Calling all Disers with Plantar Faciitis, heel spurs, etc

[pixistix]

What shoe works best for Disney?
I've been dealing with foot pain for almost 2 years now. First went to a podiatrist who gave me cortisone injections which worked short term. Then went to a foot and ankle specialist who did a bone scan, said I had a stress fracture in my heel and put me in a "boot" for 5 weeks. That was last November. Now the problems are happening again. Not sure if I have another stress fracture or this is the plantar faciitis again! My DH noticed several weeks ago when we were shopping all day that I was limping. Another all day trip last week and more discomfort walking. We have an upcoming trip in August and I want to know the best shoes to get! My feet hurt in sneakers and shoes that are completely flat so I need something supportive and with a slight heel.
I just can't believe I can't get long term relief from this issue!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

My recommendation is that you seriously look into either a wheelchair or an ECV. Most people tend to do 8-12 miles a day of walking at WDW.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Go and try on the new Sketchers Shape Ups. They run about $100 but are worth it. I have actually been wearing MBT sneakers for the last year or so, which is the original company for this design, but just bought the Sketchers and they are great. The "rocker bottom" puts the pressure on the center of your foot and takes most of it off of your heel. My podiatrist is the one that suggested that I try these and the difference is amazing. I may never be able to wear flat shoes again.

You should also see about orthotics from your podiatrist. I was able to get by with some of the ones from Dr. Scholls for a few years but finally had to get professional ones. I have had to get several different types. You might also want to try a "heel cup", it provides even more cushion to your heel.

Your podiatrist should have shown you stretches to be doing daily to help, if not do an internet search and you will find them. You should also ask about a "night splint" which would help quite a bit. If you still have your boot you can try wearing that to sleep in at night (put a pillowcase over it if it is dirty) and see if it makes a difference after a few days. A night splint is essentially the same thing, but not meant to be walked on and with no metal which makes it better for sleeping in.

And as Cheshire Figment has pointed out, there is no shame in getting an ECV if you are in too much pain. It is not nearly as "fun" as non users think they would be, but it beats being in pain. The most economical way to do this is from an offsite company. You can find information in the FAQ at the top of this forum.

 

[ctseaton]

I 2nd the Shape-Ups. I actually got them not knowing how it would help with my plantar fascitis and I was so shocked and pleased to have my feet begin to not hurt. These shows are absolutely amazing!

 

[SheriN]

I can not stress enough to do the stretches. The best stretch you can do is standing on the edge of the steps and dropping that heel. Think pointing your toes to the sky as well. Any calf stretch will also help.

Do this before getting out of bed in the morning. It will make that first step easier. The night split they have should also work. It puts your foot in an L shape, basically stretching out your calves and the muscles in your foot as you sleep.

I suffered through it for 2 years. First in my right foot, then somehow it transferred to my left, probably because of how I had to alter my way of walking. Since Sept of last year I haven't had any issues with it for some odd reason...and I will NOT look a gift horse in the mouth!!! But I still continue to do my stretches.

Another thing that helped me is a product by Dr Scholl's. Dr. Scholl's® Adjustable Arch Pain Relief Orthotics. The heel cup never seemed to help, but once I got support for my arch it made walking so much easier.

Good luck, and I would look into getting whatever help you can while at WDW. If it helps you get through the day in the least amount of pain, anything's worth the trouble.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

My husband has this and he finally changed to a new doctor with a more aggressive approach...physical therapy 2 xs a week plus some type of sonar treament on his feet made all the difference...good luck...I know it must be super painful.

 

[motherwild]

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

My recommendation is that you seriously look into either a wheelchair or an ECV. Most people tend to do 8-12 miles a day of walking at WDW.

I say rent an ECV if you can afford it. I injured my ankle over 10 years ago in my daily life I function. At Disney after one day in the parks I am limping. My husband started having issues with his feet so we would share an ECV.

 

[cheekymonkey]

Dansko shoes. Stiff enough with a slight heal-perfect for PF.

 

[Mrs D]

I have plantar fascitis and was at the point where it was taking nearly an hour in the morning to be able to walk without pain. I first tried a non-custom orthotic called Superfeet. If you are leaving too soon to get a custom orthotic go to your local running store (or Dicks Sporting Goods) to put in your supportive gym shoes (actually the local running store will be able to analyze your gait and steer you to the shoe made to support how you walk).

I now use both the Superfeet as well as custom orthotics. Mine are very cushioned and meant for running shoes (they are thicker and give you more spring). I love Keen shoes; I can fit my orthotic right into them, they are high quality, will give you good support and last for years!

HTH!

 

[peemagg]

Something that physical therapy had me doing was rolling my foot from the toes to the heel on a rolling pin. The idea was to put as much pressure as I could stand on the arch and to stretch out the muscles in the arch of the foot. It also stretched the heel and calfs a bit. I agree with standing on a step and dropping your heels to stretch out the calfs.

 

[SheriN]

Something that physical therapy had me doing was rolling my foot from the toes to the heel on a rolling pin.

