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I Am Having A Lot Of Pain In My Left
Question: I am having a lot of pain in my left heel ( underneath). I am training for the XXXXXXX G Komen 3 day, 60 mile walk next month. I have primarily been wearing Hoka shoes- right heel is fine.
Any ideas what I have & treatment.
Thx, XXXXXXX
Any ideas what I have & treatment.
Thx, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Plantar fasciitis is likely- recommended treatment discussed below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Pain under the heel is most of the time caused by plantar fasciitis. In this case, there is pain that is worse when you start movements (the first few steps in the morning are the worse ones in the majority of the patients). It is worse with flat shoes as well. Mostly it is related to the arch of the foot, which in patients with plantar fasciitis, is too high or too low.
Treatment consists of ice, ibuprofen high dose or Aleve (naproxen- which you are also using), proper-fitting footwear, and shoe supports.
Physiotherapy may be helpful to stretch the fascia and reduce the pain. You may also try it yourself to roll your foot over a glass bottle in the morning before starting moving around. Also, you may stretch your foot by gently bending the toes upwards with your hand. You may repeat these 2-3 times a day. A physiotherapist will be able to better assist you in this.
If these are not helping enough an X-ray of the foot and heel are needed to rule out bone diseases.
Rarely, in cases of plantar fasciitis, when the above treatment is not helping enough, local injections with steroids to reduce inflammation are needed.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Plantar fasciitis is likely- recommended treatment discussed below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
Pain under the heel is most of the time caused by plantar fasciitis. In this case, there is pain that is worse when you start movements (the first few steps in the morning are the worse ones in the majority of the patients). It is worse with flat shoes as well. Mostly it is related to the arch of the foot, which in patients with plantar fasciitis, is too high or too low.
Treatment consists of ice, ibuprofen high dose or Aleve (naproxen- which you are also using), proper-fitting footwear, and shoe supports.
Physiotherapy may be helpful to stretch the fascia and reduce the pain. You may also try it yourself to roll your foot over a glass bottle in the morning before starting moving around. Also, you may stretch your foot by gently bending the toes upwards with your hand. You may repeat these 2-3 times a day. A physiotherapist will be able to better assist you in this.
If these are not helping enough an X-ray of the foot and heel are needed to rule out bone diseases.
Rarely, in cases of plantar fasciitis, when the above treatment is not helping enough, local injections with steroids to reduce inflammation are needed.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
What is the best way to determine if my arch is too low or too high with my shoes? I know CVS has an electronic foot machine (Dr. Scholes) to fit you for inserts. Should I try something like that?
Also, how often should I ice each day?
Also, how often should I ice each day?
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
The foot arch can be easily determined by a medical professional by just watching you walk. You may also evaluate it yourself by wetting your feet and watching the footprints you make when walking. There are easy guides to online (with illustrations) on how to determine the arch of your foot from your footprints.
As for the company you mention that does shoe inserts, you may talk to them and ask if they evaluate the foot arch. I think foot inserts would be very helpful to provide a good support, so I would advice you to go for it..
You may ice your foot as often as you need it. There is not certain rule. It serves to ease the pain so your pain and ability to have it will determine the frequency.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
The foot arch can be easily determined by a medical professional by just watching you walk. You may also evaluate it yourself by wetting your feet and watching the footprints you make when walking. There are easy guides to online (with illustrations) on how to determine the arch of your foot from your footprints.
As for the company you mention that does shoe inserts, you may talk to them and ask if they evaluate the foot arch. I think foot inserts would be very helpful to provide a good support, so I would advice you to go for it..
You may ice your foot as often as you need it. There is not certain rule. It serves to ease the pain so your pain and ability to have it will determine the frequency.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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