Heel pain 2 weeks before WDW

[Cookie Princess]

With all my pre-vacation walking I was doing to break in my new sneakers, I developed plantar fascitis in my heel. I have been told it normally takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks to improve. I only have 2 1/2 weeks. Has anyone else had this problem who can recommend an accelerated recovery plan? HELP...

 

[PixiePop]

Hi~
I have the same condition. I would recommend going to a doctor and getting a prescription for Bextra (it helps relieve the inflamation). Also, if you have time and the physician is willing (it isn't always used right away) you can get a cortizone injection. I have had it and the pain is gone in a matter of a couple of days. Along with that there are some stretching exercises that you can do twice a day to help stretch out the fascia. I guess the bottom line is get to a physician (preferably a podiatrist) as soon as possible to start treatment.

If you have any questions just let me know.


Pixie

 

[redapple2002]

I have the same problem! I started walking about a month ago to shed a few pounds. OK- more than a "few", but back to the point. Hubby and I were walking, and I challenged him to a race (which he won of course). In my mad dash to win I must have pulled the bottom of my heal. For two weeks I have been limping around the house while hubby laughs at me. Unfortunately we leave for Florida on Nov 1st. The only thing that seems to help is a good pair of sneakers with lots of cushioning. But even then, the pain is just tolerable.

Can someone fill me in on those exercizes?

 

[swilphil]

You already have some good advice here. There's one more thing that will help. Buy some insoles--really, really good ones. I bought some $40 ones from a sporting goods store. You get them hot with a hair dryer and then mold them to your feet. The stretches also help quite a bit, and never walk around barefoot or even in shoes that don't have any cushion support.

 

[chi-mom]

I had this same problem last year and the key is early treatment. Insoles are your best friend. I bought several of these: http://www.tvproducts4less.com/ph4or.html and keep them in my shoes all the time. Antiinflamatory meds such as Advil also help. Stretch your feet several times a day-especially when first getting out of bed. To do this you can use a belt or long towel, and hold both ends while the middlie is around the end of your foot-then gradually stretch toward you to feel it in your calf muscles. Good luck!!!!

 

[capthooksmom]

I have the same problem, which is made much worse because I love to go barefoot. My podiatrist has a list of tennis shoes that he recommends for it. If I can find the list, I will PM you. I ended up with Brooks Ariel tennis shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever tried. I buy my shoes from a sports shop that mostly sells running shoes. They can watch you walk and look at your feet and recommend the right type of shoes. This is an independent sports shop, not a chain. All of the shoes I tried on from the "list" had lots of support. The only other name I remember was New Balance, but I don't remember which "model".
Also, I couldn't take the cortisone shot, so my doctor taped my foot. I didn't even feel the pain while it was taped. A tight foot brace might work as well.
I agree that you shouldn't go barefoot. My doctor advised me never to wear any other shoes besides the tennis shoes. I would invest in the shoes and wear them all of the time.

 

[worlddreamer]

If anyone would like a page of stretches and exercises you can do for plantar fasciitis, please PM me with your email address. I will send the one we use (I work with a physical therapist).

Oh, and don't forget to ice it. The easiest way to do this is to fill a coke bottle with water, freeze it, and then roll your foot over the top of it until your foot and heel are numb. It's ice and massage in one!

Good Luck!
~Sara

 

[NCRedding]

The exercise that worked best for me was very simple. Using a can of soup, roll you foot over it from heel to toes and back while sitting down. I did this while putting on my make-up or sitting at my desk at work. It really helped make it feel better.

 

[Melisa1]

I have the same problem too! I found heel inserts that are wonderful at www.heel-that-pain.com
I was at the point where I didn't think anything could help me, these are lifesavers for me!

 

[huckster]

i was pending surgery for this along with other foor surgery tarsal tunnel and a very large cyst . i still went to wdw be sure to get a pain relifer from dr. i took one at night and used 800 motrin also. uesed the heel inserts helped some. good luck!!

 

[Lori S.]

I have the same problem, and let me tell you from experience, the ONLY thing that will help when you are going to be on your feet as long as you are is a shot. I nearly died when the dr suggested it, but I went back later and requested one when I was going to have to be standing on cement for ridiculously long periods of time.

My dr recommends New Balance, and nothing without a good heel support (no slides )

You also need custom made orthotics, this has made the biggest difference for me. You put these in your New Balance or whatever, and they help. You couldn't get this in time for DW, but my dr also wrapped my foot and made a temp brace custom for my foot, this helped a lot.