I've also heard this with a frozen bottle of water. The idea being the ice will help the muscle, coupled with the roundness of the bottle, much like with the rolling pin.

Have also heard a tennis ball.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I've also heard this with a frozen bottle of water. The idea being the ice will help the muscle, coupled with the roundness of the bottle, much like with the rolling pin.

Have also heard a tennis ball.

My PT suggested the frozen water bottle, but not more than 5 minutes! A girlfriend of mine's grandmother used a golf ball.

My PT also said that I needed to stretch daily (the stair to heel drop for at least 3 minutes a day). He said if I don't do anything else, do that. Period!

I bought a pair of Merrell Siren Ventilators 2 weeks ago and I'm in love! I had a heel spur removed mid-December and am currently going through PT to really fix my PF. My PT did have me change out the inserts to a set that he wears personally. It has made all the difference to me. I'll have them well worn in for Disney in September!

 

[Veals_Family]

Buy a really good pair of sneakers.

I am on my third pair of Brooks Ariels. I swear by them!

stretch, ice and get good orthotics.

 

[brighteyes]

I went to a pt for whiplash and while there had some custom orthodics made and also did the calf stretch on the step. Also outstretch your leg and have a pilates rubber band around the ball of your foot and pull back with both hands while stretching out your leg.

As well, I used a tennis ball to roll my foot on. Even with all this, if I stand too long, I have extreme pain through the bottoms of my arches.

I have New Balance running shoes which fit my orthodics right into them.

I am a flip flop girl at heart but cannot wear them and have been wearing my New Balance shoes every day for the past 2 years.

 

[bidnow5]

I have PF and a heel spur tried all kinds of different things tried crocs and they are the best thing ever for me. Most other people with PF don't seem to agree so I think it's different things work for different people

 

[powellrj]

I have tried every shoe known to mankind. I have really wide and thick feet so I am hard to fit anyway. My new favorite is a Zcoil. They are really, really ugly and expensive, but my feet have never felt better. Good luck, its a never ending journey. Another thing that really helped me was an anti-inflammatory. Once I started taking Daypro for my arthritis, I was amazed at how much better my feet felt.

 

[jemmouse]

I second the shoe of Brooks Ariel!!! I am on my second pair and LOVE them. However I also have a custom made orthotic in my shoe. About the MBT and Skechers, I have heard that these are the best for people with high arches, so BEWARE. I also suffer from PT and heel spurs. HAve had it since December. As of today I am happy to report that I am doing pretty well. Although I am still in physical therapy 2-3 a week. And I did receive cortisone shots about 5 weeks ago. But I am hoping the combo of the 2 is putting a stop to my pain. I agree with the rolling of your foot over a iced water bottle. Also the stair drops with your foot. It also great to do calf exercises. You need to build up muscle throughout your leg, calf, and foot. Good luck, as you know its a long journey, and I can truly symapthize with you. I did just come back from Disney 3 weeks ago, wore my shoes, did my exercise, and I did rent a scooter for Epcot, it was just to much. And I will admit at first I was uncomfortable doing so, but after being able to roam around the world and countries and NOT be in pain, it was great ...Do what is best for you!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[TillyMarigold]

I wear Keens w/ semi-custom orthotics (by Sole, they are thermo-moldable) and alternate w/ Fit Flops, *but* those are also like the Skechers and MBTs that are great for PF if you have high arches, but bad for it if you don't.

Take off your shoes on Soarin', and hold your feet flexed, not dangling.

Do your exercises religiously.

 

[Michele]

I am so glad to see this thread....just post on the DISUnplugged board with a question about foot pain and someone directed me to this board.

I am sufffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet. Also Tarsal Tunnel....anyone else have this?

I've been in pretty bad pain since October. Started with a podiatrist, now with a chiropractor getting therapy twice a week, custom orthotics just came in last Tuesday. I went to get new shoes after the orthotics came in.....got the Brooks Ariel....Sunday... wore them for a few hours and the pain that night was about the worst ever. What does that mean, I see they are recommended highly? Switched back to my Asics today and feeling much better.

I'm just hoping to hear that there is hope that this pain might someday go away, cuz right now I can't foresee that. And I have a trip to WDW coming up, hoping to get around without an ECV.

 

[NaeNae]

I went to a pt for whiplash and while there had some custom orthodics made and also did the calf stretch on the step. Also outstretch your leg and have a pilates rubber band around the ball of your foot and pull back with both hands while stretching out your leg.

As well, I used a tennis ball to roll my foot on. Even with all this, if I stand too long, I have extreme pain through the bottoms of my arches.

I have New Balance running shoes which fit my orthodics right into them.

I am a flip flop girl at heart but cannot wear them and have been wearing my New Balance shoes every day for the past 2 years.

I have PF too, and I have been missing my flip flops soooo bad. I was recently in a Walking Company shoe store. The clerk told me about Zealand flip flops. I bought a pair and they have been good so far. They have a stiff sole and a big arch support! I"m so excited to be able to have flip flops again!