Have you ever had a heel spur?

[MaryL]

My heel has been bothering me.....not sure why????? It's ok for part of the day, and at other times it hurts like you know what!!!! Drives me crazy...I'm on the go, so much! I didn't hurt my foot (that I know of), didn't change shoes (though I could use some new ones). I've poked around the internet. Heel spurs seem common....do they go away?????

[Diane]

I've had them... in both heels. It would usually bother me more first thing in the morning when I'd get out of bed... could hardly walk and it was SOOOOO painful. My dr. told me it was caused because of all the walking I did. He showed me some foot exercises (stretches) that I could do BEFORE getting out of bed and that usually helped a little. He also suggestedl soaking my feet in icy cold water about 4 times a day. :( He also suggested that I not walk so much... to give it a rest. I did and it's been gone ever since... but it COULD come back if I ever over did it again.

Diane... :wave:

[Diane]

I found a site that better explains heel spurs and what you can do to help treat it. Hope this helps. :)

http://orthopedics.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/plantar/

Diane... :wave:

[kat]

I've had problem with heel spurs in both heels. Pain is the worst after you've been off you feet and then get up to walk. Once you walk around more the tendon stretches more and is not rubbing against the spur. Ended up having cortizone shots in both heels. Worked well in left foot, but had to have 3 injections in the right and it was 18 months before that heel was back to 100%. Also wore "butt ugly" walking shoes to help reduce the strain on heel area. Used specially made inserts for other shoes.

Good luck to you. It's a real pain.

[MaryL]

Thanks Diane and Kat! Well, I guess I'm encouraged that this isn't a "forever" problem. I do try to stay off of my feet when it is aggrevated.....hard to do when I'm teaching, though. I hear you about the ugly shoes, Kat. Yuck....but when it hurts, I'll try anything!

Kat....How have you been feeling????? Sleeping better????

[kat]

I have been sleeping more. Thanks for asking. The Neurotin I take for the nerve pain really makes me sleepy. As a result, I've tried to cut back on the sleeping pills. Been cutting them in half. Went a couple of nights without them and did sleep but not real well, that in turn seems to make for a more painful day. I took a whole one last night and was still asleep after dh left for work. If my dad hadn't called me I'd have been late for work this morning.

Does anyone know if bulging discs tend to heal or am I destined to have this thing agrivating my siatic nerve forever? Not wanting to race out for back surgery, but not looking forward to 40 + years of constant pain either.

[Karen]

Here is a site that clarifies the relationship of a heel spur to plantar fasciitis.

http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp09001.htm

A heel spur can result from the inflammation of the plantar fascia. Hopefully you are still in the beginning stages and the inflammation may respond to ice, anti-inflammatories, and/or orthotics. I developed this condition - it was awful first thing in the morning, and would lessen throughout the day - and luckily mine responded to the above.

Good luck!