Suggest Treatment For Severe Heel Pain After Playing Soccer

Posted on Tue, 10 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 Answered on

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter is an active 15 year old athlete and competitive soccer begins this week. For a year or so, she has been struggling with acute heal pain. We have taken her twice to an orthopedic surgeon who insists that it is Plantar Fasciitis. I too struggle with this, but am still worried my daughter may be misdiagnosed. The telltale sign of pain upon getting up in the morning is not so prevalent. Instead, she complains of sever pain in the evenings after playing soccer or running. She did have an xray about a year ago and Dr. saw no fractures. She has now developed shin splints and pain radiating into her ankles. HELP!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Foot MRI is needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.

If the pain is felt by your daughter is located underside of the heel, then your daughter's Orthopedist is probably right it can be mostly plantar fascitis.

If the pain is felt at back of your daughter's heel, then most probably it is Achilles' tendinitis.

Other less probable causes include tarsal tunnel syndrome ( if there is pins and needles sensation on foot), bursitis, Achilles' tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy.

A foot MRI could give the correct diagnosis in this case, especially at your daughter's age is indispensable to predict further management and treatment of your daughter's concerns.

If there are neurological symptoms too (foot burning/ tingling/ pins and needles) a nerve conduction study ( EMG) should be done,

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (54 minutes later)

She has soccer everyday for 2 to 4 hours. Should I give her ibuprophen an hour before soccer? How many mg? are there things we can be doing at home? he wants me to massage her feet but cries when I do. I can feel sort of raised areas when I push hard (not like rocks, probably just scare tissue?).

she did have an MRI a year ago and showed no fractures. Why isn't she feeling the intense pain in morning the second feet hit the floor like I do with my fasciitis?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You could give her 400 mg Ibuprofen.

Detailed Answer:
Thabks for asking back.

You could give 400 mg of Ibuprofen if your daughter is not allergic to it.

Raised area during massage could be caused by thickening of muscular fascia.

You can try putting your daughter's legs in salted water ( hyper saline) 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day.

Your daughter had done x-Rays or Magnetic resonance?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows subtle tissue damage, mainly soft tissues ( muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, fascias, and bones).

Hope I helped you. Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (44 minutes later)

She had both. The pain cleared up a little but has returned with a vengance. Pain in feet, ankles and shins. Anything we could be doing at home?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
At home stretching exercises and ice use.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

Simple things you can try at home about plantar fasciitis are Achilles' tendon stretching exercises, use of ice for about 5 minutes when pain aggravates.

Another procedure I mentioned before is putting feet into salted water and slight massage for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.

Hope this helps.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E