Barb
Hi! I had heel spurs in both feet for over 10 years that were really painful. I tried all the same things you tried...NSAIDS, orthotics, cortisone shots which were the most painful thing I have ever had done. I finally had it removed from my left foot with great success. The doctor said the spur was the largest one he had ever seen (almost 2"). BUT, the spur is not what causes the pain. It's the tendon (planar fascii) that runs from the heel forward toward the toes. It atrophies with pain and shrinks. That's what causes you to feel like your toes curl in the morning (when the tendon has shrunk during the night). Once you get back onto your foot and stretch out the tendon, it doesn't hurt as much. Sit and rest and it shrinks again. I was about to have surgery on my right foot and my husband who had been using Knox gelatin for a pulled muscle in his back, suggested I try it for my heel. You may wonder why Knox, but it really does have a scientific reason. Knox gelatin's main component is chondroitin. Chondroitin is something that the body normally produces and helps with elasticity in connective tissue (that's why you see so much of it in pharmacies, etc.) Many long term studies are being done by top orthopedists around the country to determine the effectiveness of both glucosamine and chondroitin. At any rate, Knox gelatin is an inexpensive way to see if chondroitin will help. I tried it using just one packet of the unflavored gelatin in a glass of orange juice each morning and by day 3 I had no more pain. I have not had any pain since, and that was atleast 7 years ago. I only took the Knox for 3 days. I cancelled my surgery but went in and spoke to my orthopedist. He would push on the bottom of my heel which would normally send me off the table and I had no pain. It made a believer out of him and he now recommends the Knox as a first choice with heel spurs. When I developed tennis elbow in both arms from carrying my son in a body cast for 2 months, I tried the Knox again and within days I had no more pain. Before that I had to wear the orthopedic straps just below my elbows to help with the pain. I am not trying to convince you not to have surgery. But before you do, try the Knox and see if it helps you. Talk with your doctor. I'm sure that the fact that it is a food stuff and harmless to the body, he'll tell you to try it. He may be skeptical, many orthopedics are just now beginning to understand the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin, but this is a good non-invasive approach that should give you significant relief. I wish you well.