 Poster: A snowHead
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I haven't a clue how I did it, possibly a new set of trainers with too thin soles and not enough shock absorbance, but for the last 8 weeks+ I've been suffering from what I am convinced is that bruised heel condition, worse in the left heel.
It has all the classic symptoms, inc. being OK if I stay on my feet, but once I sit down if I then stand and try to walk its as though someone has crippled me the pain is so severe I can't bear any pressure on it for quite a number of steps until it eases. I've read up on the internet and it seems its one of those things which will/should mend in its own time so I doubt that a visit to the docs would improve things.
However, I am worried about skiing next Feb. Has anyone here skied with this condition and if so did you find that a ski boot with all its support helped or hindered the condition, and did skiing generally aggrevate things? At the moment I've just splashed on some decent Nike running shoes on the basis that they should have good heel shock absorbance, but I don't know how long it will be until the complaint goes away. Any advice would be welcome. I'm poking up with it at the moment, but it isn't half painful, very painful would also describe it, B£&&£* painful would also be applicable. 
P.S. If I got going on my bicycle again would it help or hinder the condition please?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 27-07-13 19:02; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've had 'bruised balls' just lately (the balls of my feet!) Feels like I've smashed one of the little foot bones, except the same bone on both feet.
My plan if it doesn't improve by the time I first clip in: ibuprofen in dangerous quantities.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Megamum, depends just where the pain is and the pattern, are the first few steps in the morning like standing on a pebble? Its certainly worth getting some silicone gel heel cups to pop in your shoes. Tight calf muscles are often the cause but yes too thin soles could do it. The other thing to check is your foot posture.
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sunnbuel, I'll see if I can get some of those heel cups. I spend a great deal of time sitting on an office chair, and probably don't sit properly on it - I tend to tuck my feet back and under it, so that might not help. I wouldn't say the pain is localised like standing on a small pebble it seem to encompass most of the heel, particularly around the edges, but hell is it painful! I'll poke up with a lot of pain without comment (I had two kids with no pain relief and no screaming), but this sending me through the roof. It eases once I get moving, but even sitting still for moments (regardless of which chair or sofa I sit on), brings it back the moment I stand up and at any point in the day. How do I get foot posture checked? I've been wondering if Ibuprofen rubbed in would help, but haven't tried it yet - perhaps I ought to.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Podiatrist might be a good start for foot posture. Or a specialist running shop if running might be the cause. CEM might be able to help as well - the insoles I bought of him when I got my ski boots (in addition to the ski boot ones) were fantastic - green superfeet.
Bruised a heel fencing once, was really annoying, so you have my sympathy. Tend to get hints of it if I've been doing too much standing in office shoes as well.
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Randomsabreur, I'm somewhat loathe to part with big cash if I don't have to, but if this keeps on too much longer I might find a podiatrist in the yellow pages. I don't run, I only bought the running shoes in the hope that they might provide the support and cushioning the foot clearly needs.
I went from some really oversized sloppy trainers that I'd never had a problem with into a pair of Karrimor training type shoes, they looked the part and didn't expect any problems, they had thin but nice soft soles, but within a very short time this complaint manifested itself. I got the new Nike running shoes in an attempt to find something with sufficient cushioning to help. It's not getting any worse, but there seems little improvement either after about 2 weeks in the new shoes.
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Megamum, quite often you can self refer or get G.P to refer you to a local nhs podiatrist, who will give you a reasoned diagnosis and offer up some treatment. What gives the worst pain, sitting to standing position OR the first few steps?
IF you go the private pod route the devices (orthotic/fotot bed etc) tend to be pricey. But if you can afford it go for it. The same applies to the running shops.
To throw a spanner in the works, have you any back symptoms and /or tingling etc in legs/feet?
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I can stand without problem. It's the first few steps that nearly kill me.
I had a trapped sciatic (sp?) nerve (right hand side) about 12 mths ago, which I think arose from a long standing injury about 20 years ago when I came off a horse and suffered a compressive fracture of 3 vertebrae (hospital didn't spot/X-ray it for 3 weeks and I had no treatment bar painkillers at the time or since). I guess occasionally my right foot sometimes tingles (it's doing so now actually, but I hadn't really noticed it before) Mum also says that I am becoming round shouldered, but I don't know what to do about that! Only 40+ and I'm a wreck - no hope for me I think!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Megamum, get yourself one of those foot massage rollers, and use it when you're sitting at your desk to stretch the sole of the foot. Heel pain first thing in the morning is often Plantar Fasciitis ( but I am not a podiatrist). Heel cups are a good suggestion. Don't ignore it for too long, hubby couldn't walk at all for a week.
