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Suggest Treatment To Cure Heel Pain

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Posted on Thu, 3 Jul 2014
Question: I am having heel pain-maybe plantar fasciitis, what can I do to relieve the pain?
I exercise on an elliptical machine for 30 minutes 3-4 times per week.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Plantar fasciitis; hot and cold fomentation helps

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing.
I Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon. The problem you are having is medically known as plantar fasciitis, it is very common. In this earlier you start the treatment better the prognosis. The exact cause is not known but it may occur because of repeated small tears to fascia (long sheet of tissue deep below skin of foot).It is common in –
1. Persons who require prolong standing or walking on hard or irregular surfaces or sports such as running.
2. Deformity of foot like in high arches, tight calf muscles, flat feet, tight tendons at the back of the heel.

As far as treatment is concerned my advice for you would be-
1. Rest your feet. Limit or, if possible, stop daily activities that are causing your heel pain. Try to avoid running or walking on hard surfaces, such as concrete. Never walk bare foot that is put on your shoes as soon as you get out of bed. Try to have body weight as per your height.
2. Wear shoes with good shock absorption and the right arch support for your foot. Athletic shoes or shoes with a well-cushioned sole are usually good choices.
3. You may use silicon heel cups to cushion your heel. Use them in both shoes, even if only one foot hurts.
4. The usual medicines you may have are Ibuprofen/naproxen to relieve pain along with tablet tendocare under medical guidance.
5. You may do exercises like toe stretches, calf stretches and towel stretches, several times a day especially in the morning. For towel stretches, you pull on both ends of a rolled towel placed under the balls of foot.
6. Use hot and cold fomentation (alternate hot and cold water, make sure you end with a soak in cold water).

Hope this helps.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Regards
Dr. Chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon
Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (22 minutes later)
My hip is also bothering me, and I have had some chronic back pain for 20 years but the hip and heel pain are new. What can I do to relieve pains and recover fully?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Life style modification and exercises will help

Detailed Answer:
Hi
It’s good to see you
After going through the whole discussion, for your backache I have little suggestion-
1. Usually 1-2 days of bed rest will calm severe back pain. Do not stay off your feet for longer, though.
2. Avoid lifting weights as it imparts more strain on your back
3.Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the intervertebral disc problems. If you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
4. Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles and to provide support for your spinal column.
5. After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
6. You should maintain an optimum body weight to decrease the strain on your vertebral column causing more degeneration and arthritic changes.
7.Take balanced diet rich in calcium (1000mg/day) and vitamin D (1000 i.u. /day) along with vitaminB12, B6.

As far as hip pain is concern it needs physical examination and x-ray to look for early sign of arthritis. For now you may take glucosamine, this is a food supplement and helps in cartilage regeneration in joint. The recommended dose of glucosamine sulphate is 1500mg and chondroitin sulphate is 800-1200mg daily in divides doses. This is not a pain killer so additional medicines are required for pain control and optimum joint activity.
In your reply please tell me about the blood test done if any especially for serum uric acid.
Hope this helps.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr.chugh http://bit.ly/drmchugh



Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukesh Chugh

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 1619 Questions

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Suggest Treatment To Cure Heel Pain

Brief Answer: Plantar fasciitis; hot and cold fomentation helps Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing. I Dr.chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon. The problem you are having is medically known as plantar fasciitis, it is very common. In this earlier you start the treatment better the prognosis. The exact cause is not known but it may occur because of repeated small tears to fascia (long sheet of tissue deep below skin of foot).It is common in – 1. Persons who require prolong standing or walking on hard or irregular surfaces or sports such as running. 2. Deformity of foot like in high arches, tight calf muscles, flat feet, tight tendons at the back of the heel. As far as treatment is concerned my advice for you would be- 1. Rest your feet. Limit or, if possible, stop daily activities that are causing your heel pain. Try to avoid running or walking on hard surfaces, such as concrete. Never walk bare foot that is put on your shoes as soon as you get out of bed. Try to have body weight as per your height. 2. Wear shoes with good shock absorption and the right arch support for your foot. Athletic shoes or shoes with a well-cushioned sole are usually good choices. 3. You may use silicon heel cups to cushion your heel. Use them in both shoes, even if only one foot hurts. 4. The usual medicines you may have are Ibuprofen/naproxen to relieve pain along with tablet tendocare under medical guidance. 5. You may do exercises like toe stretches, calf stretches and towel stretches, several times a day especially in the morning. For towel stretches, you pull on both ends of a rolled towel placed under the balls of foot. 6. Use hot and cold fomentation (alternate hot and cold water, make sure you end with a soak in cold water). Hope this helps. Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query. Regards Dr. Chugh, Orthopaedic surgeon Virtual clinic http://bit.ly/drmchugh