Heel Pain

[NoSpace]

My 72 year old step mother has chronic progressive MS with onsets of Trigeminal Neurolgia in her left jaw. She was in a nursing home for nine weeks where they positioned her legs bent on either side of her body. As a result, her ham strings have tightened to the point she can no longer straighten her legs. Unbent legs causes excruciating pain in her heels. We have tried many combinations of pillows and apparutuses to try to lift her heels off the bed. Nothing lasts very long and thus she ends up back in pain. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Steele137]

I am experiencing pain in the heels of both feet.  It is only in the heels.  Tender to touch.  I am able to walk on them.  It feels like a muscle tightness after a workout but it doesn't go away.  Suggestions?

[LQQKIT]

This happened to me a few months ago and neuro advises I am now stage of primary progressive MS and will not get any better but worse if I do nothing and is not a relapse.  He suggested I start Tysabri to halt any further progression.

[NoSpace]

Thanks JJ ... all you have to say is true ... Unfortunately, the MS foundation or society here in Bradenton does ABSOLUTELY nothing to help my step mother, according to my father. I probably should check it out myself.

[NoSpace]

Yes, Alex ...  My step mother does receive physical therapy once or twice a week. She feels like she's being tortured in her PT sessions. And my father does not follow through on the other days. So, I am going to video record her session this afternoon in order to know what to do on the off days when stretching her.

[HVAC]

Can she get in physical therapy?

Alex

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

I really don't know what really would help your step mum, i would expect by now most things I know of would of been tried or considered already eg combination of muscle relaxant and neuropathic pain relief, botox, physiotherapy, routines of massage and gentle stretching though out the day etc

To be honest, i'm concerned with the body positioning of her legs being bent and placed on either side of her body. If i'm understanding you correctly, it actually doesn't sound like a good idea for anyone, regardless of having MS or not. It probably would bring relief, because the blood flow and nerves are being cut off whilst in that position and that would cause her legs to go numb, so yes it would take away the pain.

The pain would be excruciating when ever her legs are straightened, the blood circulation and nerve senses would be returning to her legs, and even without having prior nerve pain, it would definitely be a very painful experience even for short periods, but for hours like that and i can't imagine how painful that would be.

With MS, spasticity would definitely be an issues to look out for, after 9 weeks of limited or restricted movement but I would think the TN would be a separate issue to her leg pain, unless it is because she's gritting her teeth and really locking her jaw down to get through the pain, which can also set off neuralgia in the jaw.

I'm still thinking that the restricted leg positioning is going to end up causing bigger issues in the short and long term, the main issue is basically inadequate pain relief and her treating neurologist really should be involved in finding the right treatment for her asap, if that's not happening or its too slow in coming, then i'd highly recommend getting someone who does specialise in nerve pain.

The MS society in your area should be able to help in some way, please give them a call and explain the situation, i'm sure they will know of someone they will recommend and or be able to do what ever they can to help your step mum.  

Hugs............JJ