My feet are failing me.

[Go Devil]

Hello Gentlemen,

I have searched previous threads and am still in need of advice if there is any to offer.

I did a good job of mangling my feet ( twists, strains, sprains, and fractures) and knees while on active duty. My Plantar Fasciitis finally subsided and I have stopped the heavy doses of Ibuprofin.

My current employment still allows me to beat my feet through the woods.
The terrain is now the spurs and draws of Southern Indiana.

My Clothing and Sales boots finally gave up the ghost last year and I am unable to find an exact replacement. I don't buy boots unless I can try them on first. No Px benefit, don't trust mail order, no trusted boots.
I finally settled on a pair of Vasque hiking boots.

I have been happy with the boots, I still roll the ankles on occasion, the knee caps still feel like they are going to pop off like bottle caps when climbing, and have felt normal until a few months ago when I started having signifigant pain on the back side of both heels while climbing. The pain subsides when moving on horizontal ground.
The disturbing pain is in the morning or after a long trip in the truck. As I take those first steps for 30-60 minutes the pain is magnificent and reminds me of the PF only on the back side of my heels.

Is this possibly a boot problem or have I contracted another dose of PF or something new?

My wallet does not have the opportunity to lay-up and heal. I am without health insurance so all medical expenses are out of my pocket.


Any advice is greatly appreciated,

Go Devil

[jatx]

I have been battling issues with my left ATFL for almost two years. If your gait has changed, that can cause the wraparound pain that you describe. So can an accessory navicular. Both of these possibilities are worth discussing with your doc or physical therapist, assuming you do not have an achilles injury, as well. Good luck.

[Eagle5US]

Plantar Fasciitis pain is worst when you have been non weight bearing for any given period of time allowing the plantar fascia to "draw up". Your placing weight on it again then stretches it back out thus tugging on your (no doubt) spurred calcaneus.

There are orthotics (foot stretchers) you can wear at night called night splints. Otherwise, roll a frozen juice can under your foot to reduce inflammation and stretch out your feet before taking your first steps in the morning or after a long drive.
You have a problem that may go away with podiatric intervention...I wish you luck.

Eagle

[JMI]

Had it for 4 years.....still comes back from time to time.

[sofmed]

Do you have flat feet? In general, how is your arch? Do you do any stretching before or after your forays into the woods, especially after being on rough ground?

The right fit of boot is important, as well as the proper insole for your arch type. Is there a sports/shoe related shop near you? Here, close to Bragg we have the Athlete's Foot, which has a floor pad monitored by PC which can read your walk/foot type and then they can suggest what type of shoe/boot and insole type would be best for you. If you have anything close to that it might be a good idea to look into it.

Eagle hit the nail on the head with his suggestions. I've had to use that means of pain relief before myself. It works wonders. Jatx's advice hits home as well.

Wishing you the best!

Mick

[Go Devil]

Thank you all for your response to this thread.

According to my internet searches I do not have Flat Feet. I have never used arch supports (no arch pain), but I do use Sorbothane insoles in all of my boots and shoes. I also stretch before events and training.

I've found a few stores locally that offer fittings as suggested and have also located a podiatrist that is willing to accept my lack of insurance.

Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge.

I will update this thread when I've learned something about my lame sticks.

Go Devil

[Doczilla]

Where you describe the pain- on the back of your heels, seems not to suggest plantar fasciitis, which would be at the FRONT of your heel on the sole of your foot. This sounds more like you have pain where the achilles tendon inserts on the posterior part of the calcaneus. That seems to go with the increased pain when going up hills, which will stretch this out more that walking on flat ground. Does this sound correct?

'zilla

[Go Devil]

Doczilla,

If you are asking this question of me, the pain location is as you stated.
During the confirmed case of PF while on active duty the pain was towards the front of the heel. I wasn't sure if this could be the same thing.
I associated the symptoms with PF due to the time they occured and also the duration of the pain.

Go Devil

[Eagle5US]

Agreed...

Front of he heel Plantar Fasciitis
Back of the heel, perhaps achilles tendonitis - perhaps I misread the original post.

Please clarify because after a 14 hr day in the ED I am still confused reading the thread.

Thanks-
Eagle

[Go Devil]

Hello Eagle,

Severe pain on back side ( not bottom ) of both heels while moving uphill.
Little pain on back side ( not bottom ) of both heels while moving on level terrain.

Severe pain on back side ( not bottom ) of both heels in the morning when feet hit the floor and slowly subsides after stretching and moving to objective.

Pain returns upon returning to activity after long rest.


Previous Plantar Fasciitis, fractures, strains, and sprains.

Change of boot style one year ago.

Change of terrain from generally flat to very hilly six moths ago.

Pain began three months ago.

Go Devil

[Doczilla]

Sounds more like a retrocalcaneal bursitis or achilles tendonitis/tendonopathy. Without examining you and taking a thorough history, there is no sure way for me to tell, and so take this for what it's worth.

This likely has more to do with the change in terrain (though boots don't help). If you can change over to athletic shoes until better, do so. You may also consider an all-terrain athletic shoe with ankle support. In addition to the usual non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (advil, aleve, or whatever, in typical doses recommended by my physician), I would pad the crap out of the back of my heel with moleskin and/or other posterior heel padding. GENTLE stretching exercises with the achilles tendon 3-4 times a week or before and after your exercise may also help.

'zilla

[Go Devil]

Update:


My feet are doing better.
I have not ventured to the podiatrist, but did change my running schedule to two miles, two days a week.
I am still in the field. I swapped the Vasque boots for my old issue boots.
Reduced the amount of up-hill travel by changing avenues of approach, but now trek longer distances to set stakes and equipment.
I was taking 1600MG of Ibuprofin per day and that is now reduced to a total for the week.

I put the Vasques on today, since the ground was really wet , set a course(+- 14 miles), headed to the shack for a shower, jumped out of the Jeep, and Bam! The pain returned.

I feel safe in believing that these high dollar Vasque boots are not compatible with my sticks and I should not wear them again.

I appreciate your assistance and advice very much, and will try to get to a PX at some point for some old school boots.

GD