SHOE Help! Plantar Fasciitis related....

[SOnotLayuh]

I had worn Crocs for years without any problems, but sadly, they now make my PF worse.

OH NO! I hope this never happens to me

 

[luvthemouse71]

Jemmouse, cortisone injections are pretty much a last resort. Short term, very good for the pain(although they hurt like heck). However, long term, not so good. There have been cases where it has weakened the area further and caused ruptures.

I was also told by my orthopedic doctor not to walk around barefoot too much.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I had worn Crocs for years without any problems, but sadly, they now make my PF worse.

Me too..it was a sad, sad day when I realized that.

 

[TillyMarigold]

I think Crocs might be the inverse of the negative-heel shoes.

PF can be caused by either very high or very flat arches. Negative-heel shoes (MBTs, FitFlops, Skechers Fit, etc.) are bad for very flat arches (make PF worse) but good for very high ones (make it better). Maybe Crocs are bad for high arches but good for flat ones.

I have high arches and hte only Crocs I can wear comfortably are the wedge sandals (which I love).

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

What's plantar faciitis?

 

[Mary T in PA]

I had worn Crocs for years without any problems, but sadly, they now make my PF worse.

Same here. On the past 2 trips, I was able to croc it during our Disney trips and felt ok. Our last trip after Thanksgiving was awful, and I realized it was the crocs. I got rid of all my crocs and my feet have been so much better.

I have had PF trouble and also achilles tendonitis.

One thing everyone should do is stretch your legs and calves before walking - I was referred to Physical therapy many years ago and simple stretching along with a special sock to stabilize my achilles helped immensely. To this day, the docs aren't sure if PF cause AT or AT caused PF.

Another suggestion would be the actual size of your shoes. My PT told me that a shoe with a 1" heel is good, anymore heel and it puts strain on the achilles, and that can excerbate the PF.

I used to love Asiacs shoes, but have switched over to Saucony and these have served me well on my Disney treks.

A trick I use to relieve the arch pain is to take a plastic empty soda bottle(12-16oz size), fill it 3/4 way full, freeze it. Then when you're in pain, get it out, place on floor and roll your arch over it - it's a good way to ice it for 15-20min. Even if you don't have PF pain, it can make sore aching feet feel better.

I had a cortisone shot in my heel once. NEVER AGAIN. Worse than childbirth. And it did not work. It was done by a podiatrist in town. With the help of a great PT, I found an orthopedic foot/ankle dr over in Pittsburgh who gave me the suggestions above and literally got me back on my feet. I couldn't walk - I literally turned my right foot completely out to the side to compensate for the pain. That was many years ago. Now I try to walk every day and stretch the calves, it's so important.


Mary

 

[FIVEFANS]

I had PF VERY BAD and did everything...... the good news is it lasted 11 months.... and has eased up a ton. For me at Disney the key was to stretch in EVERY LINE. The funny thing is that other people would look at you funny and then realize that it would feel good for them too.....

I really think the stretching (in addition to orthodics, shots, and motrin) is what kept me going.


Try not to get frustrated and hang in there. I took two pairs of tennis shoes and would alternate. My shoe closet is far from as cute as it was 10 years ago..... I have even worn berk sandels with socks!!! I look hot. Just give me a fanny pack and lets go to WDW.

Good Luck!!

 

[branv]

I just went to the doctor about pain I suspected was either PF or achilles tendonitis (with about twice yearly occurences of a sound like a big pop noise and a feeling of someone having kicked the back of my heel ). Sore while walking, of course, but way more painful when I first stand up after resting after walking. And getting up in the morning...well it's a miracle I haven't taken a face plant yet. It's like walking on rock bruises...and now my knee is starting to get all hinky. Dang I hate getting older!

GP looked at my feet, said they look to be in good condition (what can I say, a few corns and you really start taking care of your feet), so she couldn't visibly see what the problem could be (didn't have me stand or walk or anything though). Since the pain tends to be more to the outer back and side of the bottom and back of my heel she said probably not PF since that tends to cause more pain closer to the arch? She did try to flex my feet and was shocked at how tight my calves seem to be. Said that might be the root of the issue and to do twice daily calf stretches.

So I've been doing those for about 3 weeks, as well as beginners yoga, and it's not really much better.

Long story to say I've been looking for better shoes as well, especially because I want to be ready for our next WDW trip, but am having weird issues. Cushy Clark Privos caused my heel to cramp in agony. Birks or anything with a hard surface or firm leather sole causes burn feelings on the bottom of my feet. The big crocs are like heaven, but so ugly, and their older flip flops cause my arch to cramp like mad. Tennis shoes are comfy for a bit but get so crazy hot on my feet I feel like I'm going to combust. Anytime I've worn tennis shoes at WDW I've been miserable.

Is there such a thing out there as a lightweight, good support/cushion, breathable shoe that isn't ugly as sin? I don't know about you guys, but I'm tired of spending a buttload on shoes only to wear them a few times and find out they won't work either. Perhaps I should just go to cobbler school and figure out how to make my own...similar rant about learning how to sew every time I try to find a decent pair of jeans .)

BTW: how useful is that Dr Scholls kiosk where you stand on a surface that will read your foot issues? Totally bunk or better than nothing?

 

[RMulieri]

I think Crocs might be the inverse of the negative-heel shoes.

