1. Welcome to the Foot Health Forum community where you can ask about foot problems and get help, as well as be up-to-date with the latest foot health information. Only registered members can ask a question, but you do not need to register to respond and give help. Please become part of the community (here) and check out the shop.

inner heel pain

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Janebeth, Jul 18, 2010.

  1. Janebeth

    Janebeth New Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    I've developed pain in my inner heel,the first bony part you feel when working your way up from the bottom of your foot. The skin is pink and slightly swollen compared to the other foot, the pain is completely localized (it's tender and sore if I push on the pinkish spot), and it's much worse in the morning. I'm a runner who's getting back in shape after a baby, so I have very low weekly mileage (maybe 10 mpw), and I just can't believe this is plantar fascia ... but what could it be? (I also walk about 5 mpw and bike about 40-50 mpw, but this is all less than I did pre-baby w/o injury.)

    I'm calling my doctor tomorrow, but the wait at her office is 2-3 months for an appointment, so any ideas are appreciated. Like all runners, I don't want to stop running, and since I don't own a car, the biking and walking have to happen no matter what!

    Thanks for any insights!
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2010
  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    Why can you not believe that it is plantar fasciitis? Your description as to the location of your complaint is not as clear to me as you might think it should be, so I have no idea where the pink spot which you are describing is. You certainly don't want to wait 2 to 3 months for a look-see by a doctor. I can't imagine that you cannot find one to see you before that. Surely you understand that a decision to continue running while you still have the pain is an inappropriate one.
     
  3. Janebeth

    Janebeth New Member

    That's funny!

    The pain is where, as far as I can tell from foot anatomy images on the internet, over the calcaneus bone on the inside of the heel. On the foot without pain, the area is smooth when you press on it; on the foot with pain, the skin is slightly swollen and the underlying bone feels bumpier. I realize those are not technical terms but I lack a medical vocabulary.

    My understanding of plantar fascitis is that it is an overuse injury, and my mileage is too low for overuse to be an issue. I'm wearing the same shoes, running on the same surfaces, and weigh the same as pre-baby, when I was doing 60 mpw without injury. It also doesn't "feel" like plantar fascitis--it's more a dull, constant pain like a bruise, including being more painful when you touch the area. It doesn't change after you're warmed up.
     
  4. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    What's so funny? The lack of precise medical vocabulary is exactly the problem. Terms such as "over the calcaneus" and "inside of the heel," obviously mean something very specific to you, but not to me. Let me, for instance, state how one would medically describe the location of plantar fasciitis pain . . .
    Pain is felt on palpation of the area slightly medial to the midline of the tuborsity of the calcaneus on its plantar surface, and pain radiates into the adjacent area of the arch just distal to that point.

    Now, it might be beyond your knowledge capability to state it in such matter, but it in lieu of an actual picture or hands-on physical examination, it is necessary to paint an accurate word picture which can be universally understood.

    Overuse is not generally an exclusive issue. Those who suffer from plantar fasciitis often find that their episodes come on without any change in activity. It is related to plantar fascial strain rather than specific overuse, and that might be related to choice of heel height, tightness of the achilles tendon, and/or foot structure and mechanics.

    Have you had plantar fasciitis before so that you KNOW what it feels like? Many patients describe it very much as you have, including the inpression that it might be a bone bruise.

    Now, let me make it clear that I do not know if you have plantar fasciitis or not . . mainly because I have not grasped from your description the area which hurts, and knowing what area you're talking about is critical in suggesting such a diagnosis. But nothing that you have otherwise stated would rule it out in my mind.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2010
  5. Janebeth

    Janebeth New Member

    Thank you for your insights. I have had plantar fasciitis before, and it presented quite differently.

    Initially, I just thought one thing was funny, the idea that one could get a doctor's appointment for a non-emergency in less than 2 months. I notice many international posters on this forum; perhaps you're unfamiliar with the American health care system, where it takes on average 20 days to get an appointment to get the referral to make an appointment with a specialist such as, I presume, yourself.

    But now I think something else is funny: your attitude. I would never presume that a non-specialist would be able to correctly use the terminology specific to *my* doctorate. If I were to find someone incomprehensively vague while discussing technical issues, there are many resources I could direct him to in order to rephrase his question appropriately. One would assume such resources also exist in your field.

    But who knows, maybe you just don't like runners.

    Cheers!
     
  6. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    I don't know what area or perhaps back woods, if that be the case, in which you live, but I can assure you that in most areas of the country there are plenty of podiatrist . . far more than certainly the new ones in practice would like, and it doesn't take 2-3 months or anywhere NEAR that to get an appointment. If its a matter of your insurance company being slow and unresponsive to your needs, complain to THEM, for that's not under my control, nor is it my problem. If your automobile breaks down and it's not under warranty and no one else is going to pay for it, either you pay for it yourself or you go without a car. Your apparent implication that medical services are only worthwhile if someone else pays for them is your choice or thought, but none-the-less, insulting. If I wanted to return to an activity sufficiently badly, as you seem to imply, and I had to pay for my treatment or whatever myself, I would do just that.

