Suggest Treatment For Severe Pain In The Right Foot

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Without being able to examine him, it is hard to say, but I can tell you what is most common for causing pain in the heal: plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the fascia which is connective tissue. This connects with both the adjacent (front part) of the sole of the foot as well as the connective tissue of the achilles tendon. Small tears happen in the fascia, from inadequate stretching, shoes that allow too much torsion, standing on one's feet a long time, and other causes. Sometimes a bone spur forms in response.

When a person goes to bed, the little tears form scar tissue overnight. Then when they stand on their foot in the morning, the tears reopen and so they usually have more pain, or reexperience pain, when they first get up.

Treatment is stretching exercises, and supportive shoes (that don't allow for much twisting). NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can help too - be sure to take only after there is food in the stomach.

If that doesn't work, a special rigid shoe support can help (in addition to the stretches). A rigid metatarsal arch support can help.

If that isn't enough, it's time to see either a podiatrist or an orthopedic doctor. They may tape the foot. They may also give a steroid shot into the heel to decrease inflammation. While this can help the pain, getting a steroid shot repeatedly will decrease the fat pad in the heal, and it won't come back, so it should really only be used for extreme unremitting pain. Another treatment is a night time splint to keep the achilles and plantar fascia stretched overnight (by keeping the foot flexed - the opposite of pointing one's foot). The doctor will also take an X-ray and if there is a significant spur, may recommend surgery.

I am attaching a link with information on the stretching exercises. I think you will have to copy and paste it into your address bar.

http://www.yyyyy.org/yyyyyy/yyyyyy/yyyyyy-of-the-heel/Pages/yyyyyy-yyyyyyy.aspx

There are other causes of heel pain too. So if the stretches aren't helping, then he should go in to be examined.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can hep further.

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