Just do something, you will die in Disney without some help.

And, ice every night after the parks, it helps, no heat, just ice.

 

[DisFam95]

I developed plantar fasciitis and went to shoe store specializing in fitting runners (but you don't have to be a runner). I had been in excruciating pain for about 3 months and just put off going to a doctor. I could not walk in the morning w/o nails going into my heel and me screaming across the bedroom. The lady fitted me with New Balance slides and also a shoe for my treadmill. She showed me that on most brands on the inside edge of the sole you should see grey and that meant more medial stability. I guess that grey area is standard marking on most top brand shoes.

She also suggested an insole called SuperFeet. I wore those shoes all day long (which she told me not to go barefoot). I woke up the next day and had about 85% pain relief. I actually went back to the store and thanked her!! I'm pain free now and I swear by the shoes and inserts..it's the only thing I modified. I did stretched for a few days but that was it. After 3 months of pain and a few days in proper fitting shoes and inserts did it.

 

[snwarf]

For anyone who has had it for a lengthy amount of time and does not respond to conservative treatment, there is now a new (but expensive) treatment called Sonorex. It is not FDA approved (or it was not 7 months ago) for plantar fasciitis, but many orthopods will use it to treat it. It basically sends shocks into the heel where the pain is at and destroys it along the same lines as lithotrispy destroys a kidney stone. It is called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy and is approved for tennis elbow but also can be used for PF.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

I have been surviving with Plantar Fasciitis for a few years now, mostly under control now after seeking medical attention, doing exercises and wearing proper footwear.

If you have the time, I urge any one with this problem to seek the advice of either a podiatrist, physical therapist or chiropractor that deals with this problem in their practise. There are things they can do to immediately relieve pain, like ultrasound and acupuncture.

Next, there are exercises they will recommend for your feet, like scrunching up a towel with your bare foot, and rolling a golf ball along the sole of your foot.

Number one, after starting treatment, is to cease going barefoot around the house or wearing flat footed shoes and runners, especially the popular slip on kind.

If you have time, get fitted for professional orthotics, where they make a cast of your foot to make an insole for your shoes. Wearing shoes like these over a long period of time, will go a long way toward eliminating the problems associated with plantar fasciitis.

Also, invest in a pair of Birkenstock or Mephisto brand sandals that have a good arch support and wear these at home or if you can at work. The more you wear these types of footwear, the better you willl feel!!!!

 

[Lori S.]

As far as Birks go, can I, with plantar facitis, wear the Birk mules? I know my podiatrist doesn't like slides generally, but I wondered about them as better than others.

Thanks for your info.

 

[bsusanmb]

I went to WDW for two weeks in Sept with a flare up of my PF. It was excrutiating. I cannot wear Birkenstocks at all. The arch of my foot hurts too much. I used to have orthotics, but needed new ones. So, I read everything on this board that I could. I bought New Balance sneakers - a wide width and went at the end of the day to assure they would be big enough, bought those expensive insoles - the name of them escapes me, but you can get them at any good athletic footwear store - they have a gel heel, and are about $40. I also bought thorlo socks, which are right around the arch of the foot, and took zip lock bags to ice my heel at bedtime. I was able to make it, but I must say, every morning I thought I was walking on stumps instead of feet. I am headed to the podiatrist next week as we are returning to WDW in Dec. I feel for you. It is awful - I took aleve for the pain. Standing in one place is a killer - don't do it - if you keep moving, do up and down on your tip toes for exercises, it helps.

The catch 22 is that if you try to walk to lose weight, you heels hurt, so you stop walking to avoid the pain and rest your feet and you gain more weight!!!

Good luck to you, and by all means have FUN
Susan

 

[2BOYMOM]

I have got the shot 2 times. I can tell you, the shot is VERY painful but it leaves you pain free for a few months. I would not try Disney without the shot because walking funny from the foot pain causes other problems - my hip starts hurting then things go downhill from there. But just be aware if you decide to go the shot route - the shot hurts and my Podiatrist will only give it to me 2 times per year. I could really use one now, but I am waiting until January (we leave for Disney in February).

Snwarf - my doc did provide me info on Sonorex but you are right, it is expensive and my insurance will not cover it. They won't even cover the professional orthotics.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

Lori S. - Birks slides are perfect for around the house, but not for long distance walking, because your heel can move around and aggravaate your PF. But this is still better than walking around barefoot or going outside with flat runners or slip on shoes. Your best bet is orthortics in runners for longer periods.