Chronic ankle and heel pain !! Help me : (

[Rachlew]

Bit of history , I'm 41 little over weight (about 1st) used to be very fit active but last 12 months not so much. Had a fall about 15 months ago smashed my knee up and badly twisted my ankle, did not break anything but if took months to heal and I've never got full movement in that ankle. Both ankles crack really bad and I'm not able to where any heels over 3inches.

Over the last 4 wks I've now started to do some excersives to get my fitness back and also loose some weight. 1st week - started walking 2 miles x 3, 2nd week - walking 2 miles x 3 plus CT , 3nd week- run/ walking x 2 plus CT, 4th week - run /walking on (tread mill) x 2 plus CT.

On the 4th week after getting of the treadmill my ankles started to ache but I thought it was muscular so didn't think much about it but on the Tuesday morning I could hardly walk when I got out of bed and the pain was terrible through my feet/ankles. This has continued and when I tried to train on Wednesday the pain was terrible and my ankles / feet would not even go in a running postion. Called my Gp who advised it was Achilles tendinitis (over the phone) and to take ibuprofen /rest / ice /stetches which I'm doing but it's not getting any better.

My walking is terrible, stairs impossible and in the mornings standing is incredibly difficult. If I touch my feet/ ankles there does not appear to be any sore spots other than sides of my heals and I can move both feet freely but as soon as I weight bare or walk the pain is terrible so I'm hobbling on them.

Should I be pushing through this pain to enable them to improve. I've stopped all training as I'm finding just walking is a challenge !!

If you could suggest anything which would enable me to get my normal mobility back that would be great
Many thanks
Rach

[Heidi]

When you say the sides of your heels where exactly do you mean?
The GP is right with his treatment, although maybe not with the 'diagnosis'. Achilles tendonitis would cause pain at the back of the heel/lower calf and it would be tender to touch the tendon itself.
COntinue to rest and stretch several times a day. Ice and ibuprofen will also help. Once you are back to walking without pain, get yourself to a podiatrist to check your feet to determine the problem and see if you need any insoles etc

[mathnewhope]

Maybe you're having a plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common explanations of heel pain. It is caused by inflammation to the thick band that connects the toes to the heel bone, called the plantar fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot. The condition is most commonly seen in runners, pregnant women, overweight people, and individuals who wear inadequately supporting shoes. Plantar fasciitis typically affects people between the ages of 40 and 70.

Symptoms
Plantar fasciitis commonly causes a stabbing pain in the heel of the foot, which is worse during the first few steps of the day after awakening. As you continue to walk on the affected foot, the pain gradually lessens. Usually, only one foot is affected, but it can occur in both feet simultaneously.

Diagnosis
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, your doctor will physically examine your foot by testing your reflexes, balance, coordination, muscle strength, and muscle tone. Your doctor may also advise a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or X-ray to rule out other others sources of your pain, such as a pinched nerve, stress fracture, or bone spur.

Treatment
Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes medication, physical therapy, shock wave therapy, or surgery.

Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are used to treat the inflammation and pain of plantar fasciitis, but they won't cure the condition. Corticosteroids can also be used to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are applied either as a topical solution in conjunction with a non-painful electric current or through injections to the affected area.

Physical Therapy
Stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are recommend to relieve pain and aid in the healing process. Sometimes application of athletic tape is recommended. In moderate or severe cases of plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend you wearing a night splint, which will stretch the arch of your foot and calf while you sleep. This helps to lengthen the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia for symptom relief. Depending on the severity of your plantar fasciitis, your physician may prescribe a store-bought orthotic (arch support) or custom-fitted orthotic to help distribute your foot pressure more evenly.

Surgery and Other Procedures
When more conservative methods have failed to reduce plantar fasciitis pain, your doctor may suggest extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which is used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy uses sound waves to stimulate healing, but may cause bruises, numbness, tingling, swelling, and pain. When all else fails, surgery may be recommended to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. Few people need surgery to treat the condition.

Hope this helps..