Shoe for Achilles Bursitis

[WDW*Dreamer]

I have been running for about a year. I got a bit of a late start, I'm 45. I was motivated to start by two things: 1) I read the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (great book!), and 2) I wanted another excuse to go to WDW. Last year I ran the Wine & Dine Half, and I'm already signed up for this year.

The problem is, my right heel has started hurting. After much googling I have self diagnosed myself with Achilles Bursitis. I would go to a Dr for a second opinion, but I am soooo tired of the standard, "refrain from physical activity for 4-6 weeks" answer.

Does anybody out there have any experience with Achilles Bursitis? More specifically, can anybody recommend a good shoe (or shoe type) I should try? Right now I'm wearing New Balance 760's.

Thanks,

 

[lovetoscrap]

I try not to do this much anymore but I really feel like I have to respond to your post. PLEASE! I am begging you. PLEASE. Find a qualified podiatrist and/or orthopedist and get it checked out and FOLLOW their instructions, even it means resting it. Actually if you can find one, a Sports Medicine Specialist would be the best thing.

I didn't see anyone when my heel started hurting. After a year I saw a GP that blew me off and just told me if it hurts don't walk on it. Then a podiatrist that didn't do much, and never told me to do any stretching or anything else that I should have been doing at the time. It was about 3 years before I got to a good doctor but by that time a lot of damage had been done. We were able to make things better but after a while I got complacent. My feet didn't hurt so why continue with the things I was told to do?

Ultimately I have been treated for Severe Plantar Fasciitis in both feet, tarsal tunnel in one foot and Bursitis in that ankle (not sure if that is the same as what you describe, but it sounds like it is-- and a cortisone shot is all it took to help that out)

I am now permanently disabled-- spent a year in a wheelchair unable to walk more than a few steps, 2 more years completely inactive unable to take more than a few steps, and nearly 2 years in a Cam Walker (big ugly boot). I have had several foot surgeries and have permanent and probably irreversible damage in my heels and feet (I try to remain optimistic that one day maybe something else can be done). I can only be on my feet for about an hour before the pain is unbearable. It has been a 10 year journey that I would give anything to go back and change.

I can't even dream of running a race. Many days I am just happy to walk from my handicapped parking space to the front of a store, get a few groceries and get home and off my feet before the pain gets to bad.

Sorry, I hate it when someone doesn't answer the question the poster asked-- you didn't ask for my opinion, but my life changed forever in a very bad way because I had the same attitude you did. If I can keep someone else from making the same mistakes I did then I have to try.

Best of luck to you.

ETA: Plantar Fasciitis (causes heel pain) is VERY common in runners and CAN be fixed if you get treatment asap.

 

[cewait]

I have been running for about a year. I got a bit of a late start, I'm 45. I was motivated to start by two things: 1) I read the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (great book!), and 2) I wanted another excuse to go to WDW. Last year I ran the Wine & Dine Half, and I'm already signed up for this year.

The problem is, my right heel has started hurting. After much googling I have self diagnosed myself with Achilles Bursitis. I would go to a Dr for a second opinion, but I am soooo tired of the standard, "refrain from physical activity for 4-6 weeks" answer.

Does anybody out there have any experience with Achilles Bursitis? More specifically, can anybody recommend a good shoe (or shoe type) I should try? Right now I'm wearing New Balance 760's.

Thanks,

REST, ICE and See a doctor.

It's not a shoe issue if you have sef-diagnosed correctly. If you have not diagnosed correctly and its a slight achilles tear and you keep on without allowing it to heal, one day you may hear a sharp snap followed by a blinding pain and you will find yourself in a crumbles ball on the ground. your calf muscle will look like a balled up fist just behind the back of your knee.

Sorry, but a self diagnosis is not the way to go with this, unless you have the initials MD after you name. Get to a doctor and ask for PT if not prescribed. All chronic injuries as signs of you body needing help with a weakness.

 

[saysay]

I have Plantar Faciitis right now in my left foot. I had it in my right foot last year. Big sign of it is heel pain...not saying you have it, but its very common among runners.

Please go see a doctor, you need more than new shoes to keep it from getting really bad.

Last year I saw a Podatrist and got a cortisone shot which helped immediately with the pain, just took a few months for foot to heal. He did tell me not to exercise after the shot for 3 or 4 weeks. He also showed me how to tape up my feet since I work at a preschool and am on them for hours when working. We also talked about shoes, not specifics, but he did recommend a few brands of sneakers. I can't walk around barefoot either. He gave me some basic stretches to do and a boot to wear at night. Took about 3 months and healed up.

This year training for 1/2 princess with a tight calf. After a 10.5 training run, the pain in my calf disappeared and showed up in my heal. Because I wanted to try to continue to train, went to a sports orthapedist who diagnosed me and talked to me about my training for the princess and how I would back off and slow down....which for me, I am super slow was hard. We also talked about if the pain got bad on any run I had to be prepared to stop - including the 1/2 marathon which was 6 weeks out. He sent me to a Physical Therapist who worked with me to get the inflamation down and showed me stretches that the podiatrist didn't. I finished the princess, though it was REALLY slow the last 4 miles. When I tried to run to train, it just hurt worse so PT had me doing eliptical. Lucky for me I got a flu like virus 2 weeks before the race and HAD to stay in bed. I know it really helped my foot so I could do the race. I am still working my stretches and wearing my night boot and taping days I exercise - I so scaled back and am still not running - or work. I hate this pain but want it to heal.

I know how hard it is when you want to run to not be able to, but better to heal than do permanent damage. I know from last year, this injury just takes time to heal. If your body is aching, you need to listen!

I see you are in Cumming, I am in Atlanta and saw a sports med doctor by Northside hospital. I know many who have gone to see Dr Perry Julien in Sandy Springs, I think he is like the go-to guy for runners, but he didn't take my insurance. Please don't put this off. Go see someone so you can get the right tools to deal with your problem....which could include your shoes among other things.

 

[WDW*Dreamer]

Thanks everybody. I know you're right.

It's sure stinks getting old. I've always been pretty active. It just seems, since I crossed that 40 line, there's always something new hurting.

 

[lovetoscrap]

It's sure stinks getting old.

Yeah, but it beats the alternative. . . .

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hoping you can get a remedy and an apt. soon. Let us know how you are as the diagnos and healing begins.

 

[7165red]

See a Dr.