I just found out what I thought might have been heel spurs, are actually “pump bump”
What that is, is boney protrusions on the back of my heels where apparently my pumps rub the back of my foot…
Want to hear something funny? Well…I don’t wear heels…I hate pumps with a passion…and don’t…actually have never owned a pair in my life!
The person I spoke to also said that it is common amongst skiers and skaters…HA I am the most unathletic person I know…and I haven’t had a pair of skates on in YEARS as they cause my feet to cramp…sigh
So…Now I have these protrusions on my heels…that cause me pain…I can get orthodics, that are $400…covered if written by a family doctor…which I technically don’t have right now…
I have been researching online about it…and surgery can be an option, but apparently over 30% of ppl think it doesn’t help, and 14% of those think it actually got worse…and then there is the problem of it being so close to your achellis tendon…alot of ppl don’t want to operate around there…
sigh
I don’t know…
But what I am going to suggest to all of you out there…is be careful of what you wear on your feet! Hard backed shoes are bad…anything that rubs your heel over and over again…don’t wear them…and when possible…DONT WEAR PUMPS…
This is a horrible thing that is causing me a good dose of pain…and is not easily remedied…take care of your feet…
It may sound strange…but it can be something we take for granted…and we really shouldn’t!
Is there any kind of a physical therapy option that might help?
Personally I hate shoes. I’d much rather go barefoot and, barring that, flipflops are the next best thing. Unfortunately, reality is that shoes are required outerwear if you want to step anywhere out of your house or yard.
Hope you can figure out an option that works for you. Foot pain can be hard to function with.
My feet are weird, particularly now that I’m older. I have high arches, have had plantar fasciaitis, a mortons toe and possibly a motons neouroma.
A couple years ago I discovered Earth shoes. I don’t know if these would help your particular problem but for me they are more comfortable that being bare foot. When I’m bare foot too long my feet hurt. I rarely take off my shoes any more. These are the only shoes I’ve worn in my life that fully support my arch, they make my back feel better too. http://www.earthfootwear.com/
Sorry to hear you’re having foot pain. In all likely hood you have always had the “pump bump” as it is a boney deformity that can be inherited and you are just noticing it b/c something has irritated the bursa btwn the bone and your achilles tendon. It can be irritated by hard back shoes, but it can always be irritated by shoes that are too small and a tight achilles tendon.
Orthotics could be helpful if the irritation is being caused by a particularly high arch or tight achilles. I’m impressed your ins will cover them - here in VA they are only covered if you have complications of diabetes. Any other diagnosis and you are SOL no matter who writes the script.
Did your MD suggest that you wear open back shoes, ice your heels, use a heel lift, and/or take an anti-inflammotory for a couple of weeks? That could help reduce the irritation and make your feet feel better.
Well…I actually went to an orthotic shoe place…because my doc is about 1.5 hours away by car…so…I will have to make time to get out there…
The lady that checked out my feet was very helpful…
Funny you mention high arches and tight tendons…cause she mentioned both…I am apparently a “toe walker”…she watched me walk up and down and up and down and up and down the hallway…and said I have a tendency to walk more on my toes, rather than toe-heel…but she also said it might be because of the pain from the bone…
She propped up my heels in my shoes with some foam…and recommended I get a prescription for orthodic shoes…(Yes I think I am covered)
Now I either have to make the trek out to my doctors or find a local one (which is so not easy) I can’t really wear anything but proper runners at work, cause I am in a warehouse…at home I go bare foot (actually I have a pair of felted mary janes I love) but it is actually when I am barefoot that it hurts the most…sigh
We will see what happens…I think I will try the icing heels thing…my biggest problem is getting up after sitting/sleeping…it feels like my tendon is going to split in my left foot!
I’d try to get the orthotics if you can. I’ve heard so many positive things about them from everyone who has them. As an at-home option not quite like being barefoot, consider a pair of Birkenstocks - no backs and nice foot support. They’re not going to be as good as orthotics, though.
As you’ve already found out being barefoot puts more stress on the tendon and yes, the bursa will act much like arthritis in that it will make you feel stiff when you first get up.
