Foot problems in WDW... the AGONY of de FEET!

[flyinglizard]

I hope this is the right place to post this subject...

After many years of having problems with my feet while walking at WDW, I just came back from our most recent trip without any pain or problems, and no limping during the last days.

First- I have had Plantar fasciitis (heel spurs, heel pain) for more than a decade. Walking around all the parks, and driving for long periods with the air on, has always made it painfully flare up. I've been drinking a new fruit juice product for several months called Xango and apparently it has helped. I had one problem after driving for about an hour and a half with the air conditioning vented down. NO other problems in the heels or arches with walking! Plus I've notice more energy after the Xango builds up in my system.

Second- I have always had a problem with a blister forming on the bottom of each center toe that develops under a callous after a few days of walking at WDW. By the last few days of our trips, walking was extremely painful.

DW came up with a solution called Shea butter. I used it each night and each morning, simply rubbing it into the toes. No callouses, no blisters, no limping, no pain!

Shoes are exactly the same as last painful trip: SAS walkers and NB tenners, alternating each day. Tried a mix of cotton socks one day, synthetic the next with good results.

In the past I've tried band-aids, mole skin, spray deoderant on the toes, soaking feet, popping the blisters, etc, but never beat the problems until now.

It's my hope that sharing this info will help somebody out there to spend a week walking around WDW without the pain that I used to have. Please PM me if you need further details or want to share some new tips.

 

[Straitlover]

Thanks for the tips!

One I have - you can get CoolMax socks at Target now. I bought a 2 pack of Danskin Freestyle the other day for 3.99. I got the quarter crew, but they ahve other styles, too. I've only worn them once, but they worked really well. I ahd them on all day doing a lot of walking, and it was very hot out, too. When I took my shoes off that night, the socks were nice and dry as were my feet. My feet were hurting, but that was because of the shoes, not the socks . I proclaim the socks to be a great success and a lot cheaper than the ones from the sporting goods stores!

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

No kidding! I have Plantar problems, too. After walking a great deal, it feels like the bottoms of my feet have been beaten with a stick!!

New Balance 608 have helped a tremendous amount! But, even with pre-streatching, and anti-inflamitories, etc, I stillhave some problems.

So, where did you find this stuff? How do you take it? We leave June 18, so maybe I should start this soon?

Thanks!!

 

[4greatboys]

I do have problems getting blisters on my toes. I usually wrap each toe with a bandaid and that helps me not get any.

 

[Grumpy92]

For blisters spray your feet with Arrid Extra Dry Deodorant. This is a tried and true remedy by many disers. Avon also has an anti blister product.

 

[CanadaPT]

Here are some suggestions:
1. Bring a tennis ball with you or purchase a can of soup and keep it by your bed. In the morning (or crack of dawn for most of you DISers!) "roll" your foot over the ball or soup can for at least 1 minute. YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE STEPPING OUT OF BED!!
If you step out of bed before warming up the plantar fascia, the fasica will rip again and inflame, setting up your foot for pain for the rest of the day.

2. Stretch your calf muscles early in the morning and during your touring. There are many opportunities to stretch while waiting in line! Hold those stretches for at least 15 seconds each.

3. While visiting attractions, make sure that your foot lays FLAT on the floor of the ride car (or theatre) and do not allow your foot to rest on it's toes. This will shorten the plantar fasica and make it very uncomfortable once you get up after the ride is finished. Keeping your feet flat keeps the fasica stretched out! (This is why driving can be so hard for many people because they just use their toes to press the accelerator and brake).

Hope these tips help!! Follow these suggestions and your plantar fasciitis will feel much better and maybe even resolve!

 

[gogiant]

These socks that you mention that we can get at Target - are they the type to be worn closest to the skin? I have bad feet and this is our first time going there and I hope my feet don't ruin it for me.

 

[imamicki2]

I have actually had the surgery on both feet for the plantar I used to be in so much pain, that it was all I thought about. It has been a miracle. I am fearing my first disney trip since then, but if I wear the right shoes hopefully things will be good.

 

[Straitlover]

gogiant,

the socks look like just regular old socks. Part of the yarns making them up is the CoolMax fiber that wicks moisture away from the skin.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

What a great thread!

Wonderful tips from everyone!

I always have problems when I get out of bed with my right foot killing me. The pain goes away after ten or fifteen minutes of walking.
I will have to try that tennis ball trick.

I have never been told I have plantar fasciitis, but I do have sciatica affecting my right leg and foot. I also have a cyst on my right ankle pressing on the nerves there. I finally got up the nerve to have it removed, so that happens in two weeks. I am hoping that resolves at least some of my pain.

I have always put mole skin on my hot spots, the same places get blisters every trip to WDW.

And my dad swears by the Coolmax products. I might just get those socks!

 

[flyinglizard]

OK everybody... these Cool Max Socks at Target, do they have them in mens sizes? How about colors?

