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What Causes Severe Pain In The Feet In An Elderly Person?
Hello, I'm Lane a 58 yr. old male,wt.323,6ft. when I get out of bed every morning,I can't hardly walk,because my feet hurt bad.I've tried over the counter nsaids,no relief.I've been to a podiatry.he just told me to lose wt.I am on my feet all day.I been fitted for shoes,three times in 6 months buying insoles that they recommend My wife feels it's plantar fastists.excuse my spelling.what can I do for this.I'm tired of having my feet hurt all the time.You can email me through my wife's email,listed below.
posted on
Fri, 23 Sep 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 27 Oct 2016
Answered on
Wed, 2 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Hi there,
Your wife may be right, it does sound like plantar fasciitis, especially if the pain is on the soles more at the heel and arch area. Your podiatrist is also right that losing weight is the way to go, because plantar fasciitis is basically a disease of overuse. The medication will only bring down the inflammation temporarily but if you continue to abuse your feet it will never go away. Losing weight will take some burden off them, as will reducing the need to walk long distances at work. Some people find that physiotherapy helps, but that is also for temporary relief.
If you need stronger medication for now, something like Celebrex or Arcoxia may work better than regular NSAIDs. Sometimes plantar fasciitis that has been present for a long time causes spurs in the heel bone, which can be confirned with an X-ray.
Regardless of whether it is just plantar fasciitis or calcaneal spurs, you need to deal with this in a way that will give you long term benefits. Take a hard look at your eating habits (cut out sugars first), and get into some non weight bearing exercises like swimming or rowing and cycling. Take charge of your health.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
Your wife may be right, it does sound like plantar fasciitis, especially if the pain is on the soles more at the heel and arch area. Your podiatrist is also right that losing weight is the way to go, because plantar fasciitis is basically a disease of overuse. The medication will only bring down the inflammation temporarily but if you continue to abuse your feet it will never go away. Losing weight will take some burden off them, as will reducing the need to walk long distances at work. Some people find that physiotherapy helps, but that is also for temporary relief.
If you need stronger medication for now, something like Celebrex or Arcoxia may work better than regular NSAIDs. Sometimes plantar fasciitis that has been present for a long time causes spurs in the heel bone, which can be confirned with an X-ray.
Regardless of whether it is just plantar fasciitis or calcaneal spurs, you need to deal with this in a way that will give you long term benefits. Take a hard look at your eating habits (cut out sugars first), and get into some non weight bearing exercises like swimming or rowing and cycling. Take charge of your health.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Teh
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