible products that might improve it. I found out I had a retail store right down the road and never knew what it was. I decided to go in and give them a test run in the store. The salesman fitted me, brought me some shoes, I tried them and found the coil needed to be adjusted so he adjusted them (took about 3 minutes) and I stood up and said 'WOW!' Thanks again, and I hope you can find some relief too! I do appreciate the suggestion and I may check into those for just anytime shoes but for now, you won't find me without the z coils on! :)

[taylor04]

I have heel pain from pf as well as you did. I take it you wear you're z coils from morning to nite ? Is z coil a type of shoe or an insert? Thanks

[kgessex]

Hi. If you google z coil shoes, you'll find their website. They are shoes with an actual steel coil in the heel as well as a full inch of extra forefoot support and a prescription grade orthotic with arch support. They are also able to add more or less padding as needed. I was actually wearing my z coils from the second I woke up in the morning until I sat in bed in the evening. I now don't have to do that. My pf has healed to such an extent that it's not necessary anymore to wear them every waking moment. I can tell you though that if you go for a walk without wearing them, your pf will start to bother you again (can say this from experience). I bought an extra pair just in case because I honestly would rather go barefoot the rest of my life than to wear any other shoes. In my case, as well as from what I hear, in most cases, after you've worn them for a while, your gait starts to readjust to what it's supposed to be. The dr has told me that my gait has totally changed now and is closer to "normal." My husband recently got a really good job but he's on his feet 10-12 hours/day. His feet were killing him after the 2nd or 3rd day so I took him to try on those shoes. He fell in love and he now has a pair with steel toes and covered coils (he works in a factory). Honestly when you first look at the shoes, they look odd. The coil in mine is uncovered and is noticeable. You'll see what I mean when you look them up. However, I have NO pain in my feet/heals/arches/calf anymore and the pain relief they provide far surpasses any visual appeal. They have tennis shoes, clogs, hikers, dress shoes, etc so there's a fairly wide selection to choose from. Check them out and if you have one near you or can get them online (getting them from the store is better because you have free lifetime adjustments as needed with no appt and no wait and since your gait will change, you'll probably need a few adjustments at first). Hope you can find some relief! I certainly will never forget how my feet felt and I hope these shoes are around forever! One last note on the appearance... although they do look different with that coil on the heal, I've referred even strangers to the place that ask about it and I have earned one free pair of shoes now and have a couple more referrals toward my next pair. That's with THEM approaching ME about the shoes. The only way the referral counts is if the person actually buys the shoes, so they must not look all that different ;) I can hear the trick or treaters coming up the road now so I'd better get ready for them. Good luck!

[taylor04]

Thanks for the reply. I have checked the site out and will visit them. Would eventually like to get back to exercising etc. soon but walking without pain would be a grat start . Thanks again.