[Thad E Ginathom]

Would definitely recommend lap surgery in comparison to open surgery,I have had open surgery in 2006 and it was a total agony,I was handicapped for a long time.

I had in London about 2002.

My boss and I both had hernia ops: he had keyhole, and I didn't. He was back at work within a day or two, I had a week off. I got the better deal!

Seriously, though, there were reasons for my not having the keyhole. The op was no trouble, no pain, easy healing and I was fine within seven days.

[CBlazer]

Thanks folks. In either case, I'm told there would be restrictions for a couple of months. I can manage without driving for a month or so. Perhaps can get back to good old company transport.

I stay on the first floor - will climbing stairs be an issue?

[raihan]

Docs, whats the 1st line of treatment for early morning heel pain?
thx in advance.
-R

[AJo]

Any Cardiologists on the forum?
My father has been advised to have a "pacemaker". Can somebody give me an idea of the costs, recovery times from the operation, any other information.

Thank you,
AJ

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by raihan

Docs, whats the 1st line of treatment for early morning heel pain?
thx in advance.
-R

Does your pain vanish after you walk for some distance?If thats the case,you could be having plantar fascitis.Its due to thickening of the plantar fascia.What kind of footwear do you use(slippers,shoes,sandals)?As in the kind of insole they have?

[carboy]

Last two days I have been having a little pain when I open my mouth (while yawning, eating etc). Talking doesn't cause any pain - i.e. it has to be open more than you do while talking. The pain is only on the left side. It roughly seems to be around the place when the teeth ends inside. I am not able to figure out whether it's pain in the teeth or gums or just in the inside of the jaw/mouth. I think I have had the lower wisdom tooth on that side extracted 15 years back (though I am not sure - I have had one out of 2 lower ones extracted - not sure which one). I have had one root canal done on the lower teeth on that side 2 years back. The RC tooth was probably 4th/5th tooth from the end.

The pain is not much - i.e. I am not taking any pain killers or anything - as it's there only when yawning and sometimes taking a big bite while eating.

Any idea what this can be - is it dental or TMJ or something else?

Should I go to a dentist or a regular doctor?

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

Does your pain vanish after you walk for some distance?If thats the case,you could be having plantar fascitis.Its due to thickening of the plantar fascia.What kind of footwear do you use(slippers,shoes,sandals)?As in the kind of insole they have?

I have had plantar fascitis long back. These were my symptoms and how it got cured.

When not walking there is zero pain. When walking your heel hurts as if you are walking on stones. The pain is more in the day than night. I did stuff like stretch calves before getting of the bed in the morning, wearing shoes all the time (even inside the house), other stretching exercises for calves etc. All this gave me some relief, but what cured it was Dr.Scholls heel insert.

This is not a full shoe insert but just a heel size insert. It's grey in color with center as soft jelly like blue. From the day I used it the pain dissapeared. I used it for around 3-4 years (only while wearing shoes - I only wear sport shoes). After that even after I stopped using it, the problem never recurred.

This looks like what I used - http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/p...lCushions.jspa
with the color changed.

[mgh]

Originally Posted by CBlazer

Thanks folks. In either case, I'm told there would be restrictions for a couple of months. I can manage without driving for a month or so. Perhaps can get back to good old company transport.

I stay on the first floor - will climbing stairs be an issue?

I also stay on first floor. I had laparoscopic surgery for hernias on both sides(the left side was very small, the right side was the size of a small lemon when standing) two years ago. Didn't feel a thing. Didn't even feel that I had had an peration.

From day one was there was no restriction on climbing. Was told not to lift heavy weights for two weeks. I did not drive for two weeks. After that the surgeon told me I could even get into wrestling if I wanted.

Ask your family doctor to recommend a good laparoscopic surgeon.

In my case, I was admitted in the morning and was out by evening.

Some insurance companies will not pay when hospitalization is for less than 24 hours, which could be a consideration for some.

[car-dent]

Originally Posted by carboy

Last two days I have been having a little pain when I open my mouth (while yawning, eating etc). Talking doesn't cause any pain - i.e. it has to be open more than you do while talking. The pain is only on the left side. It roughly seems to be around the place when the teeth ends inside. I am not able to figure out whether it's pain in the teeth or gums or just in the inside of the jaw/mouth. I think I have had the lower wisdom tooth on that side extracted 15 years back (though I am not sure - I have had one out of 2 lower ones extracted - not sure which one). I have had one root canal done on the lower teeth on that side 2 years back. The RC tooth was probably 4th/5th tooth from the end.

The pain is not much - i.e. I am not taking any pain killers or anything - as it's there only when yawning and sometimes taking a big bite while eating.

Any idea what this can be - is it dental or TMJ or something else?

