I had it and a cortisone injection cleared it up. Hope you get some relief soon; I know it is very painful.

I had custom orthotics and did lots of Pilates. I have had it twice and the Pilates really helps.

Yes. I had it for a spell, nearly 20 years ago. It can be persistent, so faithfully follow your doc's instructions. I've never hear the term "policemen's heel," but know that the fascia, which is connective tissue surrounding muscles, extends up the bottom (plantar) surface of your foot.

What I did was wear insoles with extra arch support in every shoe, everywhere, every time my feet touched the ground. Also stayed off my feet as much as possible, drank plenty of water, and took lots of Motrin. I don't know if you can do the latter, in your condition, but check.

Also, *gentle* foot massage can be good, so I'm told. I didn't discover massage until after that episode, so I have no personal experience.

Good luck with this, Lucy, and take care.
doug

Good luck, Lucy. Sounds like lots of good advice here. I've thankfully not had to deal with that, but have a very good friend who did.
Unfortunately, hers got so bad in both feet that she had to have surgery. (She was a teacher and on her feet all the time) She opted to have both of them done at once since she was going to be in a whheelchair anyway.

I hope you are able to take care of the problem with a more simple solution.

Good luck. -Caroline

I forgot to mention I am currently 20 weeks pregnant so limited to pain relief.
(Thanks Doug for that - what I call baby brain has set in big time)
I am on and off my feet up and down the hospital at work (especially at the moment as we are moving our ward to the other end).
It just worries me as I have only had it for 2 weeks and at the moment is unbearable and as I get further into my pregnancy and get bigger the weight gain is going to make it worse.
Thanks for all your advice, it's always nice to know you're not the only one
x

I had this a few years ago. My physical therapist used an ultrasound on my foot. I'm not sure exactly what the mechanism was, but it did help me. A physical therapist might also be able to suggest some stretches to help.

I am going to physical therapy for it now. My right foot is back to normal and my left is much improved, but every couple of days I have 1 small area that starts hurting again. I highly recommend physical therapy and a boot that can be prescribed that makes you flex your foot at night while you are sleeping to stretch the connective tissue. Don't go barefoot or wear flip flops because that makes it worse. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Laura

Oh good lord yes! It's basically what finally made my stubborn butt go to the doctor & get tested. The only relief I get is when I can wear my Z-coil shoes (The retarded looking ones with the Tigger coils) I swear by them. I had the tennis shoe ones when I worked at Motorola but when I started at the job I'm at now they required steel toe AND metatarsel boots (top of foot guard) my heels and feet were killing me and I was going to quit-no joke. I went online & found out they had steel toe z-coil boots so I bought some & wore them in secrecy for 3 years!!! I risked getting fired because they worked for my heel pain that well. But then 2 years ago they promoted me & I had to wear normal boots so I wouldn't get caught in violation. Now that I'm going through my flare it has become unbearable again at work. I wear the tennis shoes every waking second I can and am going to try to get a doctors note for the boots. Honestly I don't mean to sound like a commercial for Z-coil but they are a godsend. I've seen lots of nurses wear them but people shy away from them because they are just so darn ugly!! I went through the whole insert/podiatrist route but these shoes were better, they are expensive though. I've had the same tennis shoes since 2003 and only went through 1 pr of workboots so they last too. Just my opinion but I honestly can't live without them. I get nostalgic for cute shoes & flip flops but then pay for it later when I'm in agony. Never speck of pain after a day of wearing those!

hubby has a terrible time with it. went to the foot doc and he gave him a shot right in the hell. and poof it was gone... the pain that is. and he suffered for months... he bought some special insoles and good shoes and changes them boht every ferw months to avoid it. good luck lucy

I just got diagnosed with this yesterday. I started to do the stretches they taught me, went and got gel inserts for shoes, and await appointment for orthopedist to give me an injection. Get into PT or do stretches faithfully and I know from talking to others that will start helping. The more religious you are about the stretches the better you will be. We should be friends as we are going thru this experience at the same time> By the way, I'm a nurse too but don't do bedside nursing any more, I do chart review and coordinate admissions to acute rehab. I can't imagine being pregnant, having RA and now this! Bless your heart!

Thank you all for the amazing response.
I had one shot in my right heel which has relieved it but now my left heel is playing up too. Seeing doc on Nov 3rd she said she will inject my left if still bad and I am going to be asked to be referred to physiotherapy for it.
I tell you at this emotional time in my life it brings so much relief to know I am not alone
:D