heel pain ?

[boston/maine]

Can anyone let me know how to deal with this heel sensitivity/pain. No matter what I do it continues to hurt, I went on-line and it seems to be a nerve thing I need some advise on how to deal with this new problem. I am in a wheelchair. Thanks. Jan

[stillstANNding]

Jan, read about Plantar fasciitis and see if that is what it is. Very sensitive heels.

There are exercises to do that help. One is rolling each foot over a tennis sized ball for a while several times a day. There are more- let's just see if it sounds like what is going on with you.

Sorry for the pain- been there- but nice to "see" you.
ANN

[boston/maine]

Thanks Ann I will check this.

Jan

[Kittianne54]

This topic caught my eye. I've been having heel pain whenever my right heel is leaning or just against something. I immediately have to readjust the foot to take pressure off the heel. I'm also in a wheelchair. I wear an AFO on the right side, too. The heel doesn't bother me when I wear it, but it causes a burning sensation on the ball of the foot. So I only wear the AFO when I go out, and I don't use it in the house.

[agate]

I was having heel pain until I decided to stop wearing flexible bedroom slippers at home and cheap tennis shoes outdoors. A podiatrist persuaded me that, what with chronic health problems and general aging, I needed more foot support.

This meant lace-up shoes with plenty of arch support and enough cushioning built into the heel. They have to be fairly lightweight shoes for me, too. I insist on getting the weight of a shoe before I'll consider it. If it weighs more than about 8 oz. it's not for me.

It might be worth while to get a good podiatrist's opinion if you haven't already done this.

[Whisper]

I suffer from plantar fasciitis and it's awful. The only thing helps me is Flip Flops or any SOFT soled shoe. Do NOT walk around without something on your feet. I used flip flops for about a full year before the pain stopped in my heels....but it does threaten to come back now and again and I go back to the flip flops for a few weeks. Hope this helps.

[Judy2]

This sounds really familiar since I just finished having the same problem. Is the pain on the bottom of your foot, under the heel? Turns out for me, the footrests on my powerchair were up too high and my feet sat with too much pressure on the heels. Just had the fr's adjusted last week and what a difference! Having them lowered allowed my feet to sit naturally without excessive pressure on the heels. Good luck!

[andreagwolford]

You mean plantar fasciitis including heel pain and heel spurs. A variety of steps can be taken to avoid heel pain and accompanying afflictions:
-Wear shoes that fit well -- front, back, and sides -- and have shock-absorbent soles, rigid shanks, and supportive heel counters.
-Wear the proper shoes for each activity.
-Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles.
-Prepare properly before exercising. Warm up before running or walking, and do some stretching exercises afterward.
-Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities.
-Don't underestimate your body's need for rest and good nutrition.
-If obese, lose weight.

It will certainly help you in easing this problem out. If it doesn't help, you should limit normal daily activities and contact a doctor of podiatric medicine.

Early treatment might involve oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medication, exercise and shoe recommendations, taping or strapping, or use of various shoe inserts -- orthotic devices. Taping or strapping supports the foot, placing stressed muscles in a physiologically restful state and preventing stretching of the plantar fascia. Physical therapy may be used in conjunction with such treatments.

A functional orthotic device may be prescribed for correcting biomechanical imbalance, supporting the heel, controlling excessive pronation and stretching of the plantar fascia. It will effectively treat the majority of heel and arch pain without the need for surgery.

Only a relatively few cases of heel pain require surgery. If surgery is necessary, it is usually for the removal of a spur, but also may involve release of the plantar fascia, removal of a bursa, or removal of a neuroma or other soft-tissue growth.

Thought of providing a complete info. on this topic. Hope it helps!

Well-wisher,
Andrea.G.Wolford
http://www.StandingForMSers.org