Heel issues - where to next? (Long)

[suzyp]

I started to have issues with my heel after running a race in mid-June.  Figured it was plantar facisitis (which I have had twice before, but 8-10 years ago).  Streched my calves, haven't really run at all since, but they were still bothering me.  Took 3 weeks off from working out (work induced, but figured it was probably for the best), went back to Crossfit three weeks ago and ran two 400m runs - one before class and one after for warm-up, cool down - and could barely walk at work later in the day.  Figured I needed more than my self-diagnosis.  (I also have not been running during CF since, I row or get on the Airdyne if there is running in a WOD, nor am I jumping at all - be it box jumps, or jumping rope.)

Go to the doctor - I went to an ortho group because I had gone there previously for other, non-related ailments.  COMPLETE waste of time - Dr. never asked questions about my activity level, excerise routine, etc. and basically showed me how to stretch my calf against a wall, which I'm pretty sure I learned to do when I was 9.  Completely unhelpful.

Friday, I get a massage. My massage therapist is awesome.  I told her about my issues and apparently, my entire right calf is completely inflammed and there were "knots in my arches." She also noted tightness in my proforma/ass.  I also normally carry all of my stress in my back - the right side much more than my left.  So it seems like I am having some sort of issues with the right side of my body.

I have a completely screwed up running form.  I believe part of it is the result of some tighter than normal IT bands.  In additon, when I get tired I "swing" my right leg.  Until now, this form issue has not been a problem. and I have not gotten injured and I have run 2 half marathons (albeit rather slowly, so I figured the form was probably not helping my speed).  I think that my running form may have caught up with me and is the underlying cause of heel and other issues that are festering (aside from some tight calves).  But I'm just not sure where to go from here.  My massage therapist suggested a chiropracter, which I am a bit hestitant to do (I'm just not a chiro person, but after I got 100x more info from my massage therapist than an ortho, this is changing).  I also thought that going to a sports medicine place to work on my gait/running form may be helpful.

Thanks for reading!  Any thoughts, suggestions?

[tuggyruns]

Did your ortho do an x-ray or bone scan? I am not a doctor, but sometimes, having pain that lingers after exercise can be something that leans more towards a fracture than PF. Where exactly is your pain?

[suzyp]

Sept 3, 2013 12:46:14 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Did your ortho do an x-ray or bone scan? I am not a doctor, but sometimes, having pain that lingers after exercise can be something that leans more towards a fracture than PF. Where exactly is your pain?

He did nothing other than say "yup, sounds like plantar facisitis.  If it doesn't get better, then we'll have to do injections and you don't want that."  Um, thanks?  It was seriously the worst doctor's appointment ever.  No real explanation, no discussion of inserts, etc.

It's in my heel, sort of the back, left hand side.   And I can tell my calves, especially my right one, is tighter than normal.

[tuggyruns]

Sept 3, 2013 12:56:59 GMT -5 suzyp said:

Sept 3, 2013 12:46:14 GMT -5 tuggyruns said:

Did your ortho do an x-ray or bone scan? I am not a doctor, but sometimes, having pain that lingers after exercise can be something that leans more towards a fracture than PF. Where exactly is your pain?

He did nothing other than say "yup, sounds like plantar facisitis.  If it doesn't get better, then we'll have to do injections and you don't want that."  Um, thanks?  It was seriously the worst doctor's appointment ever.  No real explanation, no discussion of inserts, etc.

It's in my heel, sort of the back, left hand side.   And I can tell my calves, especially my right one, is tighter than normal.

I only ask b/c I had a similar experience. My pain was on the side of my heel inside the foot. I had a broken heel.

I would only say that I would definitely get an x-ray/bone scan before starting any chiro. I did have an x-ray that didn't show anything and spent a month+ going o the chiro for art on my broken foot. 

[toepick]

A sleep splint saved my life when I had major PF flareups. I actually just bought a second one so I could have one for each foot!

[Deleted]

My sports chiropractor who specializes in ART has really saved me. Your issues sound similar enough to mine that this is who I would recommend seeing first.

[katandkevin]

I would make an appt with a podiatrist. It sounds a lot like the pain I am having and I have plantar fasciitis. The injections aren't bad, but aren't great either. They hurt really bad about 24 hours after you get them. They helped me for a couple days, but that was about it. I know have inserts and am doing a bunch of other stuff. My podiatrist takes X-rays at the start of each appt so he can see what is going on and if it is muscle or bone related.

[suzyp]

Sept 3, 2013 13:43:46 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

I would make an appt with a podiatrist. It sounds a lot like the pain I am having and I have plantar fasciitis. The injections aren't bad, but aren't great either. They hurt really bad about 24 hours after you get them. They helped me for a couple days, but that was about it. I know have inserts and am doing a bunch of other stuff. My podiatrist takes X-rays at the start of each appt so he can see what is going on and if it is muscle or bone related.

Do you mind PM'ing the name of your podiatrist?  I think we're both in Houston - I have recs of who NOT to go to, but not recs for someone to actually see!

[AAM2012]

I also recommend seeing a podiatrist.