Well, here I sit just waiting for my Orientation (CCT) class date from AFCP. My question is that the back of my heel (not the achilles tendon) is extremely tender and painful! I start my runs and it kills my heel until I get going and then it goes away. But, it comes and goes and even getting out of bed or being off of it for any extended period of time just getting started I have to put most of my weight on the ball of my foot until it seems to "warm-up". That possible 29MAY class is getting close and I don't need any added obstacles to overcome. Any info or advice? Thanks guys!

Go see the flight doc, then take the motrin he gives you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

It sounds like Plantar Faciitis. Although it could be your 'heel spur' too but I've had the Plantar Faciitis and that's what it sounds like. The flight doc will be better able to diagnose it. I find that before bed-time if I use ice to message the heel, take motrin then head to bed things feel better in the morning. The mornings are the worst as far as the pain goes. In the morning when the pain's at its' worst that if I knead the painful area before standing up it also helps.

Might also just be a bruise...your running shoes might be getting old. Not enough cushion for the heel.

As the resident PT let me share a few things. First off, the Flight Doc won't know a bit about it unless he has had it before, or did a significantly long orthopedic rotation.

What you have does sound like Plantar Fasciitis, especially when you tell me that your symptoms are worse in the AM. How to get rid of it? Look at your shoes first. If you have high arches you'll need a good support for the arch and a highly cushioned shoe, which also means they won't last as long (6 mo. max). If you have flat feet, you'll need a shoe that offers better suupport at the expense of cushioning. Use the NSAIDs (Motrin, Aleve, et al) on a routine basis. You can use an ice bath after runs to help calm it down. Also, put a tennis ball on ground and roll foot front to back with increasing pressure (tolerable, not overly painful) to stretch the P. Fascia. Insure you have good Gastroc And Soleus flexibility. Most of us know to stretch the Calf with the knee straight, that will stretch the Gastroc good, but not so much with the Soleus. In the same position for the Gastroc stretch, just bend the knee slightly and you will feel the stretch lower in the calf.

CK

Cratec, CK is on the money, I have had the same symptom in the past which radiated from the heel and along my arch. PF was my guess. as the pain subsided further into a run as the tendon stretched. I used the tennis ball routine with excellent results, give it a try! I too am hoping for the May 29 CCT orientation class, good luck!