My daughters heel is starting to hurt her. She runs 8-10 a day and has never had any problem before this ache. I was wondering if anyone might have some idea what may be the problem. thanks
My daughters heel is starting to hurt her. She runs 8-10 a day and has never had any problem before this ache. I was wondering if anyone might have some idea what may be the problem. thanks
Give us more details. Plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot, is probably the most common problem. One of the most obvious signs of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel when you get out of bed in the morning and take your first several steps of the day. The pain will typically subside as the tissue warms up, and you may be relatively pain-free during much of a run, but the pain returns after running.
Thanks. Her heel dosent hurt in am but as day goes on it does. This just started when she cut mileage back at end of cross country season. Shes suppose to increase miles now because she training for marathon but heel is problem
Look, I'm all for training advice going out over boards and people certainly can chip in with their experiences with heel problems, but your daughter should go see a foot doctor right away.
Preferrably one who has experience with runners. Does she live near a sportsmedicine clinic?
First of all you have to find out if it is a stress fracture or not. If it is, most likely nothing short of no running for 6 weeks is the answer; she should be able to walk on it without a cast. If it is in the soft tissue(connective) she is doing too much too soon, ie. the connective tissue can not adapt fast enough. I have had great success using Transverse Friction Massage on my heel where the Achilles attaches. Read about it here:
I have recently developed some of the same symptoms your daughter is experiencing, frustratingly enough. My buddy, an ex-oregon trackster says cortisone is the only way. My review of the research has shown there is a possibility of plantar fascia rupture w/cortisone.
try the following website:
http://heelspurs.com/index.html
so insidious, it even has its own webpage.
good luck
What part of the heel? Bottom of heel would be plantar fasciatis. Posterior heel right where the tendon meets the bone (back of heel) could be retrocalcaneal bursitis or subcutaneous bursitis. A little further up on the achilles tendon itself would be achilles tendonitis. Most of the time these ailments are not exclusive of each other and can happen all at once. Either way, a good idea would be not to run, ice the area 10-20 minutes at a time as many times during the day as you can. Take an anti-inflammitory (Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium[Aleve]). 1000-3000mg of Ibuprofen a day in 3-4 doses should do the trick or half that amount of Naproxen Sodium (yes you need that much to get any anti-inflammitory response). If ice, ibuprofen, and no running doesn't work or the problem reoccurs then go to a doctor. CORTISONE IS A BAD IDEA!! It can kill tendons and connective tissues. At worse she has a bone spur which may need surgery to remove. If she does have a bone spur she needs to take lots of calcium. Calcium will help in the breakdown and rebuilding of bone in the area to get rid of the spur. Since she's a girl she needs to take a daily calcium supplement anyway. Anything related to the bone (spurs, stress fractures, etc) can usually be prevented with adequate calcium intake, something this society's diet lacks severly.
Alan
Alan
I think that we've taken you all over the map on this. Although I'm somewhat inclined to bet on plantar fasciitis, I would feel more confident about that if she had the classic "first steps out of bed" pain. I agree that you should get her to an experienced sportsmedicine doc or podiatrist. Docs without much experience in treating runners are almost useless.
Regarding the treatment of plantar fasciitis, I personally would not hesitate to get a cortisone injection to deal with a chronic case, but it sounds as though this problem hasn't been going on for very long, so more conservative measures (ice, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, new shoes, heel padding, etc.) seem warranted at this point.
Thanks for all the info. I will get her to a doctor. There is one that does sports-med nearby. Ido appreciate all the advise. She does have lactose intolerence and dosent take calcium but we will change that now.