Foot/heel injury/slightly sore achilles tendon

KMR · 09-19-2009, 01:42 PM

About a month or so ago, I noticed the heel of my right foot hurt at the end of several of my work shifts (I do a lot of standing at work), but then it went away. This week, it is back. It doesn't happen until near the end of my shifts (which are normally around 6-7 hours). It is like I stepped on something on the ball of my foot, and it makes me limp a little bit. The pain is not major or intense, but it is enough to make me limp a tad (because of the spot in the heel).

Once I go home and sleep on it, it is fine in the morning. And I did cardio the following days each time and it was fine (treadmill, elliptic, etc.).

Also, the last day or so, I noticed my achilles tendon has the slight bit of soreness at the same time. I am talking a very small amount of soreness (not really even pain).

It is impossible for me to avoid standing at work, but I have noticed that my gym shoes are a little worn, so maybe there isn't as much support in them, which is causing this?

Any thoughts? I am thinking of getting new shoes and cutting out the treadmill (because of the hard, unforgiving surface). I am 36, if that matters.

dartol · 09-19-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMR

About a month or so ago, I noticed the heel of my right foot hurt at the end of several of my work shifts (I do a lot of standing at work), but then it went away. This week, it is back. It doesn't happen until near the end of my shifts (which are normally around 6-7 hours). It is like I stepped on something on the ball of my foot, and it makes me limp a little bit. The pain is not major or intense, but it is enough to make me limp a tad (because of the spot in the heel).

Once I go home and sleep on it, it is fine in the morning. And I did cardio the following days each time and it was fine (treadmill, elliptic, etc.).

Also, the last day or so, I noticed my achilles tendon has the slight bit of soreness at the same time. I am talking a very small amount of soreness (not really even pain).

It is impossible for me to avoid standing at work, but I have noticed that my gym shoes are a little worn, so maybe there isn't as much support in them, which is causing this?

Any thoughts? I am thinking of getting new shoes and cutting out the treadmill (because of the hard, unforgiving surface). I am 36, if that matters.

Sound like me as I started getting into running. I finally went to a podiatrist and he prescribed custom orthodics, ice, and stretches. The stretches for the heel stuff are all angles of calf stretch, including pushing your knee as far forward as you can while keeping your foot flat. Work shoes could add to it. The amount of support you need depends on your particular foot and how much you pronate (roll the foot inward as you walk). You could give some Superfeet insoles a try. The custom ones are expensive if your insurance doesn't cover them.

Darren

anmol_khanna · 09-21-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMR

About a month or so ago, I noticed the heel of my right foot hurt at the end of several of my work shifts (I do a lot of standing at work), but then it went away. This week, it is back. It doesn't happen until near the end of my shifts (which are normally around 6-7 hours). It is like I stepped on something on the ball of my foot, and it makes me limp a little bit. The pain is not major or intense, but it is enough to make me limp a tad (because of the spot in the heel).

Once I go home and sleep on it, it is fine in the morning. And I did cardio the following days each time and it was fine (treadmill, elliptic, etc.).

Also, the last day or so, I noticed my achilles tendon has the slight bit of soreness at the same time. I am talking a very small amount of soreness (not really even pain).

It is impossible for me to avoid standing at work, but I have noticed that my gym shoes are a little worn, so maybe there isn't as much support in them, which is causing this?

Any thoughts? I am thinking of getting new shoes and cutting out the treadmill (because of the hard, unforgiving surface). I am 36, if that matters.

- how is flexiblity of your calves?
- when doing calf exercise concentrate on bit where calves go down

justboo2u · 09-21-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMR

About a month or so ago, I noticed the heel of my right foot hurt at the end of several of my work shifts (I do a lot of standing at work), but then it went away. This week, it is back. It doesn't happen until near the end of my shifts (which are normally around 6-7 hours). It is like I stepped on something on the ball of my foot, and it makes me limp a little bit. The pain is not major or intense, but it is enough to make me limp a tad (because of the spot in the heel).

Once I go home and sleep on it, it is fine in the morning. And I did cardio the following days each time and it was fine (treadmill, elliptic, etc.).

Also, the last day or so, I noticed my achilles tendon has the slight bit of soreness at the same time. I am talking a very small amount of soreness (not really even pain).

It is impossible for me to avoid standing at work, but I have noticed that my gym shoes are a little worn, so maybe there isn't as much support in them, which is causing this?

Any thoughts? I am thinking of getting new shoes and cutting out the treadmill (because of the hard, unforgiving surface). I am 36, if that matters.

As someone who screwed up mine from 1) working in an environment where I was striking the heel with heavy metal boxes and then 2) bicycling home, whereafter I would 3) go on an 8-mi run...
I would suggest skipping the treadmill in favor of the elliptical (if you tend to keep your foot flat on the treads).

Not necessarily forever, of course, but give that some time...
(It took more than 3 years for mine to stop 'complaining', but that was me...

)

Tho I can claim that there has been no problem with it for the last few years... so I'm doing something right!

Shane222 · 09-21-2009, 08:20 AM

Be careful with that achilles tendon, especially at our age.

I ignored my aching tendon, over-used it, and now have full blown achilles tendonitis on both sides. I haven't done any leg exercises for 10 weeks and am on an arthritis medication to control the inflamation and it is very slowly getting better. That tendon is huge and doesn't get any blood flow, so heal time is long.

I'm just telling you this, because if I could do it again, at first sign of any aching I would have babied my tendons until they were 100%.

ironwill2008 · 09-21-2009, 10:49 AM

Probably your shoes.

Xyphis · 09-21-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

Probably your shoes.

x 2

You note a bit of wear on the shoes. Older shoes usually mean lesser support. Support can affect your plantar fascia (It connects to the anterior portion of your heel, kinda close to where you are talking about). Chronic Achilles Tendonopathy also affects that area although it typically improves through exertion. Both improve with rest.

But as Ironwill states, try a new pair of shoes with good support. As the two pathologies require two differing areas of care (arch support/heel support) I would seek professional advice if sxs persist.

I am not a physician on this forum and you should trust my advice as far as you could spit a rat.

jellodirt · 09-21-2009, 08:51 PM

I within the last year have been having trouble with my feet and lower legs, shin splints, sore heel/arches, and tight calves. I've been stretching a lot for my calves/shins and wrapping tape around my arches which has made the problems pretty much non existant.

elabrandon · 09-23-2009, 12:27 AM

See the thread on Plantar Fasciatis in this section. There are a lot of great, helpful responses there as well as a link for stretching and nursing of the Achilles tendon.
If you have heel discomfort, you've in the beginning stages of plantar fasciatis as well.
Don't ignore it, it just gets worse quickly.

KMR · 09-24-2009, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, everyone. It has felt a bit better the last few days, but I am definitely gonna take some preemptive steps, regardless.

EBA84 · 09-24-2009, 10:57 AM

Sounds like your shoes like everyone else said. I ruptured an Achilles tendon 5 years ago. I wouldn't wish that injury on anyone. About 8 months till I could train legs hard again. Definitely take preventive measures to keep it in check.

KMR · 10-16-2009, 09:58 AM

Update:

The in-soles didn't really work that well, as my heel would still be sore as hell when I worked, and it was starting to get a tad sore in the mornings (not "OMG, it hurts like hell" sore, like some who have had the same thing described it, but aching enough to be kind of annoying), so I went to the foot doctor yesterday. I do have plantar fasciitus. He gave me a cortisone shot for it and a list of stretching exercises to do every day. My case of it is not that bad, so he said the shot should take care of it. It is still sore this morning, as it apparently takes a few days for the shot to fully take effect, but I am hopeful that this will take care of the problem.