Heel/ankle pain while driving
August 16, 2021 9:21 PM Subscribe
YANMD. Recently got a new car. Lately, my right heel has been in pain from driving. Help me understand what might be going on, and/or what to do about it.
When I've been driving for longer periods of time, I've noticed an increasingly sharp pain in my right heel (or towards the back of my ankle), especially when I flex it to step on the pedals. The exact location is difficult to say (IANAD), but it's roughly where this diagram shows the achilles tendon.
Things that might have changed include:
-pedal position (I feel like the pedals are higher off the floor in the new car, but I can't be sure)
-seat position? (I don't think I'm much closer or further from the pedals, but it's possible)
-driving time (I've taken some longer trips recently--but then, I did that in the old car as well, and it never caused problems)
The pain starts during long trips, and goes away a few days after the trip is over.
What is the official term for this? Have you had it? What did you do to prevent it from happening again?
When I've been driving for longer periods of time, I've noticed an increasingly sharp pain in my right heel (or towards the back of my ankle), especially when I flex it to step on the pedals. The exact location is difficult to say (IANAD), but it's roughly where this diagram shows the achilles tendon.
Things that might have changed include:
-pedal position (I feel like the pedals are higher off the floor in the new car, but I can't be sure)
-seat position? (I don't think I'm much closer or further from the pedals, but it's possible)
-driving time (I've taken some longer trips recently--but then, I did that in the old car as well, and it never caused problems)
The pain starts during long trips, and goes away a few days after the trip is over.
What is the official term for this? Have you had it? What did you do to prevent it from happening again?
Yes, I've had this. It happens when my seat is too far forward. Moving the seat back a pip or two usually takes care of it.
Also, I use this calf stretcher/foot rocker thing. Hurts a bit while you do it, but walking is much less painful afterward.
posted by smangosbubbles at 11:48 PM on August 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also, I use this calf stretcher/foot rocker thing. Hurts a bit while you do it, but walking is much less painful afterward.
posted by smangosbubbles at 11:48 PM on August 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
There's always the possibility the problem is not caused by something in the car but is just more noticeable when you are driving. I mention this because it happened to me. I had a habit of sitting in an awkward way at my office desk with one foot turned under, and I didn't realize that was causing issues in the ball of my foot and toes (actually didn't even realize I was doing it) until I noticed real discomfort when driving and finally figured out it wasn't the driving that was the real problem. Anyway just another possibility to keep in mind.
posted by Dansaman at 12:05 AM on August 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Dansaman at 12:05 AM on August 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
For completeness - footwear can also cause this in combination with long driving. I have started to wear shoes with limited heel cups for long drives (clogs, flip flops) because the heel of most trainers started to feel really uncomfortable on my right heel after about two hrs drive time.
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:58 AM on August 17, 2021
posted by koahiatamadl at 1:58 AM on August 17, 2021
Does this car require more pressure on the gas pedal?
Is it an electric car where maybe you aren't using the brake pedal much when regenerative braking, but hovering your foot over the gas pedal? Because it seems that's a thing with Tesla owners.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:51 AM on August 17, 2021
Is it an electric car where maybe you aren't using the brake pedal much when regenerative braking, but hovering your foot over the gas pedal? Because it seems that's a thing with Tesla owners.
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:51 AM on August 17, 2021
footwear can also cause this in combination with long driving
On long highway drives (greater than an hour), I typically just drive in socks (sometimes just socks I bring only for driving when it is summer and therefore sandal season) and keep my shoes in the backseat (as I don't want them tumbling around and getting wedged under pedals, causing an accident) (Ensure you have very clean mat/driver-side area - no pebbles, rocks or gravel)
As well - I also alternate with cruise-control on, to stretch my feet/knee's/legs - at least a few times an hour, otherwise sciatic pain can set in.
posted by rozcakj at 9:45 AM on August 17, 2021
On long highway drives (greater than an hour), I typically just drive in socks (sometimes just socks I bring only for driving when it is summer and therefore sandal season) and keep my shoes in the backseat (as I don't want them tumbling around and getting wedged under pedals, causing an accident) (Ensure you have very clean mat/driver-side area - no pebbles, rocks or gravel)
As well - I also alternate with cruise-control on, to stretch my feet/knee's/legs - at least a few times an hour, otherwise sciatic pain can set in.
posted by rozcakj at 9:45 AM on August 17, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by krisjohn at 10:20 PM on August 16, 2021 [1 favorite]