Hi,
I do alot of trail running and about four weeks ago I was running across
a little stream when I stepped on a rock which was loose and when my
weight went on the front the rock came up and hit my heel causing a
sudden and severe pain. I walked the rest of the way stepping very
lightly on it. Since then I have been hiking with it but it still hurts
and I am not able to run. I was told by someone that it is more than
likely just a bruise and it will take a lng time to heal. What is your
opinion. I am 54 and need to run.
Sonny, depending on where the pain is located, the problem might be worse than a bruise, it moght not. There is the potential that you have injured the insertion of the achilles tendon if the pain is posterior, the plantar fascia insertion - like a heel spur- if the pain is underneath, and the remote possibility exists that you sustained a stress fracture if the pain is "in the bone". Each of these problems have different factors affecting their healing rates, so depending on which it is, you would have to do things differently. In any event, if you have heel pain, we would likely elevate your heel with a heel lift (no more than a half inch), and I strongly suggest that if you trail run, that you look into Montrail shoes, specifically their Ultra XT or their Vitesse shoes whoch have a great fit, and a hardy construction that will likely protect you from the bumps of trail running.
Good luck
