Heel Spurs?

[IluvKingLouis]

Looks like I might have this. My dad did too, although it kicked in for him in his last 60's. I'm in my late 40's and love being active.

I will be seeing a Dr. soon to see what I can do.

It's painful when I wake up, or if I've been sitting. I LOVE to walk, and the thought of not being able to walk all over WDW with my kiddo breaks my heart.

Is there hope? It sounds like there is no real cure other than arch supports and anti inflammatory meds.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Is it plantar fasciitis? My father had a heel spur - had to have surgery to correct the bone spur. I thought that I had the same thing a few years ago. Turned out to be plantar fasciitis. It took 18 months to heal, but I am fine now.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Is it plantar fasciitis? My father had a heel spur - had to have surgery to correct the bone spur. I thought that I had the same thing a few years ago. Turned out to be plantar fasciitis. It took 18 months to heal, but I am fine now.

Oh goodness. I'm not sure I know the difference. I have an appt coming up, but I'm basing my "diagnosis" on family history. I sure hope my condition can clear up? Even if it took 18 months, I'd be quite happy with that.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Please be sure to see a reputable podiatrist to get this diagnosed and treated. It is probably plantar fasciitis and not heel spurs. There are a lot of options available to help this but you need a good diagnosis and proper follow up care. It can be a very slow healing period and there are things you can do to keep it from reoccuring. You will probably be shown stretches to do--do them everyday.

The biggest thing that I recommend right now is to never, ever, ever, ever, ever go barefoot. Get some supportive tennis shoes and wear them anytime your feet are on the floor. I wear FitFlops and Crocs in the house as my "slippers" and even wear crocs in the shower. Give up any heels or dress shoes or cutsie boots right now.

You don't want to know my experience with all of this. Let's just say that I wish I had done all of the above starting with getting a good diagnosis and care when the problem first started.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I had plantar fasciitus, also. All the above is excellent advise. I had to have the surgery on both feet right before WDW.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I had plantar fasciitus, also. All the above is excellent advise. I had to have the surgery on both feet right before WDW.

Did that fix the problem? Were/are you able to walk comfortably?

Thanks for all the input everyone. I really appreciate the advise.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Oh goodness. I'm not sure I know the difference. I have an appt coming up, but I'm basing my "diagnosis" on family history. I sure hope my condition can clear up? Even if it took 18 months, I'd be quite happy with that.

My podiatrist told me that almost all "heel spurs" are really plantar fasciitis. I was able to get past mine by wearing appropriate shoes for about 18 months, along with a few basic stretches which I still do today.

I am fully active again, including running 25+ miles per week and P90X. No issues since the heel completely healed. But I caught mine early (as a runner, I take care of my feet), and I started treatment immediately.

About 3 weeks after being diagnosed, we went to WDW for 2 weeks. Talk about living on Advil.

 

[anniemae]

I had plantars faciitis. I went to a podiatrist and he wrapped one of my feet (the worst one) and gave me cortizone injections. I had to keep the wrapping on for 10 days I think. He also gave me inserts for my shoes that I wear in my sneakers. I also use crocs around the house-no more bare feet or fun flip flops for me. Oh, he also gave me a rx for naproxen I think, and boy did that take all the pain away. Oh, and he gave me a night splint to wear.

Google plantars faciitis, there is some great info.

 

[Micca]

About 20 years ago I was diagnosed with a heel spur on my left foot. Doc prescribed a couple of rounds of anti-inflammitories and some recommendations on shoes, and I've never had the problem again.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Now it does make me wonder if my shoe choice was all wrong.

I fell in love with Keen sandals a few years ago and have lived in them all year long. I use to wear running shoes/tennis shoes with support, and now I'm guessing the Keen's really have no support.

I hope to know more soon. My Dr's office is one that tends to try to treat everything from A to Z, so it will be interesting to see if they suggest a podiatrist or if I have to be the one to push for this.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

About 20 years ago I was diagnosed with a heel spur on my left foot. Doc prescribed a couple of rounds of anti-inflammitories and some recommendations on shoes, and I've never had the problem again.

Thanks! This makes me feel a lot better!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Plantar fascitis causes the heel spurs. I had PF and a heel spur last year. Had the spur removed last December (and I just turned 30 so age ain't nuthin' butta number...)

The biggest thing you can do for relief is to stretch your hamstring and calf. Another thing you can do for relief is freeze a watrer bottle then roll your affected foot over it, but for no more than 5 minutes at a time.

