Need advice - foot pain

[roselark]

I will be taking my 4th trip to the world in May. On my last 2 trips (Dec 07 and Nov 08), I experienced horrible pain on the bottoms of my feet. I do get heel spurs but this pain is different. It is across the entire bottoms of both feet. The pain is less when I am walking, and gets much worse when I am just standing still...like standing in line.

This did not happen my first trip in 2006. I wore sturdy tennis shoes the entire time. In Dec 2007 I started off wearing tennis shoes, but by the end of the first day my feet were killing me. I bought a pair of Crocs on my 3rd day and the pain was more tolerable, but still pretty bad. On my most recent trip, I wore Crocs the entire time. My feet started hurting at the end of the 2nd day, and while it never got as bad as the prior trip, it was still very uncomfortable.

Anyone have any advice? I was thinking about taking a pair of tennis shoes and my 2 pairs of crocs and wearing a different pair every day. What about inserts? Are there any that might help? I will be there 10 days in May and I really, really want to avoid foot pain. It really affected my enjoyment on my last 2 trips.

 

[vicki_c]

Google plantar fasciitis -- sounds exactly like what you have.

Inserts (but custom, expensive ones) helped me for WDW, and very good supportive running shoes. A frozen water bottle rolled under your foot for 15 minutes or so when back in the room can help a lot as well.

There are also stretching exercises that you can do.

 

[Eljay]

I think I would make an appointment with a podiatrist, for a consultation. Your feet shouldn't hurt like that. Good luck, I hope there is a simple solution to your problem!

BTW, Crocs are my footwear of choice at WDW.

 

[dogodisney]

Gel inserts may help. I have problems with my heels when I do alot of walking and the gel heel inserts have helped me.

 

[disney1990]

One thing you might also try is to start walking more now so that you can build up before your next trip.

People don't realize how hard it is to literally walk all day long. My feet usually hurt so bad by day 3 at the World.

 

[MaryKLady]

By no means am I a doctor. I did work for a podiatrist for a few years so here is my advice...

Any pain, no matter where it is, if it interferes with your life should be looked at by a doctor...better safe than sorry. You may just need a "good" insert better than the ones at the beauty/drug store. You can get a soft yet sturdy one from a podiatrist or a medical supply, I am recalling the name Spenco? I have a pair and they are great but the name is worn off, sorry. Good luck to you.

 

[mikehn]

If your feet still hurt wearing a pair of crocs, Im afraid there might not be a cure for you.

 

[Eljay]

If your feet still hurt wearing a pair of crocs, Im afraid there might not be a cure for you.

Say it ain't so, Doc!!!

 

[sceavis]

Yes Google plantar fasciitis. Have your foot looked at and measured for true size and width.I have it and it is a real killer so I know what u mean.Once you get your size and width look into New Balance sneakers with roll bar technology. Do some research on different models of sneakers from new balance they have sneakers specialized for people with foot issues.They can cost upwards $130.00 for a pair of but It is well worth It.I did all of this before I went to Disney this past Christmas.With the new sneakers no pain at all walking around the parks.It was amazing

 

[wilde_oscar]

when you google plantar faciatis be sure to look for the stretching exercises, they can help prevent as well as help heal

 

[bkaz]

I have plantar fasciitis and have for quite a few years...unfortunately it's hard to heal! My advice is Crocs with a pair of Dr. Scholl gel inserts...that's what I do each day at WDW and I rarely have foot pain. I also use ibuprofen and the frozen bottle of water if I start to have pain. Mine is primarily around the heal and arch of the foot...and worse in the morning. Tennis shoes KILL my feet if I wear them for the amount of walking that I do at WDW, although I do sometimes where my Nike sandals too.

 

[roselark]

Google plantar fasciitis -- sounds exactly like what you have.

I am pretty sure I have this though I referred to it as heel spurs. I know they aren't exactly the same, but they normally are found together and it is easier to spell heel spur I am very familiar with the heel pain associated with this, and it is not the same pain I experienced in the parks.