Girls Scout Leader- I wore NB 842 and SAS Time Out walkers. I tried the pre-stretch exercises against the wall and heel/toe flexes in bed before I got out of bed. Some relief, but not total.

CanadaPT- You sound like a podiatrist! Yeah, for me driving for an hour or more is a killer, not just my accelerator foot- both of them. I do get relief by using cruise control and doing a little dance with my feet occasionally while driving, including pushing hard on the far left firewall with both feet. I tried flat foot on the gas, didn't seem to help much. Not sure how much toe pressure I was using. Do you think A/C aggravates the problem? Any other tips for long distance drivers???

I will try the tennis ball tip. Your input is greatly appreciated, thank you.

I've tried the spray deoderant on the toes and did not avoid the blisters under the callous. But using the Shea butter pretty much eliminated the callousing.

Thank you everyone for your tips and suggestions. Anyone else out there with some good advice?

 

[Disney Doll]

I have plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, mostly in my right foot, and I swear by Birkenstocks...shoes or sandals. depending on the season. They have a high supportive arch, which I think makes all the difference.

The tennis ball thing is a good idea. I have also used a golf ball. It kills for the first 3-5 minutes that oyu do it, but after that, it feels so good!

I also try to do stretches while I am standing in line...I do a cross-sountry ski type stretch where you point your toes in & bend at the knees. You should feel the stretch up the back of your calf. I hold that poistion for 15 seconds, then rest for 10-15 seconds then repeat 10 times. I do these throughout the day, as we're waiting in line mostly.

All in all though, the Birkenstocks have made the biggest difference for me.

 

[Matt's Aunt]

I am recovering from a rupture of the plantar fascia in my left foot. I'm five weeks post injury and am hoping to be 100% by the time of our trip in October. The stretching exercises defintely help. Also, arch inserts for your tennis shoes will help a lot. Don't forget to ice your foot in the evening when returning to the hotel. Fill in plastic soda pop bottle with water and freeze it, then roll your foot over it repeatedly.

 

[tomerin]

i too have had foot problems for the past year. i somehow managed to pinch a nerve right under the second toe. very painful by the middle of the day. since i am on my feet all day due to work and also our upcoming trip to disney i finally decided to have it taken care of. yesterday i had the offending nerve removed. today no pain i feel like doing the 55 day dance, well no dancing yet.

with the removal of the foot problems and the stretching exercises the doctor is giving me to help ease the tightness in both calves i am so ready for the july vacation. this time we are planning to do both trails in AK and as well enjoy a trip from WL to FW. so with de feet not going to defeat me this july i am very very excited.

sometimes you forget just how much feet problems effect you whole body. especially your back


sorry so long just happy foot is better

i will as soon as i can i will add the idea about the tennis ball exercise. sounds like a good idea

 

[flyinglizard]

whoa... I had forgotten about needing to use the ice at night.

Glad I'm not there anymore!

 

[JoniGirl]

Originally posted by Girls Scout Leader
No kidding! I have Plantar problems, too. After walking a great deal, it feels like the bottoms of my feet have been beaten with a stick!!

New Balance 608 have helped a tremendous amount! But, even with pre-streatching, and anti-inflamitories, etc, I stillhave some problems.

So, where did you find this stuff? How do you take it? We leave June 18, so maybe I should start this soon?

Thanks!!

I have to agree. I got my first pair of New Balance last year, and they are the best shoes for a day of walking. My feet didn't even hurt! Now my shins...

 

[rcdisneyfam]

We go in August and I hope that the surgery that DH had helps. I have printed all of the posts from this thread and will leave for him to read. Thanks for all the good tips for his foot problem. Seems like he is not alone. Happy Walking!!!

 

[Dalpal]

Anyone use tuct tape to prevent blisters?
I read that works.
Dont wrap with it . Just use pieces on the hot spots.

 

[CoMickey]

Originally posted by Dalpal
Anyone use tuct tape to prevent blisters?
I read that works.
Dont wrap with it . Just use pieces on the hot spots.

What is tuct tape? I always have problems with blisters at WDW...would love to prevent them for our upcoming trip.

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't have plantar fascitis, but I'm a barefooter from way back. The soles of my feet are very hard and callused. This is fine when I'm actually barefoot, but you can't do WDW barefoot.

After long bouts of walking on concrete, I get pain in the soles of my feet in the spots where the soles are most calloused. The podiatrist tells me that I am internally bruising my foot, because walking on those callouses is like walking with a broad flat rock inside my shoe. When the muscle is caught between that callous and the bone, it takes a pounding.

I also use Shea butter, and similar high-moisture vegetable lotions to soften up the callouses before I do any serious walking. It softens the callouses and lessens the impact on my foot muscles. I do use antiperspirant to prevent blisters on the top surfaces of my feet as well.