Should I go to a dentist or a regular doctor?

hi, it seems to be most likely a muscular pain in the pterygoid muscles. you should visit a dentist to rule out dental problem.
avoid eating hard things on that side, rinse 4-5 times a day with warm salt water. (and take a muscle relaxant after consultation with the dentist)

[CBlazer]

Originally Posted by mgh

From day one was there was no restriction on climbing. Was told not to lift heavy weights for two weeks. I did not drive for two weeks. After that the surgeon told me I could even get into wrestling if I wanted.
Ask your family doctor to recommend a good laparoscopic surgeon.

In my case, I was admitted in the morning and was out by evening.

Some insurance companies will not pay when hospitalization is for less than 24 hours, which could be a consideration for some.

Wow! Thanks. That was nice to know. I'll be very happy if I get back in action so soon.

I will check with my insurance company. I was told I require to stay for a couple of days (probably for observation).

[Deep Blue]

Originally Posted by mgh

I also stay on first floor. I had laparoscopic surgery for hernias on both sides(the left side was very small, the right side was the size of a small lemon when standing) two years ago. Didn't feel a thing. Didn't even feel that I had had an peration.

Originally Posted by CBlazer

Wow! Thanks. That was nice to know. I'll be very happy if I get back in action so soon.

Since both of you are located in Bangalore, CBlazer could consider getting the surgery done by the surgeon who operated on mgh. Nothing beats a patient's testimonial.

[carboy]

My wife has been having heel and ankle pain for the last couple of months. An x-ray was done and revealed bilateral calcaneal spurs - but as of now symptoms are there only in the left leg.


Even before she went to the doctor, she purchased an ortho-care slipper to wear at home all the time - this cost Rs. 200. It is very soft and has a good arch. It helps a little but not much.

The doctor has asked us to visit an orthopedic surgeon where he said that the surgeon would try medicines and if that doesn't work use hydrocortizone injections.

I suffered from plantar fascitis many years back which was cured without any hydrocortizone etc - I have written about this here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...ml#post2859839

I was wondering if there is any such thing for heel spurs which would help without having to resort to injections etc.

[noidea]

At present we believe that Calcaneal spurs are of no clinical importance and they are just a X-ray feature sometimes associated with plantar fascitis.

If your wife also has ankle pain along with heel pain then the diagnosis of plantar fascitis has to be reviewed.

And to avoid injections, yes, there are some physiotherapy protocols and some exercises that help with the pain. A silicone insole or silicone heel cups also works but you know about those already.

I would also suggest to check the Vitamin D levels and do an osteoporosis assessment. (Presuming that she is above 45 - 50 yrs.)

[carboy]

Originally Posted by noidea

At present we believe that Calcaneal spurs are of no clinical importance and they are just a X-ray feature sometimes associated with plantar fascitis.

If your wife also has ankle pain along with heel pain then the diagnosis of plantar fascitis has to be reviewed.

It's not actually ankle pain - it's more the area between the heel and the ankle at the back of the leg. The visible pad area at the back - at least thats what I think - my wife is never precise about these things - you have to dig the information out of her. That and the heel.

And the diagnosis was 'heel spurs' not plantar fascitis. I specifically asked the doctor if it was plantar fascitis and he said no - he said it's heel spurs - similar to pf but not the same.

Originally Posted by noidea

And to avoid injections, yes, there are some physiotherapy protocols and some exercises that help with the pain.

How do I find out about the physiostherapy protocols and exercise? Have already been to 2 docs - neither of them said anything about this.

Originally Posted by noidea

A silicone insole or silicone heel cups also works but you know about those already.

I would also suggest to check the Vitamin D levels and do an osteoporosis assessment. (Presuming that she is above 45 - 50 yrs.)

She is 43. Is Osteoporosis/VitD still relevant?

And thank you very much for replying.

[setuniket]

Hello Docs,

I have symptoms like weight loss, fatigue and excess thirst. I am not a foodie and maintain good diet habits(effect of dietitian in family). My family(immediate and extended) has not medical history of any sorts, except of usual life style issues. I am 25, 65 kgs and around 5' 6" tall and considering my profession, a full time litigation lawyer, I have mixed physical work, sitting all day times or running in court rooms.

So are the symptoms sign of anything ?

Kind opinions please

[carboy]

Originally Posted by carboy

It's not actually ankle pain - it's more the area between the heel and the ankle at the back of the leg. The visible pad area at the back - at least thats what I think - my wife is never precise about these things - you have to dig the information out of her. That and the heel.

The pain is more on the back of the leg - between the ankle and the bottom. There is heel pain also but not much. However other symptoms are there like the pain being more in the morning after getting up.

Also the X-Ray report said spurs.