Plantar Fascitis Shoe Suggestions?

I've had pain from plantar faciitis for a couple of years now! Sleeping with night splints and wearing orthotics during the day have helped but I still had pain in the heal area. I recently tried a heal orthotic from www.heelthatpain.com and I cant believe how great my feet feel! They have something called a facia bar which applies pressure to keep the facia where it belongs. We're going to Disney next week and I'm really hoping they help with all that walking!
 
Thank you for all of the suggestions! I have been very careful to ice at least three times a day, use my frozen water bottles for stretching and icing, have done stretching exercises, bought inserts, bought Ryka tennis shoes and Skechers Go Walk (currently the ONLY shoe I can stand to wear!) but it's not working. My chiropractor told me it was time to see an orthopedic dr. for a shot. So I have an appointment on Monday because I'm still getting shooting pains in my heel that are making walking really difficult.
 


Cortisone shots are my Disney go to! I have slept with my feet off the edge of the bed for 7 years, had custom made orthotics and high numbered New Balance. I am considering surgery next year :( my podiatrist says they have a high success rate. I can't even shop for a couple hours without suffering for days after. Full disclosure- I didn't keep shoes on all the time, I didn't exercise my feet and I wore sandals! Wore the New Balance and had the cortisone shots to go to Disney 3 years ago and I was fine planning on the same in November - getting the shot about 3 weeks before. Good luck and have fun!
 
I've never had problems with PF until our trip last April, when I apparently over did it during the second day. I mention that, because my suggestion may not be as helpful for someone with chronic PF...I'm not sure. But anyway, my left foot hurt for about two weeks before I finally found a fix. I had tried massaging it, ice, the recommended PF exercises. Nothing helped. Then I ordered these: https://www.amazon.com/Plantar-Fasc...rds=Plantar+Fasciitis+Socks+with+Arch+Support. I cannot recommend them enough. Within a couple of hours, I began to feel relief and after a couple of days wearing the sock in the evening the pain was completely gone. They are very tight, but not uncomfortable and I didn't have any problem with circulation in my toes or anything. I especially like them because I can just wear them with my regular shoes instead of having to find special (potentially expensive) footwear.

We haven't gone on another Disney trip yet, but I will absolutely be taking these with me and wearing them if I have even the slightest pain.
 
Cirlonde said:
I've never had problems with PF until our trip last April, when I apparently over did it during the second day. I mention that, because my suggestion may not be as helpful for someone with chronic PF...I'm not sure. But anyway, my left foot hurt for about two weeks before I finally found a fix. I had tried massaging it, ice, the recommended PF exercises. Nothing helped. Then I ordered these: https://www.amazon.com/Plantar-Fasc...rds=Plantar+Fasciitis+Socks+with+Arch+Support. I cannot recommend them enough. Within a couple of hours, I began to feel relief and after a couple of days wearing the sock in the evening the pain was completely gone. They are very tight, but not uncomfortable and I didn't have any problem with circulation in my toes or anything. I especially like them because I can just wear them with my regular shoes instead of having to find special (potentially expensive) footwear.

We haven't gone on another Disney trip yet, but I will absolutely be taking these with me and wearing them if I have even the slightest pain.
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Thanks! My husband had the blisters-I have the PF! I read on another thread to use spray deodorant and wicking socks to avoid blisters:)
 


I second the night splints/boots. I was skeptical when one of my co-workers told me about them, so I went through physical therapy for a few weeks. Did not help at all. Bought a cheap $30 boot on amazon. Took a while (few weeks), but the pain disappeared.
 
Besides the frozen water bottle and Epsom salt soaks, rolling my foot on a tennis ball, standing and using pressure, helped the most. I hate doctors and shots, so I did this as much as possible. Ibuprofen was my other friend. All better now. Hope you feel better soon.
 
Thanks! I saw the orthopedic doc this morning. She said I was really messing up not wearing the night splint. Big sigh for me since I'm a light sleeper and have no idea how I'm going to sleep with that thing on my foot. She also gave me a better anti-inflammatory med and I'm off to see a PT on Friday. I'm only going a few times to learn the exercises more effectively and then I'm planning to use them at home. Here's hoping I don't have to see her again! She said if it's not better by December we'll do the shots.

You guys have been great, thank you!
 
100AcreWood said:
Thanks! I saw the orthopedic doc this morning. She said I was really messing up not wearing the night splint. Big sigh for me since I'm a light sleeper and have no idea how I'm going to sleep with that thing on my foot. She also gave me a better anti-inflammatory med and I'm off to see a PT on Friday. I'm only going a few times to learn the exercises more effectively and then I'm planning to use them at home. Here's hoping I don't have to see her again! She said if it's not better by December we'll do the shots.

