• "That's great customer service, responding to my e-mail in 4 minutes with a no-cost solution."
• "Many thanks for your speedy reply, I must say I am very happy with your customer services and prompt reply."
• "Thanks for an easy transaction, and an unexpectedly quick shipment! "
• "Thank you for your good customer service and for the good information on your website and i will be recommend your site to others who suffer footpain; keep up the good work."
• "Please pass on my thanks to the lady who took my call ... she was very courteous and professional. Thanks again for your fine service"
• "I just wanted to say 'thanks' for the fast service. I received my inserts today and they are working really well. Big help. It is always nice when we get a good product and it is received so quickly."
• "Thanks Scott! Great website by the way, very imformative. We'll definitely be back. "

Origins of Heelspurs.com In 1996, after a year of dealing with a bad case of heel pain Scott Roberts (that's me) decided to start a web site to help others with plantar fasciitis.  I wanted to become a part of the internet revolution by building a useful web site that could help others, teach me about programming, and provide supplemental income.  Heel pain seemed to be a good topic for those objectives.  My education is in Electrical Engineering which has helped in programming, understanding the technical aspects of heel pain, conducting surveys, and understanding the statistical significance of those surveys.

History of Scott's Foot Pain

I did not have the classic sign of pain with the 1st few steps in the morning and it did not hurt at all when pressed. It would start hurting after spending too much time on my feet and would often show more pain two days after the activity which sometimes made it difficult to identify what activity was causing a re-injury. The pain was in the heel and very "deep" and "dull". There was never a tingling or numbing sensation. It would take month of reduced activity in the complete absence of pain to see improvement.

I gave the following as a 1-page printout to the last doctor I visited in 1997.

October 1994, Feet problems begin near the end of volleyball season. Feet would hurt all weekend after a Friday game. Did not walk on those Saturdays. Usually an inactive person anyway (desk job, etc).

Winter 1994-95, Feet hurt after trips to grocery store, etc.

January 24-26, 1995, Went on 3/4 mile walk, field trip, and 3 hour library trip. On feet all day and walking. Intense pain by end of day.

January 26-February 3. Went to 1st Physician (Ortho Surg), Started steroids, very limited walking.

February 4-17, Did not walk. Intense pain during January 26 to February 10.

Symptoms: Pain over entire bottom of feet, substantial swelling.

Tests: Negative on X-rays, Bone Scan, EMG, NCV, 5 sets of blood work.

February 17, 1995 to May 1996, Up and down progression, Unable to go to grocery store, unable to perform most job duties. Walked only to car, desk at work, and back to bed during most of this time. During the best period, walking 1/2 mile per day resulted in pain and swelling by the 4th day. Left foot is worse than right foot.

1996 and 1997: able to perform all job duties and occasional trips to mall. 1/2 mile walks per day still resulting in increasing pain and abandoned.

Update: 1998: Same as 1996 and 1997. Taping left foot every day. Months of taping and decreased activity to prevent any sign of pain seems to be the only long-term help. Stretching everyday and trying massage, orthotics, and strong "rare earth" magnets from radio shack. Icing only after very active days.

Update: 1999: Better than 1998. Able to go to store and mall at will. Still taping and unable to go for additional 1/2 mile walks more than once per week.

Update: 2000: Had OssaTron in Canada on 2/22/2000. Stopped using tape on a regular basis on 3/13/2000. Ossatron may or may not have had any effect.

Update: 2001: Nearly normal. Not able to go on lengthy jogs.

Update: 2007: After slowly increasing exercise and general activity, I am able to walk and jog better now at the age 40 than at the age of 26, before my heel problems began.

Attempted Treatments: Steroids, Daypro, Heat, Ice, Ultrasound, Stretching, Taping, Cortisone injection, heel lifts, orthotics and inserts (many kinds), rest, night splint and Strassburg Sock.

Successful Treatments: In order of most beneficial: taping, stretching, rest, heel lifts. Other: weight loss, Prednisone, Daypro