Anybody have plantar fasciitus? ( Heel pain or bone spur ) Update in OP.

[Figment22]

I had plantar fasciitis about ten years ago. The orthopedist prescribed heel cushions like these which were somewhat helpful but the real prescription was stretching exercises which I stubbornly refused to do for the longest time, thinking "How is this little bit of exercise going to alleviate this terrible pain?" Boy, was I ever wrong. Once I started doing the exercises, the pain subsided substantially until it finally was gone! What a jerk I was for not doing the exercises! I found the step stretch to be the most helpful for me.

Stretching on a step

Stretch by standing on the edge of a step and allowing the heel to drop. Hold for at least 15 seconds. You should feel a gentle stretch. Be careful not to over-do this one

Good luck!

 

[malibuconlee]

Oh yeah, worst in the morning. Like I dread putting my foot down. But still, it happens all day if I don't keep moving.

Stretch your legs and flex your ankle/foot back and forth, it gets the blood moving and helps with that initial shock in the morning. (it won't get rid of it) The stretches above will also help over the long run. If it's bothering you thru the day, do the thing also mentioned about a bottle of ice water and roll it under your foot. It does help.

I never did need the cortizone shots or surgery, but I still wear the arch supports most of the time.

 

[Towncrier]

I was having a lot of problems with plantar faciitus a couple of years ago. Then I broke my ankle. Seems as though that did the trick at solving my problem. I was off my foot for 8 weeks, then did intense physical therapy to stretch my achillies tendon. I haven't been bothered since.

Seriously, the use of Advil, orthotics, and stretching exercises seems to be the most reasonable approach to reducing the pain of PF. I don't suggest that you break your ankle.

 

[Denine]

2 things.
1. Relafen from the doctor for the inflamation

2. inserts from heelthatpain.com They actually worked the best. While my pain is never gone, It is quite livable.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the great info, everyone.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Wow! I can't believe this. I wondered how I 'hurt my heel' about 4 weeks ago. I was literally EXHAUSTED each day, and waking up in the a.m. was the last thing I wanted to do, as I dreaded my feet touching the floor.

The exhaustion was from not walking right, (I was trying to place weight on other parts of my body.) My neck and back hurt too. Dr. did X-rays, and suggested the arches and tennis shoes. (Can't wear flats anymore and have to give-up my treadmill.)

The stretching excercises sound good. I have to remedy this somehow. We'll be at WDW in January.

 

[EdiePA]

Tried a podiatrist, anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone shots, taping, etc. Nothing worked.

Finally, I saw an orthopedic surgeon and he casted my foot in a pointed toe position for six weeks. This was followed with stretching exercises. I've been pain free for over three years.

Amazing how something so simple could give so much relief.

Edie

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

My friend had it in one foot for a year and ended up having surgery. All of what you have been posting was not working for her and it kept getting worse. The surgery did wonders for her. So when the 2nd foot kicked in, she just went ahead and did the surgery right away. For the first time in years she can actually wear other shoes besides tennis shoes to teach in!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Today I went to www.footsolutions.com .

They measure you and take several compter images of your feet. Both still and while walking. Next they take this data to make custom orthodics......

to the tune of $249.

Hopefully they work. The folks at the store say that they are effective for about 90 - 95% of all their customers.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

DW MeanLaureen had a bit of trouble with this back in the late 90's when she was kickboxing. The doctor told her to spell out the alphabet with her feet every morning before you set foot out of the bed. It stretches the area out thoroughly and worked like a charm. She still has the spurs but has never had to use special cushions or shoes or take anything for it and the pain went away.

 

[Papa Deuce]

bumping the update. Hope someone finds some useful info or relief here.

 

[pogopossum]

my pod gave me cortisone shots in both feet, sprayed the freeze spray on the soles, and taped the soles, which i wore for a week. i got the gel insoles, and he told me to change to new balance, 800 or above. also did ibuprofen 800mg 4 times a day. it subsided immediately and was really pretty well gone within six weeks. if i have a flare up i just get the 20 oz coke bottle of water out of the freezer and roll it around on the floor with my foot for a few minutes and it feels much better. the doc never even mentioned surgery for me, and from what i've heard the results from that are mixed.

 

[aprilgail2]

I just had a cortisone shot in my foot 2 weeks ago for heel spurs and boy did I have a bad reaction to it..my blood pressure went up and my face was red for 4 days..I swaeted constantly the whole time..won't do that again LOL...but I am getting orthotics again, just did the impressions yesterday. They did tell me to never wear high heels or go bare foot though, thats the worst things you can do to your feet!

 

[DoeWDW]

Matthew, thanks for the idea of spelling out the alphabet prior to getting out of bed! Everyone kept saying "stretch before you get up" and I thought I was doing a thorough job of it, but it wasn't helping.

Now I have a good way to ensure I've gotten full range of motion and have stretched long enough.

 

[minkydog]

Good luck with your orthotics. They made all the difference for me. It took about 2 weeks for me to get used to them, but after that I looked forward to wearing them . Keep doing your calf stretches.