You guys have been great, thank you!
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Trust me wear the splint faithfully and you will most likely not need any shots. I thought the same thing about wearing the splint and the first few nights were rough, but I continued and once you see how much they can help it is worth the slight aggravation
 
So I only managed to wear it for 3 hours last night then I woke up in pain and couldn't get it off my foot fast enough. I guess it just takes getting used to?
 
I have had PF for over a month and it stinks. I agree wearing some sort of splint at night helps. I am no longer waking up in the morning unable to walk. Also, I didn't see any posters mention taping your foot. My dr showed me how to do it but if you search on YouTube there are lots videos explaining it. I find taping helps a lot if I am going to be doing a ton of walking. And as for shoes, Birkenstocks are pretty good. I also just bought a pair of new balance flip flops to wear around the house and they are very comfortable.
 
Skipping to the end here without reading all of the other posts but here is my .02 cents. I had a really bad case of PF several years ago. I was an avid runner 30 - 45 miles per week. At first, I tried to just fight through it but it got the point where I couldn't get out of bed in the morning. I did see a podiatrist who gave me an injection in the arch of my foot and fitted me for a pair of orthotic insoles by using plaster. I previously wore a "stability" shoe but because of the orthoitc insoles, I had to purchase "neutral" shoes because now my foot was fitted to the insoles instead of my foot being fitted to the shoe. I stretched my calf every morning before getting out of bed and used a hard roller every evening. Throughout the day, I constantly stretch my calves. After the custom othotics wore out, I tried several different over the counter insoles (Spenco, Archmolds, etc.) and they all seemed to be almost as good as the custom ones. I ended up giving up running distance but I have no more pain. Don't go cheap on shoes because you will pay for it. I now only wear Altra running shoes. If you have wide feet, they are the absolute best shoe I have ever worn. As far as flip flops go, Spenco makes great ones for PF. They are not attractive, but they do work.

I did make a Disney trip while I was battling it. I brought a few ziplock freezer bags and iced my feet down every morning and every evening. I also stretched during the day. I think for me, stretching was the most important part.
 
I think sometimes is depends on the cause of the PF. I have very high arches and a high instep, and I need a wide shoe. Slip ons rarely work for me. I am considered an under-pronator, and also need to avoid a "stability" shoe. New Balance and Asics make options I can wear. If I buy sneakers designed for this issue, I do well. Crocs also work well for me (but not for everyone with foot problems).

My arches are so high the foot dr called in his associate to see my feet, lol. I said I thought high arch is good, flat feet are bad. He said, not THAT high.
 
I swear by my Fit Flops. I love flip flops and these have great support and actually got rid of my PF. I am also a Keen fan, Ahnu and Dansko lover.
 
100AcreWood said:
Thank you all for the advice and suggestions! This will give me some ideas of which shoes to try. I'm currently taking anti-inflammatory meds, doing the exercises, icing at least twice a day, keeping shoes on all day (I miss going barefoot!), I ordered compression socks, I'm trying inserts but not impressed so far and I'm also seeing a chiropractor for adjustments and ultrasound therapy. I can't believe how painful this has been. I'm not ready to do the night splint because I'm a light sleeper and even the doctor said I probably wouldn't handle it well so we're going to try other stuff first.

It's great having people to sympathize with. You wouldn't believe how many people have said oh yea I had that for a couple days. That's no fun. A couple days? This has been going on for three months. They say it like I'm overreacting. So thanks :).
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I do all the things mentioned when I feel it coming on but I get shots in my foot and it helps me VERY much!

I exercise regularly and the shots are a lifesaver. Shoes help the pain but it is the actual ligament that is too tight so make sure you do all the icing with the water bottle roll and the boot to stretch it.
 
I had surgery on both of my feet for plantar fascitis, and it still came back years later. :( The thing that helps me most is using a night splint. They're only $20 on Amazon, which is easier than dealing with an insurance company to get one. I don't wear it every night, just when I start having pain. I have custom made orthotics for my tennis shoes. For sandals, Teva Tirra (not Terra) are definitely my favorite. They have a higher arch that the other 6-7 Teva sandals I tried.
 
I am so happy that I found this thread! I was just diagnosed with PF and am going to Disney in March and was worried I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself. Well, who doesn't enjoy themselves at Disney but you know what I mean :P. Thanks for the great suggestions.
 
I'm going back to the PT tomorrow afternoon. I'm using the splint, doing the exercises, have the right shoes, etc. and it's still hurting a lot.
 
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