Fitness Files: Diary notes on a troublesome heel

In April I felt a hint of discomfort, but since mid May, I have a constant reminder. My right heel hurt.

I believe in magic. It’s worked for 71 years. I don’t name my infirmities. I don’t ice them or take painkillers. Ignored, physical problems slink away.

This time, the heel pain jabbed, stabbed, persisted. In April, I resolved to go on a course of Ibuprofen. Started with two pills at breakfast, but forgot follow-up doses. Heel pain lingered.

The ache diminished with exercise, so I kept running and hiking.

Gave the heel two weeks rest in May because of vacation and babysitting. The pain went along on vacation and babysitting my granddaughter. Not better, not worse but there.

Finally, I went to the podiatrist who previously cured my metatarsal burn by relieving pressure on my bunion joint with a silicon “toe buddy.”

He handed me a heel cup. “Wear arch supports all the time,” he directed.

I planned outfits around lace-ups that accommodated inserts and wore the heel cup religiously. No change. Still sore.

Returned to the doctor. Got an X-ray, which showed a half-inch dagger-like projection from the heel bone that curved up toward the arch, aptly named a bone spur. Doctor said, “I can give you a cortisone shot, cortisone pills or 450-dollar orthotics with a divot in the heel.”

“What would you do if it were your foot?” I asked.

“I’d take the pills,” he said.

I filled the prescription, certain I’d get relief. Took cortisone to the last dose. Pain still present. No worse, no better.

Last Saturday, my son, helping with garage cleanup, named me “Peg-leg.” I was limping. Over sandwiches he said, “I can’t believe you haven’t looked up heel pain.”

Via his iPhone, he sent me the information that heel spurs are common in runners with fallen arches, badly worn shoes and increased age. My profile.

I’m spoiled by being able to push my body to perform. I wear worn-out shoes, run through minor pains, keep moving.

*

On Wednesday, I bought some heavily padded, $150 running shoes and $42 “plantar socks,” throwing money at the problem. Heel pain got worse. For the first time, I could not finish my run. I was defeated.

I wanted to hike Saturday when Bill from my running group was to meet Brad from my hiking group.

Serious now, I made myself concentrate on the same Internet sources I use for this column.

WebMD: “The heel pain associated with heel spurs may not respond well to rest. “

WebMD has a video of stretching exercises, so:

I will stretch daily.

I will take two Ibuprofen at each meal for a week.

I will dump worn-down shoes.

I already wear orthotics.

I will explore taping.

Other factors in heel pain are high arches, obesity and diabetes, none of which contribute to my problem.

*

Continuing to approach the problem backward, I finally called the podiatrist’s office to find my diagnosis. His nurse called it plantar fasciitis, which the Mayo Clinic says “involves pain and inflammation in a thick band of tissue called the plantar fascia that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects to the heal bone and toes.”

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says, “Heel spurs are not the cause of plantar fasciitis pain,” though a repetitive impact activity such as running can cause damage to the plantar fascia. Inflammation is the body’s response. An inflamed fascia hurts.

*

I’m on my third day of Ibuprofen, a local spa provided me with foot massage sessions and prickly half-balls to stand on for exercise. No running for two days. Heel feels better. I’m going hiking tomorrow.

*

Hiked 12-mile Black Star Canyon trail. Good company, plenty of laughs and wildflowers. Heel improved. Not cured. Will report more in the future.

Newport Beach resident CARRIE LUGER SLAYBACK is a retired teacher who ran the Los Angeles Marathon at age 70, winning first place in her age group. Her blog is [email protected].