1. < Chronic Pain

Foot/achilles pain

Posted by lestera @lestera, Jun 2, 2022

I'm a new poster here. I'm a 21 year old college student and am very active in the outdoors. I began noticing bilateral foot pain about a year ago. It seemed like a dull ache deep in the heel. After several months, I noticed my achilles were sore as well as my tendons in my wrists and hips. I also noticed that my muscles were much tighter than before and I needed to stretch several times per day. I worked in a factory setting during my summer break and the hard floor made it worse. I can not walk now without strong pain and I walk mostly on my toes...I've been to many specialists and no one knows what it is. I've had all my blood tests come back clear as well as my MRI and my EMG tests. I'm facing depression and worry about my prospects. Planter Fac. has been ruled out and I don't fit the model for Complex Regional Pain Syn. nor Erythomelalgia exactly. Anyone with a similar story or thoughts?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 2, 2022

Hello @lestera, Welcome to Connect. Your symptoms sound similar to Achilles tendinitis.

"Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs." --- Achilles tendinitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achilles-tendinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369020

Also, there is another discussion if you think this might be a possibility -- Achilles tendinitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/achilles-tendinitis/

Did I understand correctly that stretching helps with the pain? You mentioned you've seen a lot of specialist. Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or a major health facility?

REPLY
1 reply
lestera | @lestera | Jun 3, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @lestera, Welcome to Connect. Your symptoms sound similar to Achilles tendinitis. "Achilles tendinitis is an..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @lestera, Welcome to Connect. Your symptoms sound similar to Achilles tendinitis.

"Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles (uh-KILL-eez) tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs." --- Achilles tendinitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achilles-tendinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369020

Also, there is another discussion if you think this might be a possibility -- Achilles tendinitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/achilles-tendinitis/

Did I understand correctly that stretching helps with the pain? You mentioned you've seen a lot of specialist. Have you thought about seeking help at a teaching hospital or a major health facility?

Jump to this post

The first thought was planter fac. and the second was achilles tendon related issues. This was last year when I started with a podiatrist and then saw an orthopedic doctor...I had an MRI done and there seems to not be much pain when touched nor swelling in that area. So tendonitis was ruled out. I am trying to get to our nearest teaching hospital in Vermont and I am hoping to get accepted for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic...Exercise makes it worse, ice releaves it a bit as does ibuprofen. Stretching helps my calves feel better. I'm seeing a vascular guy today as my foot is cold to the touch and I'm scheduled to see a neurologist soon..

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @lestera "The first thought was planter fac. and the second was achilles tendon related issues. This was..." + (show)
@lestera

The first thought was planter fac. and the second was achilles tendon related issues. This was last year when I started with a podiatrist and then saw an orthopedic doctor...I had an MRI done and there seems to not be much pain when touched nor swelling in that area. So tendonitis was ruled out. I am trying to get to our nearest teaching hospital in Vermont and I am hoping to get accepted for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic...Exercise makes it worse, ice releaves it a bit as does ibuprofen. Stretching helps my calves feel better. I'm seeing a vascular guy today as my foot is cold to the touch and I'm scheduled to see a neurologist soon..

Jump to this post

@lestera, I hope you find answers either at the nearest teaching hospital close to you or at Mayo Clinic. Let me know if you have any questions about requesting an appointment at Mayo or if you will be submitting by physician referral.

When will you see the neurologist? I'll be interested to hear what you find out.

REPLY
lestera | @lestera | Jun 5, 2022

I submitted an application without referral and am awaiting the Mayo clinic's response. I am also waiting for responses from 2 neurologists in Burlington Vt. I will keep you posted...

REPLY
1 reply
lestera | @lestera | Jun 6, 2022
In reply to @lestera "I submitted an application without referral and am awaiting the Mayo clinic's response. I am also..." + (show)
@lestera

I submitted an application without referral and am awaiting the Mayo clinic's response. I am also waiting for responses from 2 neurologists in Burlington Vt. I will keep you posted...

Jump to this post

Well I didn't get accepted at the Mayo Clinic...Not sure why. Should I try Jacksonville? Or Cleveland? or somewhere else?

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