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Megamum, May be policemans heel, I once got it from pace bowling on rock hard pitches. I was told to rest take pain killers and anti imflam. strangely when walking it eases agony to walk with one foot in the gutter and one on the kerb,... I said that when I was told it as well. Go to see GP for confirmation.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Megamum, does this sound like you? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004438/ . We do get a lot of customers with foot problems. Get some heel cups or 3/4 insoles with shock absorbtion for your shoes. And stretch it regularly. Put shoes on in the morning before you even walk across the room, don't go barefoot.
Hubby had it for a long time, the lack of support from your old comfy shoes may have caused it. It will be fine , and will even improve in your ski boot, as being supported and leaning forward will stretch the plantar fascia, so dangerous quantities of ibuprofen will not be needed. Bad news is that there is no instant fix. Hubby's only disappeared when he was forced to slow down due to his broken neck , which was a bit drastic.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Buy some superfeet trim to fit greeen and wear them all the time, even in the bath.
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For extra padding in anything (under existing insoles) sorbathane is pretty good. Superfeet are better for me though. I always try to wear some kind of insole (including the off the shelf ones from boots - also green superfeet not too expensive) if I'm going to be doing much standing!
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You know it makes sense.
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I would just suggest some really good, thick socks and gel inserts into your boots. Use deep heat and massage the affected area each night too and give you feet some rest! (put you feet up if you can). This helped me when I was suffering from the same problem. Josh.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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OK, many thanks folks - I'll look online and buy a couple of sets of these green superfeet - (I think they may be what Skee Tex put into my ski boots when I needed some volume taken up the other year along with some other padding). Hells Bells, Yes, that sounds like it. I've got some padded insoles at the moment, but the superfeet may be a better bet. I'm going find something to run my foot over too - maybe a tennis ball or even a tin of beans.
We do have a TENS device - would applying this help? If so does anyone have any ideas where to put the pads?
It's soooo annoying, I've never had foot problems previously - in fact I've always had fairly strong feet - a wide foot, good high arch (high instep too - shoes are v. problematical to buy though). I can't believe how painful feet can be. This is soooo unlike me.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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sunnbuel, They might be - sho knows. Anyway I've ordered a set of these green superfeet and they should be on their way, and gone and bought some cushioning as well.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Megamum, be careful buying online, you need to verify the heel cup, I suspect you will need the size bigger than the size you are.
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SMALLZOOKEEPER, There seemed to be three sizes - the medium one went up to a size 8 and I am only a 7 so I've got that one in use at the moment.
OK, still in bloody agony - now the ankle is acting up as well - gently throbbing as I sit here. The thing is if I get a pro to take a look who do I need? Doctor, podiatrist, chiropractor, osteopath.......someone else? Or do I just need a new foot?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Megamum, podiatrist would be my suggestion.
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Hells Bells, thanks I'm going to see if I can find one locally. I don't normally 'do' painkillers, or being ill, but at the moment I can feel some Vitamin I coming on. The pain is wrapping it's way across the front of my foot - no idea if this pain is linked to the heel pain or not, and then radiating up my calf. I don't know if I am aggrevating it by trying to walk normally on it and walk through the pain, or if rest is the best thing for it, but if I go and see someone they might be able to tell me a) what's wrong with me, b) how best to proceed.
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Megamum, sounds very much like Policeman's heel.
Treatment:
1. Full time wearing of a good pair of trainers (from getting up in the morning all the way through to bed time)
2. You don't need to buy a foot roller, just keep a (full) soft-drink can in the fridge, and when you are seated doing nothing, roll it on the floor with your bare foot to massage the offending area.
3. Calf stretches, calf stretches, calf stretches.
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Freddie Paellahead, Thanks for that - I got some good trainers 2 weeks ago and have been trying to keep them on, but I have to jump into wellies several times a day to sort out the animals, in fact I might still those superfeet that I got into the wellies. I had read about a foot roller and tried a can of chinese sauce yesterday (a long tall can - easy to keep under my foot) - I hadn't twigged that it should be cold though so I'll try that. I will certainly try some calf stretches too. I just can't believe how incredibly painful it is - I'll normally bash on through all sorts of pain and not complain, but this really has got the better of me - it is nearly reducing me to tears at times.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Megamum,
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get G.P to refer you to a local nhs podiatrist, who will give you a reasoned diagnosis and offer up some treatment.
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have you done this yet? i reckon you are now on 10 weeks + of non-settling symptoms for an undiagnosed problem
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sunnbuel, I spoke to a SH knowledgeable on the subject at HH who suggested that a course of self help might be worthwhile. Keeping foot warm, raised when resting, cold can rolled underfoot, lots of calf stretches, good supportive shoe, very much as Freddie Paellahead, and others have suggested above, These are professionals in their field and at the moment I doubt I will get bettter advice by bothering my own GP. I've got my doubt that physical medical procedural intervention would be offered (even if it is possible - which I don't know), until I've tried the self-help. In fact I've got a can under the foot at the moment. Maybe someone will know if I should be rolling it under the heel itself or under the instep please.
