Heel pain - from running?

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2005-05-06 10:54 AM

Master
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Brooklyn, NY
Subject: Heel pain - from running?
I'm going to a Doc soon for this but wondered if any of you experienced sufferers could give me a clue in the meantime.

Brief history - I'm 36 now, broke my ankle when I was 16 (foot was on backwards), got three screws holding the skinny bone (behind the shin bone), together. All my life this has been my stong foot due to the healing process until now.

When I started feeling comfortable running (February), I would occasionally get a sharp (nerve-like), pain in the middle of my right heel (where the heel meets the ground), especially if I didn't warm up properly. It never really cuased a problem since the pain would quickly disappear after adjusting they way I would land my foot and about 50yd into the run.
Nowadays (last three weeks), I don't feel the pain while running anymore (actually very comfortable), but it sure has grown itnoto my ankle area from the moment I stop running. It stays there for at least a few days (feels like I twisted my ankle bad), to the point that I've been limping since Wednesday (today is Friday).

My second tri is in three weeks and would really hate to miss it but if I have to then that's what will happen.

Any guesses, similar experiences in the meantime?

Thanks,
Eddie

2005-05-06 11:05 AM
in reply to: #153595

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Subject: RE: Heel pain - from running?
Hey,

First of all...good for you for putting a call in to your doctor. That will end up getting you better, quicker than anything else!

I really couldn't make a call on your ankle, especially since I have never examined you, or seen your films, etc. I'm definitely not your doctor, and I'm not giving you medical advice. Bad idea on the internet :^)

That said, I have seen a couple of patients with similar stories. Depending on where the break was, the fixation, and any change in your resulting mechanics, you could be developing a little arthritis. Another possibility is a stress fracture...something that might make you doc suspicious for this is if you have tenderness on the bone if you tap near where it hurts, or if you tap a little farther away. There are other possibilities your doc will talk to you about, but these are probably the most common things off the top of my head, given the little history you gave.

Either way, if your injury is making you limp, your body is telling you something. Quit running on it and go see your doc. He/she is the only one that is really going to figure this out and get you back out there pain-free.

2005-05-06 11:10 AM
in reply to: #153602

Master
1384
1000100100100252525
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Heel pain - from running?
Thanks Doc,

I'm much better today (no limp), but can tells it's definatly still there. I will lay off running until I see the specialist but until then, I guess I have a lot laps to put in the pool (which helps heal the pain too), and miles on the bike.

Eddie
2005-05-06 11:10 AM
in reply to: #153595

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Gardner KS (near Kansas City)
Subject: RE: Heel pain - from running?
bummer - could be a number of things - tight calf muscles, plantar facitis, change in your gait from different shoes, different terrain, speed or distance - swelling of tissue putting pressure on a nerve - good news is that you can try many things, many of which you may be doing a little already - proper warm up and stretching to get the blood flowing, proper recovery with massage, strecthing, and an ice pak to cool the jets after a run - I have had similar issues and the ice massage worked well - I now wear the soft arch pads from www.roadrunnersports.com - not only when I run but all day long - good luck
2005-05-06 11:23 AM
in reply to: #153595

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Subject: RE: Heel pain - from running?
One more thing...I have an article on my site I give to my athletes/people in general who are going to see their doc. May give you some tips on organizing your visit so that you get the most bang for your $$$. If you got to my site and click on the "articles" header, it is the first one that pops up.

Phil
2005-05-06 11:47 AM
in reply to: #153620

Master
1384
1000100100100252525
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Heel pain - from running?
Very cool reads doc. I'm planning my little description right now.

Thanks,
Eddie

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