Run Run Away

Question:

In mid August 2002, while wearing rather thin, worn-out running shoes, I used my right foot to try to flatten a very sturdily built, very stiff and ultra-strong steel can. A day after this vigorous stomping, my right heel began to hurt. It still hurts when I walk or stand. Just a few weeks ago I started to take ibuprofen (600 mg) a few times a day (but I’m not so good at keeping this a regular, daily routine– sometimes I don’t take anything or take the 600 mg only once a day). I understand that one can permanently damage the fat pad in the foot under the large bone (named the *calcaneous* bone) in the heel area. I also understand that this sort of injury (called a stone bruise I think), if it should heal, can take a *LONG* time to heal. [And I also understand that such an injury might never heal-- the heel might always hurt when standing/walking/skating, etc.] Are there any useful scans — MRI? CT? — that show the condition of the injured fat pad? I’d like to know if the cushioning fat pad in my right heel is permanently damaged and will never heal or if there’s some hope that it will get better. Also, what else is therapeutic for this sort of injury? What have been the experiences of others who had/have this sort of heel injury? What worked, what didn’t work or help? Thanks, Stan

Response:

I don’t have any advice on this one… however your description of the can gave me a good laugh. Sorry to hear about your injury. Good luck! -Carl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In mid August 2002, while wearing rather thin, worn-out running shoes, I used my right foot to try to flatten a very sturdily built, very stiff and ultra-strong steel can. A day after this vigorous stomping, my right heel began to hurt. It still hurts when I walk or stand. Just a few weeks ago I started to take ibuprofen (600 mg) a few times a day (but I’m not so good at keeping this a regular, daily routine– sometimes I don’t take anything or take the 600 mg only once a day). I understand that one can permanently damage the fat pad in the foot under the large bone (named the *calcaneous* bone) in the heel area. I also understand that this sort of injury (called a stone bruise I think), if it should heal, can take a *LONG* time to heal. [And I also understand that such an injury might never heal-- the heel might always hurt when standing/walking/skating, etc.] Are there any useful scans — MRI? CT? — that show the condition of the injured fat pad? I’d like to know if the cushioning fat pad in my right heel is permanently damaged and will never heal or if there’s some hope that it will get better. Also, what else is therapeutic for this sort of injury? What have been the experiences of others who had/have this sort of heel injury? What worked, what didn’t work or help? Thanks, Stan

Response:

Come to think of it.. you may have bruised the bone, which can take a very long time to heal. Sorry for the double post. -Carl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In mid August 2002, while wearing rather thin, worn-out running shoes, I used my right foot to try to flatten a very sturdily built, very stiff and ultra-strong steel can. A day after this vigorous stomping, my right heel began to hurt. It still hurts when I walk or stand. Just a few weeks ago I started to take ibuprofen (600 mg) a few times a day (but I’m not so good at keeping this a regular, daily routine– sometimes I don’t take anything or take the 600 mg only once a day). I understand that one can permanently damage the fat pad in the foot under the large bone (named the *calcaneous* bone) in the heel area. I also understand that this sort of injury (called a stone bruise I think), if it should heal, can take a *LONG* time to heal. [And I also understand that such an injury might never heal-- the heel might always hurt when standing/walking/skating, etc.] Are there any useful scans — MRI? CT? — that show the condition of the injured fat pad? I’d like to know if the cushioning fat pad in my right heel is permanently damaged and will never heal or if there’s some hope that it will get better. Also, what else is therapeutic for this sort of injury? What have been the experiences of others who had/have this sort of heel injury? What worked, what didn’t work or help? Thanks, Stan

Response: