:confused: I drove a 30' u-haul truck 1000 miles about 6 weeks ago. I have heel pain on the right side of the right heel. It is horrible in the A.M. and hurts my getting around all day. It started durning the big truck drive.
Any suggestions?

[ October 19, 2003, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: NashTrash ]

Sounds like you developed a tendinitis, whether it be from the lateral calf or in the underside of the foot.

Have you tried anti-inflammatories? Also trying alternating heat and ice with some stretching before you walk and get up...

Its tough to give you any more info without doing a physical exam.

Kurt

Do you know what plantar fasciitis is? I've had a couple of bouts with it.

This is not a diagnosis.

Edited to correct the spelling of "fasciitis". Thanks, HornFan.

I'd also like to add that orthotics helped me a bunch, as did throwing away those worn out running shoes. Wearing shoes with worn heels is just asking for trouble. A Kaiser PT turned me on to the orthotics.

[ October 19, 2003, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

I would check that Plantar Fasciitis theory (not diagnosis) out with a good podiatrist. Click here for some excellent information on the subject:

http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content.../1680_54531.htm

[ October 19, 2003, 08:50 PM: Message edited by: HornFan ]

I've had recurrent plantar fasciitis for years in my left foot. Hurts mostly in the morning, and eases throughout the day. One thing that helps (if this is indeed what's going on for you) is a regimen of gentle stretching, as well as a frozen water bottle that you can roll under your sock-protected foot as you sit.

I'll echo the recommendations to see a podiatrist as well...

How timely this topic is. I think I have plantar faciitis and am scheduled to see a sports medicine podiatrist in a couple of weeks. It's apparently very common amongst tennis players.

I'm actually very worried about it, afraid that I'll need to have surgery, etc. Those of you who have it/have seen podiatrists, what are your experiences? It sounds like maybe there are viable alternatives to surgery, which is happy news for me.

I've got some great exercises you can do to build strength in your foot. Feel free to private message me and I'll try and explain them.

I'm the one with foot pain. Shouldn't you be massaging my feet, jaydee? I'll have to see if my podiatrist recommends such exercises....

I have also had horrible bouts with plantar faciitis, which may be one of the most painful forms of tendonitis there is. So far, all the recommendations on the board are dead on - try icing and stretching, anti-inflammatories, and definately see a podiatrist. I have a rather expensive pair of graphite orthotics, which require a plaster cast of your foot, but they have really done the trick (for both my plantar faciitis and falling arches, if only they could cure the bunions).

The other thing I found, after finding a very good PT, was that my problems were actually calf-related. I had problems both the plantar faciitis and achilles tendonitis, and the PT traced them to the same source - too-short calf muscles. A period of about 2 - 3 months where I did calf raises each morning and night (and still make sure to stretch out my calves before any sports) also helped to alleviate the problem.

Good luck to both Nashtrash and Gaga4Gaby - you can recover without surgery, but it is a long process.

Thanks to all of you. I made an appt. with a podiatrist. I also picked up my x-rays of my foot. It has a large hook on the bottom of my heel. It has hurt alot more since I looked at the x-ray. My girlfriend said if we could just get to it we could use it as a can opener or pop open a long neck. I wasn't amused.
Hope it can be dealt with without the knife. eek!