After my initial high from visiting the Orthopedic Surgeon and finding out about the Cortisone shot, I decided to do some research.  I found out that it isn’t actually recommend and that it tends to weaken the Achilles tendon, resulting in ruptures.  This was rather depressing to find out.

I decided to seek out advice from various people, including my dad who is a GP and the great folks at RunningAHEAD.  I also asked my Ortho about it and he mentioned that the tendon ruptures are actually associated more with shots into the tendon 2-3″ above where my shot would be.

I was was told by multiple people that it can hurt quite a bit, and being a wuss when it comes to pain, that is definitely a factor to be considered.

I decided to go ahead with the shot under the following conditions:

• I would only get ONE shot in my right heel.  I may get one in my left heel in the future, but I’ll only do one shot in any given area.  I’m hoping that one shouldn’t cause an issue with tendon weakness.
• I’ll see how the shot works out and if I find that it doesn’t help or the pain returns, then I’ll explore other options or simply give up on running.

I made the appointment and went this morning to get it.  After all the build up of people telling me how it would hurt, including my Ortho who said it would sting, it was actually a very easy procedure.  I felt a prick from the first needle that he used with an anesthetic, but after that initial prick, I felt very little.  To be honest, I don’t know all the fuss was about with regards to the pain.

My heel is a little sore right now (an hour later) and I imagine it will be this way throughout the day, but I’m really glad there was no pain and that it didn’t hurt like everyone else said it would.  And believe me, if there was pain involved, I would know…..I’m a huge wuss when it comes to needles and pain!!

So, now I will rest the heel for a couple days and my Ortho siad  I can run again on Saturday.

My fingers are crossed and we’ll see how this works out…..

I finally went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon today and I was able to get a proper diagnosis as to what I have. Contrary to what the radiologists reading of the x-ray I had done a couple weeks ago, I actually have a bone spur on my right heel that appears to have actually fractured. I also have bone spur on my left heel.

The doctor gave me a few options that include:

• Cortisone shot
• Physical Therapy
• Surgery

I didn’t have the cortisone shot right away, but I plan to go and get it done on Thursday.

Even though I have bone spur, I am actually very relieved. After all this time of just guessing what was wrong, I have a proper diagnose and can actually purse a proper course of action.

With the cortisone shot I should be able to resume running. This actually has me quite excited!!

EDIT: I forgot to add, he also suggested Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, but mentioned it was very expensive and insurance companies wouldn’t pay for it as it’s considered experimental.

I’m currently on vacation in Trinidad and my dad who is a doctor suggested I get my heel x-rayed while in Trinidad…..it actually costs the equivalent of US$20 to get it done.

So, I had both heels x-rayed and it turns out that I do not have bone spur on my heel. My father suggested I get an MRI which should show what is actually wrong.  I’ll do that once I get back to the US.

I haven’t been running for quite some time and I still feel soreness and stiffness at the back of my heel.

As some people have noticed, I haven’t been running for several weeks.  My right heel started to act up again so I’ve stopped running and I have been doing some elliptical work for exercise.

Today I woke up and my heel was stiff, but then a few hours later (I’m a bit slow) I realized that it was my “left” heel that was stiff!  My left heel is the one that has always been good and it was my right heel that was the one giving me all the problems.  So, now it seems I have two bum heels!

I pretty sure my left heel is achilles tendonitis.   It’s just very stiff and sore in the mornings.  My right heel is the one with what I think is a bone spur which lately, seems to be getting bigger!  I’m going to make a dilligent effort to ensure I stretch my achilles tendon every time I exercise, but part of me knows I should probably lay off the elliptical.

I turn 40 within the next 2 months and unfortunately this old body is starting to show its age!