Dear doctor, I am male of age 70 years having body weight 61 kg and height 5 feet. Have diabetes, bp, cholesterol and hypothyroidism and taking medications. As per blood report dt 29/12/22, hb1ac 6.5,total cholesterol 119. T3-88, t4-8.1 tsh-6.19 bp is 130/67. Presently suffering from left heel pain with some stiffness in calf. Rest reduces this pain but for diabetes control I am to walk hence is it advisable to remain idle at home for long to give rest to the heel. I am not able to decide what will be best course of action. Presently I am not taking any medicine to alleviate the pain. Request your kind advise on treatment of heel pain. Regards s k majumdar.

Dr. Julie Mercy J DavidPhysiotherapist26yrs exp

91% (40452 ratings)

Ask Free Question

Stretching and strengthening exercises or use of specialized devices may provide symptom relief. These include: physical therapy. A physical therapist can instruct you in a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles, which stabilize your ankle and heel. A therapist might also teach you to apply athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot. Night splints. Your physical therapist or doctor might recommend that you wear a splint that stretches your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep. This holds the plantar fascia and achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight and facilitates stretching. Orthotics. Your doctor might prescribe off-the-shelf or custom-fitted arch supports (orthotics) to help distribute pressure to your feet more evenly. Injections. Injecting a type of steroid medication into the tender area can provide temporary pain relief. Multiple injections aren't recommended because they can weaken your plantar fascia and possibly cause it to rupture. More recently, platelet-rich plasma has been used, under ultrasound guidance, to provide pain relief with less risk of tissue rupture. Lifestyle and home remediesto reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis, try these self-care tips: maintain a healthy weight. Lose weight if you're overweight or obese to minimize stress on your plantar fascia. Choose supportive shoes. Avoid high heels. Buy shoes with a low to moderate heel, good arch support and shock absorbency. Don't go barefoot, especially on hard surfaces. Don't wear worn-out athletic shoes. Replace your old athletic shoes before they stop supporting and cushioning your feet. If you're a runner, buy new shoes after about 400 to 500 miles of use. Change your sport. Try a low-impact sport, such as swimming or bicycling, instead of walking or jogging. Apply ice. Hold a cloth-covered ice pack over the area of pain for 15 to 20 minutes three or four times a day or after activity. Or try ice massage. Freeze a water-filled paper cup and roll it over the site of discomfort for about five to seven minutes. Regular ice massage can help reduce pain and inflammation. Stretch your arches. Simple home exercises can stretch your plantar fascia, achilles tendon and calf muscles.  

1 person found this helpful