I have not been officially diagnosed though, so I have not checked with the doctor yet. I assumed that the pain would be localized to the heel. I wonder if it is possible that during this type of activity, the pain is extending out across my entire foot?

 

[tkitty]

Maybe two years ago, I was having pain in my feet that wasas you discribed, although more from hel thru instep. Another lady at work was diagnosed with Plantars Faceitis (sp), and was getting steroid shots for hers. She gave me advise that worked for me.
-Stretch your calves and feet before getting out of bed, and after sitting.
-New Balance are the shoes of choice.
-Try instep/heal inserts- I found some at Walmart, I think they are Dr Sholes, that are more solid rubber, raised at the instep, cup the heal. I also use a heal support when I have extra pain. It is like a ace type elastic that you slide onto your foot and it is snug on your instep and around the back of your heal.
-Ice after being on your feet, when needed.

It took at least 6 monthes for my feet to really feel normal (one always would get worse than the other.
The best thing I found was sticking with the New Balance shoe with the insert-when my feet start to hurt, I know I need new shoes!

I still will take flip flops on vacation, but as soon as my feet start getting sore, on go the New Balance!

 

[MaryKLady]

Yes, "PF" can affect your whole foot as mine did....it feels like you're 100 years old and can't walk! Most times it has nothing to do with your "heel spur". Many people have them and never have a problem. Years ago the surgical fix for spurs was to grind them down and most times it didn't help because that was not the cause of the pain. It is caused by, again I'm not a doctor, the tendon/muscle that runs from the back of your heel and down the center of the bottom of your foot. It can get very tight and "stuck" in that position causing the discomfort and pain. That is why Motrin and the frozen water bottle can help a lot. Also, a very good pair of properly fitting shoes with or sometimes without orthodics can work wonders. Also, you may notice wearing a shoe with a slight heel feels better. That is because the elevation of your heel relieves the pressure of that tight tendon. Go see a Dr., they can help a lot with this condition.

 

[3boys4me]

It does sound like plantar fasciitis to me too. On a previous trip to Disney I came down with this problem, in just one foot. I went to a pordiatrist and had a couple of injections, spaced apart(don't remember how long in between) but it felt better after the first one.. Definitely go get it checked because if you wait to long injections may not help. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[roselark]

Wow, thanks everyone! You guys are awesome! It is definitely time I go see a Dr about this. I think I will also get fitted for New Balance shoes in the meantime. Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[d1gitman]

one word, Podiatrist. That's what they are there for, your feet.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Check out: Heel that Pain shoe inserts. A couple years ago I was having similar problems to yours and I found info regarding these inserts on a thread here on the DIS. I checked their website, ordered some (I was skeptical, frankly) but they definitely worked! Now I have them in all my sneakers. Check out:

http://www.heel-that-pain.com/?gclid=CJDkrojp55kCFdxM5Qod_n4nRg

and see if you think these might be helpful. Good luck with whatever solution works for you. It is impossible to properly enjoy WDW when your feet hurt!

 

[dansamy]

Plantar fasciitis is definitely not the same thing as heel spurs. PF is soft tissue. Heel spurs are bone. The two conditions are commonly found in conjunction. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel bone to the ball of your foot. It basically forms and supports the "arch" of your foot.

3 things:

Good shoes - I love NB, but I know a podiatrist that swears by Crocs Rx.

Good insoles/inserts/orthotics - You may not need custom ones, only your doctor can help you decide what's the best choice for the health of your feet

Podiatrist - Make him your new best friend. I'm super cranky if my feet hurt. Most people are shorter-tempered if they are in pain.

 

[vicki_c]

I think it's already been said, but yes p.f. definitely affects more than your heels. My heels hurt if I stand long also, but it's really the arch of my foot that hurts the worst.

And I agree with all the PP - definitely go to your doctor - I didn't say that in my first post, but I should have - I didn't self-diagnose or anything, I went to the doctor.