I've had a heel pain that's been puzzling me and my PT for about three weeks. The pain is sensitive to pressure low on the medial side of my right heel. There is no bruising or discoloration or swelling. Simply pressing on other parts of the foot does not cause any pain. Plantar ball causes no pain, massaging calves/achilles causes no pain.
Pain came on very gradually for a week and was easily dismissible until late in a two-mile rune about three weeks ago. Pain feels a lot like a deep bruise from hitting a rock but I have no memory of any trauma that might have caused it. I run with a forefoot strike and tend not to let my heels down as much as I should when not paying attention to form.
Standing on right foot only, with heel lifted hurts more. With weight on both feet and heels lifted, no additional pain. Pushing off when walking hurts after a while. A flat landing and lift doesn't hurt as much or as quickly. I catch myself adjusting (limping) to accommodate, which aggravates my left calf and the lateral side of my right foot.
Heel hurts most in the morning, or during/after a run or longer walk (mile or more), or after sitting too long or when getting out of bed especially on the day after a run. Standing for more than 15 minutes caused pain a couple of weeks ago but I seem to be past that. Now, when heel hurts, standing makes it hurt more but when it doesn't hurt much, standing doesn't make it hurt more. After a two day rest, pain is barely noticeable but recurs when running. Ice and heat don't seem to make much short-term difference. Sleeping with a Strassburg sock might be helping a little, but if so, it's very little. Dorsiflexion of foot before getting out of bed helps. Heel has improved but not enough to resume regular training.
PT suggests that it's not plantar fasciitis, might be related to chronically tight calves/Achilles tendon, might be a stress fracture and recommends imaging if it's not significantly better after a couple more weeks. This is really cutting into my HM training.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Pain came on very gradually for a week and was easily dismissible until late in a two-mile rune about three weeks ago. Pain feels a lot like a deep bruise from hitting a rock but I have no memory of any trauma that might have caused it. I run with a forefoot strike and tend not to let my heels down as much as I should when not paying attention to form.
Standing on right foot only, with heel lifted hurts more. With weight on both feet and heels lifted, no additional pain. Pushing off when walking hurts after a while. A flat landing and lift doesn't hurt as much or as quickly. I catch myself adjusting (limping) to accommodate, which aggravates my left calf and the lateral side of my right foot.
Heel hurts most in the morning, or during/after a run or longer walk (mile or more), or after sitting too long or when getting out of bed especially on the day after a run. Standing for more than 15 minutes caused pain a couple of weeks ago but I seem to be past that. Now, when heel hurts, standing makes it hurt more but when it doesn't hurt much, standing doesn't make it hurt more. After a two day rest, pain is barely noticeable but recurs when running. Ice and heat don't seem to make much short-term difference. Sleeping with a Strassburg sock might be helping a little, but if so, it's very little. Dorsiflexion of foot before getting out of bed helps. Heel has improved but not enough to resume regular training.
PT suggests that it's not plantar fasciitis, might be related to chronically tight calves/Achilles tendon, might be a stress fracture and recommends imaging if it's not significantly better after a couple more weeks. This is really cutting into my HM training.
Any ideas or suggestions?
