EEEEK!! I have Plantar Fasciitis

[aubriee]

I absolutely love Teva Mush flip flops, Montrail Molokini flip flops, Reef flip flops, Sanuck Yoga Mat flip flops, you name it, I'm a flip flop diva and have well over 100 pair of flip flops. They are all I ever wear, except when I'm at work, then it's Crocs. However, when I was at WDW last month my feet (especially my heel) absolutely killed me. Teva Mush are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, but even they were almost unbearable last month. It appears I have developed Plantar Fasciitis over the last few months. People with Plantar Fasciitis, what do you wear in the parks? I absolutely hate tennis shoes and besides they are too hot in May, which is when my next WDW trip is. Anyone with heel problem ever try FitFlops? They're among the few I haven't tried. HELP, please!!!!!!

 

[santa's surpriz]

I have PF and it is very painful! I have also had Morton's Neuroma surgery. New Balance makes insoles for PF, I use them in any shoe I can. New Balance also makes shoes for PF. If you have a New Balance store, the associates seem very well trained to help fit you with a good shoe and insoles. They really seem to help. My doctor recommended that I try the New Balance shoes and I am glad I did.

Has your doctor recommended physical therapy? That also helps. I have a funky boot thing to wear to bed that keeps my foot flat and that seems to help in the morning with pain. I trained myself to sleep with my foot hanging off the end of the bed so it is less likely to "curl." Simple strecthing exercises are helpfull too.

Other than tennis I try to stick with shoes with heel or wedge so my foot is not flat. Merrels are comfortable for me. That snap you get from the flip flops makes the pain worse. Unfortunately you'll probably have to hang up your flip flops for a while. It does get better though. I rarely have issues now, but every soo often I get a really bad flare up. I am going to try the Reebok fit shoes bc the technology in the heel seems similiar to some of the exercises I did on a rubber ball.

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

Custom orthotics have really fixed mine up along with only wearing supportive shoes. My foot doctor says that all shoes should be lace up and have a supportive heel bed. For work I bought a pair of Munroe American shoes, just basic black leather, they don't look too much like orthotic shoes! Otherwise I wear running shoes and for sandals I have Merrills. They don't have laces but they have a clip over the arch that secures the shoe. You should also wear shoes at all times!! The downside is the cost, I've spent over $600 in the last few months buying the Merrill's, the work shoes and indoor and outdoor running shoes. I'm hoping I've got the problem solved since I'm leaving in 3 days but it's been about a 3 mth process of dillently wearing the right shoes. I also do a lot of stretches with my foot before I get out of bed in the morning and I put my shoes on right away.

 

[preemiemama]

2 years ago, I wore my Crocs all week at the World and it made my PF flare up- so I would not recommend them. Since then I have worn Rockport tennis shoes and sandals and had the best luck. The less you can bend the sole of your shoe, the better it is for your PF. Unfortunatley, that totally rules out the flip flops...

 

[Minniemama350]

I have pf and wear FitFlop shoes. That is one of the claims of the company, that they help with PF, and they do. I have the flop version as well as the mules (so I can wear them to work). Crocs no longer work for me, but I would not trade my FitFlops for ANYTHING! People that have not tried them think they are just a flip flop and will try to tell you they are bad for your feet. They are incorrect! You can even buy a Mickey version at WDW!! I plan to do that in a few weeks!! I am happy to hear about the New Balance though,as I can't exercise in my FitFlops.

 

[Kae]

For me the big thing is changing shoes & not wearing the same ones everyday. At I wore NB & asisc, my cros around the pool-not going barefoot is another big thing, even walking to the bathroom when getting out of bed. I have some merrill flip flop type sandals which took awhile to find that have a nice arch in them. I went the The Walking Store which is chain for shoes. Look for a store like that they will help you. Also I bought these socks at kohl they are Addsis(sp?) they are mesh with padding at the heal & toe box, changing your socks help with the feeling hot & feeling fresh. Ice helps too take some baggies put ice in them & rest your heel on it at night

Good luck

Kae

 

[Minniemama350]

Also, if you are alread in pain, Aleve works better than Advil.

 

[Lori1960]

I would also see if Dr will give you a cortizone shot that should help.Also no flipflops

 

[pooch]

Had a PF flare up last year. I wore the "boot" for several hours before bed - just too hot to sleep in!! And stopped wearing flats to work (who knew!!) and it cleared up in about 6 months. I tried the FitFlops but, after a couple of days, returned them. The top strap was KILLING me!!! I don't have a particularly high instep but the strap was just too tight and they apparently don't stretch over time.

I have had great luck with Adidas flip flops with "Fit Foam" bottoms -very cushy & comfortable. I have never had a issue at the parks when I wear them. Hmm need to go get more colors this year!!!