PF can be caused by either very high or very flat arches. Negative-heel shoes (MBTs, FitFlops, Skechers Fit, etc.) are bad for very flat arches (make PF worse) but good for very high ones (make it better). Maybe Crocs are bad for high arches but good for flat ones.

I have high arches and hte only Crocs I can wear comfortably are the wedge sandals (which I love).

True I think..I have flatter arches.I bought Sketchers shape ups last summer and wore them alot .I then developed such severe plantar fascitis and it is from the negative heel technology.Crocs worked ok for me, but now even they aren't so good.I am going to a Dr again in 2 weeks, because the RT foot is totally healed.The left has gotten worse and it doesn't help that I am a nurse and on my feet for 12 hrs shifts.

 

[TillyMarigold]

The plantar fascia is the web of tissue that runs along the soles of your feet, and itis is inflammation, so it means that the plantar fascia is being inflamed or irritated.

There are lots of things that cause it (standing a lot with bad posture and/or while wearing high heels or other unsupportive shoes, mostly), but people with very high or very flat arches are more common to get it because it's harder for them to find shoes that are properly supported.

The common symptoms are foot spasms and pain, and being unable to walk properly when you first wake up or after you've been walking a lot. You treat it by stretching out the muscles that surround it, so that they're not pulling on it so much, by strengthening the foot in general, and by wearing properly supportive footwear, often custom orthotic inserts.

 

[BabyFu18]

I have PF in both feet and very high arches, right now the only type of shoes that I can wear with miniumal pain are FitFlops. My feet still kill me after a long day of walking, but it's better than before. My doctor did tell me Crocs were the worst for me feet and my problems (but I don't think that means they are bad for everyone), he also said tennis shoes are not going to help me unless I get costume orthatdics (which were very costly and not covered under insurance) so I've not been able to get those yet. What I was told to look for in a shoe was one with the heel higher than the toe and with at least a 1.5 - 2 inch heel.

So my suggestion is FitFlops, they do make clogs and boots not just sandals (with a tennis shoe on the way). That's about all I can suggest that and to try on shoes at the end of the day before you buy anything. I have a bunch of different types of tennis shoes and insoles sitting in my closet right now that I thought felt good at the time of purchase, but I keep going back to my FitFlops.

 

[TillyMarigold]

My doctor did tell me Crocs were the worst for me feet and my problems (but I don't think that means they are bad for everyone), he also said tennis shoes are not going to help me unless I get costume orthatdics (which were very costly and not covered under insurance) so I've not been able to get those yet.

I bought semi-custom orthotics that you cut to fit your shoe if necessary, then warm in the oven, then you put them in your shoe and put your foot in. So you get a custom fit for about $60-80. You can re-warm and re-shape as much as you need to until you get it right (I think I had to do it 4 times). I bought mine at REI and they'll even accept returns if they don't work for you even if you've already fit them to your foot.

At Disney I alternated between Keens with the semi-custom insoles, FitFlops (the mule kind, I hate having something between my toes), and Crocs wedge sandals (not regular Crocs). As long as I did my stretches every day, I was pretty good.

 

[RMulieri]

I think I might try some new balance walking shoes.Alot of the Docs where I work with PF recommend them so I might get custom fitted for those.I can take it anymore..I go weeks with minimal issues, and then BLAM ..I can barely walk.I got rid of all my cheapo footwear and got some more supportive, but I am very active , a nurse and a fitness fanatic so this is killing me

 

[aubriee]

I suffered with PF for over a year and was advised by my doctor I would have to see a specialist, at the same time I found the Orthaheel Wave Sandal so thought I would give them a go. They were brilliant for me and within a few days the pain eased and was gone and never had it since.

I've bought the Orthaheel Wave and the Orthaheel Tide. Both were a Godsend, but I prefer the Tide's. For some reason they fit my foot better. I also bought some Merrell's and Fit Flops which feel pretty good too.

 

[aubriee]

I had worn Crocs for years without any problems, but sadly, they now make my PF worse.

Mine too! I'm a nurse and lived in my Crocs. I have over 20 pairs (including all my clogs, flip flops, and sandals). Alas I can no longer wear them at all.

 

[bethann77]

I'm bumping this thread up because someone was looking for it

 

[beattyfamily]

Just wanted to share.

I had suffered from PF and was wearing Orthaheel flip flops for a couple years with no issues. But recently I developed another issue under my toes on my left foot. I believe its from wearing flip flops and so does my Podiatrist.

However, I do NOT think it was the Orthaheels because I've worn them to Disney last year and to Bermuda too. I still love them.

I think it was when I wore my usually very comfy "Rocket Dog" Crush thong flip flops dancing a few times in the past couple of weeks. It affected that area below my toes and between my big toe and my 2nd toe.

Anyway, I'm going to Disney soon and was afraid to wear thonged flip flops all week with this new condition so I did some research. I was hoping to find nice Orthaheels that I could slip on with no luck.

In my search, I came across these:

Spenco KholoSandals

Zappos.com

I was able to buy them on sale for $35., free shipping, from Zappo.com yesterday and got them just now!! So far so good. They are lightweight and very comfy. Waterproof too. Build in arch support and some extra support for the area below my toes.

I can't wait to see how they are for the next few days and see if they are good enough to bring to Disney. I think they are.

I'll update this post again after wearing them for a few days! I may just buy another pair!