Hello XXXXXXX,

Thank you for posting on XXXXXXX
First of all I will like to start by saying that I do not think gatorade drink is responsible for his pains.
From your description, he is probably having plantar fasciitis (even though very rare in 13 year old). Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. It occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult.
You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have:
- Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
- Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
- Sudden weight gain or obesity
- Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
- Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles

To manage the condition you will need to continue the ibuprofen already started (if maximum dosage not yet reached, you should attend it), your son should do heel and feet stretching exercises, wear splints at night, apply ice on affected areas (do this twice or trice daily for 10-15 mins), wear shoes with good support and cushion, resting as much as possible for at least a week etc.
If these measures do not work, you will need to consult an orthopedic surgeon for other possible management options.
X-ray and/or CT scan could be done to determine if specific lesion.
Antineuralgic medicines maybe include in your treatement.
His past medical history is noncontributing to his present condition.

Hope this helps and wish your son a better health
Dr Nsah

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Sorry for the misunderstanding. What your son is probably manifesting right is a form of peripheral neuropathy (nerve disorder) but the cause has to be investigated as we might be dealing with an autoimmune disorder. The specific type of neuropathy will be hard to tell. But given his age and the fact that there is no direct relationship between his past medical history, daily activities ( no notion of trauma) and the pain, then it might be an idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Guillaine-barre syndrome needs to be excluded as it often starts from the toes and gradually moves to the proximal extremities (pins, needles, numbness, pain etc are the classic symptoms).
If pain is neurogenic then ibuprofen would not help but rather antineuralgic medication like carbamazepine, nucleo CMP forte etc will be better indicated. An emergency consultation with a neurologist is essential as it might be the beginning of a more serious condition like guillaine-barre syndrome.
If the pains do not touch any part of his soles then it is not plantar fasciitis as you rightly said.

Hope this helps
Dr Nsah

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Hello XXXXXXX
You are welcome.
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness, pains and other symptoms. May start from the feet and legs move upward. But as I said this is just a differential as your son is not presenting with typical symptoms.
You can get an appointment any time soon with your doctor.

I was happy to help you.

Dr Nsah

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