Running shoes feel good b/c in true running shoes there is a heel - if the orthotic shoe place gave you a heel lift can you put that in your running shoes for work? A pair of open back clogs with a bit of a heel on them may feel better if you can make yourself wear them at home.
It sounds horrible…but I am so not one of those girls who have lots of shoes…
I have one really good pair of Rockports that I wear everywhere when I need closed toe shoes (more of a walking shoe than a running one) …and a pair of Tevas (sport sandals) that despretely need to be replaced (I think I bought them back in the late 90’s) for the summer…
I have two pairs of dress shoes that I almost never wear…
And in the house…I am always barefoot…save a pair of fibretrends mary janes that I love…I really love that pattern…I have had at least 5 pairs over the last few years!
I don’t know…maybe I need to get a pair of indoor shoes…like crocs, but I really can’t stand wearing shoes in the house…just something I grew up with…
Right now I am just living with the pain…limping around when I first get up (out of bed, or out of a chair)…and trying not to pay any mind to the tooth ache like pain that seems to be there constantly…
I think I will have to consider a new job though…right now, I am working in a warehouse - sending out mail orders…meaning I need to wear closed toe shoes and am almost always on a concrete floor…which will not be helping…
My work station itself has a padded mat…which is awesome…but I am always walking around off of it …and I don’t sit for more than my lunch break…which can’t be helping…
We will see what happens…I really need to find a doctor out here…sigh
I’m afraid you’ll just have to get used to wearing shoes all the time.
Almost 4 years ago I blew out the plantar fasciia in both feet (at the same time, no less). It started out feeling like I’d bruised both heels, which, at the time I thought I might have since I’d been consistently walking in an area where the pavement had broken up and left little chunks and pebbles and stuff. I went for a month before I finally realized it was something worse than just bruised heels…by this time I was coming home from work and bursting into tears from the pain. My heels felt like the bone was coming through the bottom and grinding them to hamburger.
I’ve always run around the house either barefoot or in Dearfoams slippers…not anymore. It’s more of a bother in the summer when it’s hot and my feet are stuck in shoes all day and all evening, but I’m finally getting to where things are starting to feel better. I still have to be careful of overdoing it, and have to get off them when I can (I’m sure most of that is my fault for letting them go so long before I sought treatment, as I’ve talked to others who have had pf and don’t have any pain at all no matter what as long as they wear their orthotics), and wear my orthotics religiously. That means that as soon as I get out of the shower, the feet get dried and the shoes go back on. (Side note, I have even read where some people roll up a towel and stand on it in the shower to simulate orthotics and get arch support in the water).
It’s inconvenient, but limping around and not being able to walk for more than a block is much, much, worse IMHO.
nothing worse than foot pain (except maybe dental pain)
I have to second the Earth Shoes recommendation. The shoes are already orthotic, built to support your feet so well that it helps your arches, ankles, knees, hips, and back! I got mine for all-day standing on concrete when I was a retail (health food store) manager.
I’ve never bought another brand since. I’ve owned a half-dozen pairs since. They last forever, (like-3 years,) but as soon as one pair wears out, I buy another (zappos.com).
And they corrected my arches, and ankles. No more knee, hip, or back pain. I forget I have them on.
No kidding on the dental pain…before I got my crown…I was in agony…and even worse…is the thought of having to eat…even when you really want to…
Where does one find Earth Shoes? I have never heard of them before…it might be worth looking into…
Yeah…today I am considering finding a new job…simply because I can’t be on a hard concrete floor everyday…with no opportunity to sit…it is too much…
My Wii Fit gave me a walking exercise and told me I am walking way heavy on my right foot…could that be because my left foot feels like someone is severing my achiles tendon…???
There are a bah-jillion styles and colors (goes on for pages…) Just keep scrolling until you see what you need. Starts with sandals, then casual/athletic, then street shoes, etc.
The Earth Shoe webs site has a store locater. You may want to try them on in person before ordering on line. Not all styles fit the same and that negative heel, while totally awesome, feels weird the first time.