    But I've gotta say that you are one piece of work to complain because I told you that I couldn't understand your description sufficient enough to give you a real opinion. It certainly is not incumbent upon ME to give you lessons or direct you to resources for self-education. That being said, I certainly gave you an example as to how your description might better have been phrased. Apparently THAT went clear over your head. I am not volunteering my time and sharing my knowledge here to be at YOUR beck and call, madam. Furthermore, please take note of the fact that I asked not for free advice, or ANY advice from YOU in regard to whatever *YOUR* doctorate might be. It is YOU, instead, who imposed upon ME. So your protestations based upon that flawed supposition is a non sequitur. And talk about attitude. Your seeming attitude that I owe you something I find rather distasteful. So I will not lose one moment of sleep over whether you consider that you got your money's worth here or not. Enjoy your wait for the doctor whom you will be willing to pay if and when he deems it appropriate to accepts you and take your money, and if you still don't get what you want, I bet you will, unlike here, simply close your lips and pay the bill.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2010
  7. JonesT

    JonesT Guest

    Why do you keep this thread in here?? You must be very ego-centric - always wanting the last word!
     
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I only read the first few posts, but trust me you have plantar fasciitis. You need to stop running and ice a couple of times a day and take some ibuprofen for inflammation before you really make it even worse. I get swollen and pink in the same spot as you. I have had it for three years, it's hard to get rid of, I have just recently started to feel some relief. It isn't just overuse injury. I too got mine when I started running again. Standing a lot makes it worse too and using stairs. Cortizone will make it feel better temporarily but mine always comes back after the shot. I get the most relief from icing for 5-7 mintues especially at night before bed. Stretch or rub it in the morning before you get out of bed too. Good Luck!
     
  9. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    FootDoc, just an outside opinion. You're the one with the attitude problem, not her. Re-read your posts man, make yourself a drink and chill out.
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Wow - I stumbled across this while searching for some ideas on treating my heel pain, as the podiatrist wasn't able to help me completely relieve it. Read FootDoc's postings & YIKES! FootDoc needs to take a deep breath & chill out.
     
  11. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am afraid I must agree with the other guests in that the doc is inappropriate in his responses. As a therapist I must constantly alter my terminology to communicate with those in need of assistance. It is unreasonable to expect someone that is not trained in a field to use the same terminology which is why we study for years so that they do not have to. However, I do agree that 2 to 3 months untreated would be a mistake. A quick inpsection by a professional would be advised if there is any way possible even if it is not the same trusted professional that you prefer.
     
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I agree with the other posters here about the "doc." The purpose of this forum is to get some quick general ideas about an ailment. Being rude about a person's use (or misuse) of medical terminology reveals a "doctor" who sadly does not have a shred of empathy for people.

    Some people can't get medical appointments right away for various reasons, and then there are others in this country without health insurance.
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Wow....foot doc...You really give us (doctors) a bad image....oh wait....you are not actually a doctor...you are a podiatrist!!!

    This poor girl...she is going to an open forum to get advice. She did not solicit you directly. I suggest you keep your pompous unhelpful opinion to yourself. What an idiot!!

    I don't know exactly what is wrong with your foot, but of all the possibilities such as plantar faciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis....the common thread is that they are all inflammatory conditions. If you treat it as such...with NSAIDs (aspirin or Advil), ice and rest...you should get some symptomatic relief and you will be already treating it by the time you are able to find a doctor who is able to see you. As long as it is not limiting your life, there really is no emergency. If it gets worse, I am sure you will be able to find someone to see you sooner.

    Hope you feel better soon...I hope I do too, since I have the same thing which was my reason for looking this up in the first place only to stumble upon that really annoying and inappropriate foot "doctor".

    Best of luck.
     
  14. Cfbrenton1

    Cfbrenton1 New Member

    Julia, I am curious what the diagnosis was. It was not completely clear which of two heel areas you were referring to, but my first guess was that if you were talking about the back of the heel, that you had a little Achilles tendinitis. If you were talking about the bottom of your foot, I would lean toward PF. The treatment for both is pretty similar. Hopefully you have alleviated your problem. If not, don't underestimate the value of the stretches and exercises. If done properly and regularly, they almost always make a big difference.
     
  15. Guest

    Guest Guest

    FootDoc...your an idiot
     
  16. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    That poor woman!! Ok have to agree that the footdoc way out of line. I was reading the comments thinking this was a reality tv show?? oh the drama. My husband has the same injury as I, an untrained person ( but a competitive runner ), understood her to describe. I didn't think plantar fasciitis was painful on the side of your heel, but more the bottom of your heel toward your arch also. I have had it and he does not unless I am mistaken.
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    My sentiments exactly! Sheesh!
     
  18. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I heartily concur..the foot doc is a arrogant ,pompous ass. The bedside and consultation manners of a goat.
     
Loading...

Share This Page