My point is, everyone's feet are different and what works for me may not work for you. Try several different brands/styles before you go.

 

[smola09's mom]

I also have PF. The first treatments I had were an anti-inflammatory and physical therapy. During therapy they fit me for custom orthotic insoles. I put them into a good Nike running or walking shoe. I wore these religously until the pain I was experiencing subsided. Now I am able to comfortably switch between my running shoes and Crocs.

 

[flipflopmom]

the cortizone shot just before we left worked wonders for DH! He wore teva's, but not sandals. Kind of like loafers. Took an ice pack with beads in it, iced and stretched it out with a towel every night.

 

[DMGeurts]

I have PF, as well and have been suffering for about 18 months. I also hate tennis shoes and "granny sandals" - I must have flip flops for the summer. Finally, after searching and searching, I found a pair with a hard sole and high arch (which is what I needed) - seriously it's -20 deg here and I wear these all over the house. I found them at The Walking Company in the Mall of America. It has to be this brand though and this style (the other styles don't have the hard supportive sole) - a little spendy, but worth their weight in GOLD!

Here's the link - and they do ship. This is the exact pair I have:
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=8995&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand

And here are the links to a few others, same sole different strap...
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=8997&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=5666&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand

HTH!

D~

 

[billwendy]

Hi - Awwww - I totally feel your pain. I did go to the podiatrist and they gave me an anti inflamitory and some exercises to do. What work for me the most in the acute flare was to stretch every day, ice if I could, and then use athletic tape on the bottom of my foot. I work with PT's and they showed me how to do it - make a V on the bottom of your foot going from heel to the base of your toes. Then use a piece to go around your arch. It made me feel soooooo much better and was so supportive. I also found that the beach Crocs do NOT work for me, I get the scutes for flip flops (most comfie ever, they are like double soles!) and the caymans or the Off Roads for the regular type - they seem to be more supportive/not as squishy. There are also some crocs especially for PF, so you may want to try them. I hope you get relief soon!!!!!!!

 

[aubriee]

Thanks everyone! I ordered some Fitflops this weekend and am hoping they'll work. I'm also going to order those that DMGeurts recommended. I also went to Wal Marts and got on that machine they have where you step on it with both feet, then lean forward until the dot goes in the circle, then raise each foot and lean until the dot goes in the circle again. It then recommends a pair of orthopedics for you. I bought them and placed them in my work Crocs. They are helping alot. I'm really hoping I can find some flip flops that work, as I hate tennis shoes. I'll also try the tape, ice, and stretching. If all that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to give up my beloved flip flops and start looking at tennis shoes.

 

[DisneyShannon]

I have an amazing foot doctor the best in the world. And trust me I have paid for his new car. I also have Plantar Fasciitis and I get injections when mine acts up. You talk about pain those injections hurt. my Insurance will not pay for the injections and they are 140 dollars.

Ice can help I work in a hospital so I get a ice pack and soak my foot all day. My doctor told me that new balance tennis shoes are the best shoe you can ever put on your feet.

 

[Goof-abulous]

PF is awful...I tried the tape, the ice, ibuprofen. For me it was mostly time served and not wearing the same shoes everday...This was a problem because I am not a shoe buyer. It took me buying 4 pair of shoes at one time.

 

[benolathe]

Sorry, don't know anything about your condition. But do know that I LOVE my Fit Flops. Wore them on our trip last month and my feet felt great.

 

[mousetravel]

This is what I did that really helped my heel pain. For a couple of weeks, wear some type of shoe that has a "chunky" heel, like boots. That will help with stretching of your foot for a while.

 

[MSMomTJ]

Someone recommended FitFlops to me during my last flare up (the worst one and when I found out that I have PF), and they did WONDERS. I highly recommend them.

New Balance shoes are terribly uncomfortable to me because the arches inside are not where my arches are. The only tennis shoes that are comfortable for me are Nikes, and I put a Dr. Scholls Heel Pain Relief insert in them. I also put the inserts in my flats so I can wear them.

I definitely think a key thing is to not wear the same shoes every day. Other than my FitFlops, any shoe that I wear three days in a row causes me pain.

Exercises definitely help. I love the stretch where you stand with the front of your foot on a step and let the back of your foot hang off. I also keep my foot flexed when I'm getting in bed while I'm reading. My foot gets stretched for a while before I go to sleep, and it actually does help me in the morning.

Hmm...I wonder if it will be too cool to wear my FitFlops during my mid-March trip.... Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do!

 

[benolathe]

Hmm...I wonder if it will be too cool to wear my FitFlops during my mid-March trip.... Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do!

The weather should be fine in mid-March. I wore my Fit Flops the last week of December. They were GREAT shoes for the parks!

Wish I could wear mine year-round at home, but there's snow on the ground here.