QuestionQUESTION: Hi Dr. Tsatsos:
I have maintained a great balance for several years, running and exercising. My routine for the past several years has generally been to run about 3 miles a day, 4 days a week (during the work week) and then about 10 to 13 miles on Saturday, with a cross-training gym (weights and spinning) work out on Sunday. I'm 54. I've consistently enjoyed some great, challenging routes that had no adverse affect on me physically. Even raced in August and got first in my age group (beat most 20-something-year-old women as well). All of a sudden, I have been having pain (not terrible) deep in one of my heels (kind of like a bruise feeling) and persistent, light swelling on the inside of my foot, just below the ankle bone. I haven't changed my routine, so am puzzled by this. Any idea what this could be from and any suggestions as to what steps I can take to get through this? I want to run so bad (it's been a couple weeks), but I don't want to risk ending up with a chronic condition. The pain level is low and I don't have more pain in the a.m. when I get out of bed (like that associated with PF). I do have a huge uterine fibroid, which I plan on getting removed soon, and sometimes feel a nervy feeling down the back of my leg and wonder if the foot thing could be associated with that... Anyway, I haven't been running (only going to the gym and spinning) for about 2 weeks now and the condition still persists. Any insight you can give me on what this could possibly be would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a pic of the inside of my feet. The left foot is the one with the issue. The "swelling" is really just like a puffiness. It's not tight or warm, nor is there even any pain where the puffiness is.
I appreciate your help. Thank you.
Cecilia
ANSWER: Dear Cecelia,
This Orthopedic Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661, Roscoe Village 60618, Ukrainian Village 60622, Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says,
For your heel pain & ankle swelling...
It sounds like there may be some irritation in the subtalar joint-causing the swelling. Other possibilities are stress fracture of the calcaneus or some joint involvement.
Protect,Rest,Compress(like an ankle sleeve), Elevate.
Stop the spinning & try swimming or something that has the most minimal involvement of that area to allow it to quiet down.Ease up a little on the training & cross-train
Occasional anti-inflammatories, avoidance of movements that cause the pain.
Hope this helps & Good Luck!
Dr George Tsatsos, Svetlana Zats, Dr Mariano Rivera & Dr Massard
Chicago 60661, 60618 & 60622, Elmhurst 60126, Bartlett 60103 Podiatrists
Board Certified swimming or wearing a knee bin Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem. It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice. Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site. The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site. The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
Left foot - slight wel
QUESTION: Hi Dr. Tsatsos:
Thanks for the response. I forgot to attach the picture. The swelling is not on the ankle. It is just in front of the left heel on the inside of the foot. It's slight swelling. Does the location of the zwelling change your opinion of what the cause could possibly be? My feet normally have a little puffiness to this area in general on both feet anyway, but the left foot has been more so. It's just light swelling and I have a low level of pain there that is somehow connected to the pain in the center of the heel. The heel pain is within the heel, not on the surface and is probably a 2-3 on a scale of 1-10 and is not consistent (generally hurts with pressure on it). I tried a run day before yesterday and it actually felt better during the run. I don't plan on running on it again until I see some improvement. Can you tell me, based on the photo and what I have told you about the condition of my foot, what the cause could possibly be?
AnswerDear Cecelia,
This Orthopedic Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661, Roscoe Village 60618, Ukrainian Village 60622, Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says,
For your heel pain & ankle swelling...
The AM pain indicates plantar fasciitis, there may also be some irritation of the tendons that come behind the ankle and help maintain your arch. Either something changed,(increased weight, activity, shoes, running surface, etc) or possibly just a sports injury.
Protect,Rest,Compress(like an ankle sleeve-arch support), Elevate.
Do stretching exercises for the plantar fasciitis.
Stop the spinning-can aggravate running injuries.
Try swimming or something that has the most minimal involvement of that area to allow it to quiet down. Ease up a little on the training & cross-train
Occasional anti-inflammatories, avoidance of movements that cause the pain.
Hope this helps & Good Luck!
Dr George Tsatsos, Svetlana Zats, Dr Mariano Rivera & Dr Massard
Chicago 60661, 60618 & 60622, Elmhurst 60126, Bartlett 60103 Podiatrists
Board Certified swimming or wearing a knee bin Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem. It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice. Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site. The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site. The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.