You can also massage the arch of your foot and break up the "crunchies".

Good luck!

 

[minniecarousel]

I have bone spurs & plantar fasciitis. I get a flare-up every one in a while. During a particularly bad spurt, I had physical therapy and cortisone patches applied at the PT. I use a night splint during a flare-up. I have worn arch supports. I never go barefoot or wear flip-flops.

Don't rush into surgery - there are many things to try before that. I am not currently using my night splint, but I did take it with me to WDW last December.

When I walk for exercise, I try to use the near-by track, instead of the hard sidewalk or street.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Thanks everyone for the information.

Last two days I retired my beloved Keen sandals and have been wearing a good tennis shoe with support. I'm feeling much better. Still plan to have it looked at, but I'm optimistic that the pain can be managed with shoes and stretching.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Brit17]

Plantar fascitis causes the heel spurs. I had PF and a heel spur last year. Had the spur removed last December (and I just turned 30 so age ain't nuthin' butta number...)

The biggest thing you can do for relief is to stretch your hamstring and calf. Another thing you can do for relief is freeze a watrer bottle then roll your affected foot over it, but for no more than 5 minutes at a time.You can also massage the arch of your foot and break up the "crunchies".

Good luck!

This is exactly what I did and it helped me a lot ... also, this past summer I bought a pair of Ryka slip on sandals that I practically lived in and I couldn't believe what a difference they made for me ... I really believe they played a significant role in helping me heal (no pun intended ) ... when it got too cold to wear them outside any longer , I bought a pair of Ryka slip-on mules, and so far so good, they've been working just as well as the sandals did for me ... I did buy another pair of the Ryka sandals, however, to wear in the house as slippers because I also found that walking barefoot, especially on hardwood floors, is not such good thing ... also, I think the regular spa pedicures I been treating myself to are really helpful too ...

I walked through WDW last December with my PF and by the time I got back to our resort at night I was just about only walking on my toes ... forget about waking up in the morning and taking that first stop out of bed ... I just wish I had my Ryka's then because I think the Nike's I was wearing made the matter worse for me ...

Good Luck ... I hope you find relief soon ... ...

 

[mousetravel]

Wanted to add a couple ideas because I've had it before, also.

Get a tennis ball and roll it around with your foot.

Wear a boot or similar shoe that has a little chunky heel. That will stretch your foot out some.

Take a towel, with each hand holding each end, place your foot in the middle of the towel, and pull back toward you with the towel (more stretching).

I think the stretching of the foot helps the most.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Wanted to add a couple ideas because I've had it before, also.

Get a tennis ball and roll it around with your foot.

Wear a boot or similar shoe that has a little chunky heel. That will stretch your foot out some.

Take a towel, with each hand holding each end, place your foot in the middle of the towel, and pull back toward you with the towel (more stretching).

I think the stretching of the foot helps the most.

n

Thank You! I so appreciate all the help and suggestions. I love the tennis ball idea.

 

[C.Ann]

Thankfully, I've never had them - but I have a very active friend in Texas (in her early 70's) that had them a few years ago.. She loves to walk and hike, so she was bummed at first, but after proper treatment she's fine now.. Walking all over the place and going on long, long hikes..

Just make sure you see a good specialist and then follow his instructions to the letter..

Good luck!

 

[Syrreal]

I got PF and a heel spur about 2 years ago. It was from wearing old tennis shoes that had lost their support. Never again. I now make sure all my shoes aren't worn out and replace them regularly. I also limit my time in heels, but still get to wear them and get to go barefoot too.

I was on an anti inflamatory for about 4 or 5 months and had to do all the stretches and massages already mentioned. I also wore shoe inserts for about a year and was given a night splint. I was never able to wear the splint to sleep in (just couldn't get used to it no matter how much I tried- I can't even wear socks to sleep in) so I would wear it for a few hours whenever I had a long break or once the kid went to bed. If I feel like my foot is tight one night, I still take it out and stretch it again to help prevent the PF from coming back.

I wear Merrell shoes for everyday and sports now. My podiatrist said they are great in the arch/foot support department. They also make cute shoes for work. I've also found that some Reef flip flops have pretty good arch support too. I don't know about the Keens since my feet are way too narrow for them.

Your doctor will be able to give you specific directions on what to do for your particular circumstance, but stretching your feet now may give you a start in making your feet feel better.

 

[Kae]

Another thing that help me was not wearing the same shoe or sandel 2 days in a row.

Kae