I have been in a lot of pain with my heel, underneath, it hurts bad when i walk and hurts even more after i?
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You could try a night splint. Also icing every day for 12 mins - put loads of ice cubes in a bag and fill with water then put your foot in it. This will probably be really painful at first but you get used to it.
Stretching is also important. In particular you need to stretch you achilles, calf and hamstrings.
You can also use Ibuprofen gel which you apply 3x a day to the area that hurts, as well as Ibuprofen tablets.
If you can afford it then go and see a physio who can give you a deep tissue massage - most sports physios can do this. You'll need to pay for this though. Your doc may eventually refer you to a physio on the NHS but from my experience they are useless for this kind of injury.
Other options are strapping your foot. This will take the load of you PF. I've posted a link below for instructions on how to do this.
Finally you need to address the cause of the injury. Are you flat footed, do you have a leg length discrepancy, a biomechanical problem etc. Professionally fit orthotics may be of use here.
Google this, and find out all the facts. I feel sure there is an operation you can have. Go to a different doctor, or go to A&E. Don't put up with it.
The diagnosis sounds correct. You may also be forminga bone spur. There is a technique that hurts like crazy to have done, but in the end the pain and more importantly, the problem goes away. Find a neuromuscular massage therapist or a chiropractor that is familiar with the manual technique of releaving the problem. You can also begin by stretching out your calves. The pain can originate from overly tight calf muscles. They attach to your heel via a tendon and this tightness can cause your pain. Stand with your heel over the edge of a step and let your heel fall below the level of your toes. this will stretch your calf, and might give you some relief.
I suspect that you have what I believe is called a bone spur, a small outgrowth of bone.
If so it needs to be removed surgically.
Give your doctor one more chance to treat this properly, failing that go down to your local A & E and later change your doctor.
As for the anti inflammatories you were on I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, the stomach troubles they cause is usually worse than any pain you are already suffering.
Plantar fasciitis which is not responding to oral medicaition will often do well with a localised injection of steroid into the heel.
This is usually done by a rheumatologist (joint and connective tissue specialist)
It is relatively painless and unlike oral steroids has very little in the way of side effects (rarely some people can become a little flushed for a few minutes after but thats about it)
Your GP should be able to refer you to rheumatology.
You poor thing - I really sympathise having suffered this problem myself.
Go along to your Dr again and asked to be referred to the hospital for a hydrocortizone injection into the affected area.
They will use an ultrasound machine to locate the exact site of the inflamation and then inject the hydrocortizone. This is NOT as bad as it sounds - I was terrified when I went to have it done but, because they also inject a local anaesthetic at the same time, it is no more painful than having an ordinary injection.
I have had it done twice so far - the first one lasted about 18 months before I had to have a second go. It really does work - the relief is wonderful.
In the meantime, go to a foot care shop like 'Scholl' or a medical appliance shop and get some specially made insoles for your shoes. They cost about £25 - £30 per pair but one pair can be used in all your shoes. They can also help to relieve the pain and support your foot.
Best wishes.
Dr. Steve's given the best answer - but shouldn't he be working?
it sounds to me that what u have is called a spur whitch is a bone very much like a spur of a cockerel sometimes fragments of this break away leaving a splinter whitch is very painfull as you say, it can be treated by your doctor,which involves injecting into your heel a fluid that should disperse the spur. if your doctor cannot do this,then i would advise u to change your doctor,hope this helps u and good luck.
Follow these directions to help lessen your pain.
Put a can of Chicken Broth in your Freezer until its frozen solid.
(any canned liquid will work, just as long as the seams in the can don't break, or the can crack open while freezing. Sometimes cans of Soda-Pop will work too)
When frozen solid, do the following:
1. Put a thin sock on your painful foot.
2. Sit down on a comfortable chair/sofa - whatever - where you can keep you lower leg perpendicular to the floor and relaxed.
3. Put the frozen can on the floor directly below your painful foot.
4. Rest your painful foot on the can.
5. With your painfoot, roll the can along your foot from your toes to the heel of your foot.
6. Do this for 15 minutes.
Note: It may hurt your heet a bit more at first, but keep doing it; it will feel better in a few minutes, and after you do this a few times.
7. Ater 15 minutes, take your foot of the can, and let it rest on the floor - without putting weight on it - for 5 minutes.
8. After 5 minutes, you can change your sock, put on comfortable shoes with a heel inserts, pick up the can and put it back in the freezer.
9. Repeat this frozen can routine every 4 hours when you're home.
a) Remember only 15 minutes of rolling your foot on the frozen can. NO longer then fifteen minutes.
b) Remember to rest for 5 minutes afterwards.
c) Remember to Repeat this every 4 hours (if possible).
Your foot will begin to feel better. The pain should be lessened over time.
A Physical Therapist told me of this routine when I injured my foot and ankle a few years ago. It worked wonders - and it was better then plunging my foot into pot of ice water.
Good Luck,
Ken
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