I've been doing calf stretches whenever I find a moment and wearing the shoe and keeping the foot warm etc It's harder to find time to do the can rolling. However, it's still absolute agony when I stand up, particularly later in the day. I took the kids out this morning for a walk around the local woodland park, I wore my good quality leather walking boot, and tonight it has been ruddy crucifying me - I've been hobbling around leaning on work-surfaces and tables! Funnily enough I skied for several hours at HH and didn't feel it at all once it was in the ski boot and strangely enough it was also about 36hrs later before it played up again - almost as though the skiing was of benefit to it.
It's a really odd thing - nothing tangible to point at no bruise or swelling or deformity to say 'that's why its hurting', I almost feel a fraud to say it hurts - but it DOES!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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.Megamum, Nip along and ask Hamish at Profeet in Fulham road
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Cynic, are you related to Hamish, or something? Fulham's a bit far for Megamum to 'nip' I think.
Really time for you to get a proper diagnosis, Megamum, and you're not going to get that - at least on the NHS - without a proper GP referral. The advice you've got so far, which is guesses over the internet and an informal chat over a cuppa at Hemel, really can't be classed as proper diagnoses.
Do you have custom footbeds in your ski boots? Maybe that's the answer for your normal footwear, and not just an off-the-shelf number. But you're never going to know without a proper consultation. Is it too far for you to get referred to said knowledgeable sHead? I would consult him, if I needed a podiatrist, despite his warped sense of humour! 
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Fulham Road looks about 2 hours away by mainline and underground, probably doable as a one-off, but awkward should repeat visits be required.
I've never had any form of custom foot bed made. I had some superfeet in my ski boots as a tightening measure to take up some space earlier this year, but have only just bought a slip in pair for everyday use - then this is awkward when I have to wear a variety of shoes/boots
Maybe I'll book a routine appt. to see my GP and see if I can get a referral - though I bet that will be a 3 mth wait! I'll leave it for today though as they will probably be innundated with sick people after the bank holiday.
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You know it makes sense.
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though I bet that will be a 3 mth wait! I'll leave it for today though as they will probably be innundated with sick people after the bank holiday.
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Sounds like procrastination to me get thee to the GP phone now make an appointment even if its a few days away.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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kevindonkleywood, Ouch!! OK I'll phone this afternoon, we have to call after 2pm for non-urgent appts.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Megamum, Your description sounds very much like Plantar fasciitis or Policeman's heel.
It's common. It generally gets better, and in the vast majority of cases improves with anti-inflammatories and stretches. Stretches are the most important.
What you need, though is a proper diagnosis. (And if this is PF, you need to stretch it).
I don't think you should necessarily be seeking referral as most cases are treatable perfectly well without, and orthotics aren't needed in most cases either. I certainly wouldn't go to any great expense with getting new footbeds for skiboots until the problem is settled. At this stage, if you want to throw money at the problem, I would go to a physio; but the mainstay of their advice will (should) be stretches. Lots of stretches.
I rarely need to anything other than advise with PF. You can inject the painful spot with a steroid/local anaesthetic which helps, but does involve a fairly large needle into the sole of your foot, which isn't the most pleasant thing anyone could do to you, and I hardly ever have to resort to that. Surgery is indicated even more rarely.
But, as ever, this is the internet and the usual caveats apply - this is no substitute for seeing someone IRL.
Seriously - go and see your GP. you do need a proper diagnosis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Megamum, It does sound as if it could be Plantar fasciitis - I had this in my right foot a few months ago, but as others have said, see your GP for a proper diagnosis. I found that it was noticeable putting weight on it first thing in the morning when getting out of bed. The good news as doctor eeyore says is that if it is PF it generally gets better - in my case I'm glad to say it has and I no longer experience any problems.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 3-01-12 17:22; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Well it had been feeling better and then last night I nearly keeled over in agony (did the dizziness and light headed thing and damn nearly clicked out of things), so I've booked the GP appt. I've asked to see the GP who deals with sports/boney type injuries, and I think she was one I saw a couple of years ago when I wrenched my ankle during a ski trip. So hopefully she will work out what's going on and know what to do with me. The only drawback is unless I phone for an emergency appt when I could see anyone I have to wait until the 27th Jan to see her. So I booked for the 27th.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Megamum, JulesB literally did keel over and was unable to walk on his foot at one stage.
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Hubby's was probably caused by training for the Great North Run and continuing to play squash for the next 12 months before it finally gave way. It improved over time, but never quite went away until he broke his neck, and was forced to completely rest for a couple of months. No re-occurence, and his next GNR was done with properly fitted running shoes. Oh, and he's been suffering with tennis elbow now for several months too, although that too seems to be improving without such a drastic measure.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Here
Some very good exercises if you do have PF
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stoat of the dead, Many thanks for that. 
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FAQ
