OT: Plantar Fascitis

[jpeka65844]

Okay....95% sure I have this. I literally spent the summer barefoot and pregnant and my feet are paying for it.

Does anyone have some good recommendations for shoes that are kinda attractive but don't break the bank??

Especially shoes for touring WDW?

 

[smphbear]

It is no fun. My advice on shoes is to get a pair with good supportive insoles. I went to a local shoe store that caters to runners. I told them what was going on. He looked at the way I walked and how my foot was shaped. He knew his shoes and put me in the pair that was best for my foot. I live in my tennis shoes.

The best advice however was from my doctor. I am putting the link with the exercises he had me do. I see a huge difference by doing them.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/treatments/ss/stretch.htm

 

[lisah0711]

So sorry to hear that you have this. Don't be afraid to see a podiatrist if it doesn't get better -- I limped around with PF way too long.

I love my Merrell shoes. I wear the jungle mocs in the winter and sandals in the summer.

Good luck!

 

[PeterPan09]

I found an OTC night splint that works really well for me. I bought mine at Target and it wasn't that expensive.

 

[momrek06]

Yes, for starters go to Wal Mart or Target and get the Dr. Scholls inserts for those with heel issues (PF). They are not overly pricey and you will notice a difference right away. Buy a few pairs and put them in all your shoes.
In the evening, while you are sitting watching tv, massage your foot, stretch it forward and backwards.

Now I want to say I have never been diagnosed with PF but describing the issues to many of my friends (we are all runners) they agreed this was what I was suffering the beginning stages of …

I was at a huge street faire here in SD last summer and there was a booth demonstrating "Happy Feet" therapeutic massaging insoles. I bought them and love them. Awesome inserts. So in 6 months time, I feel almost NO more issues with PF.

Good luck.

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

I got this from my wonderful Mickey Mouse Crocs!!! There was no doubt about it. I ended up with many cortizone shots and finally had TOPAZ, and after about 4 months, totally better! Took a while to get to that stage, after all else failed, but still use orthodics without pain...more of a preventative measure.

http://www.topazinfo.com/home.aspx

 

[simmons_m]

Something that has helped me is rolling out my arches by standing on a golf ball. The golf ball travels well, and does not require freezer time like the water bottle recommendation.
Good luck.

 

[aspen37]

I have PF in one foot from tearing my Achilles Tendon. I love the toe dip stretch. This seems to have really helped me.

I don't need special shoes, so I can't help with that.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/treatments/ss/stretch_3.htm

 

[bsusanmb]

I have worn different shoes and the latest that I found that work are shape ups by Sketchers. I was a doubter but they really took the weight off my heel and arch. Love them.

 

[Michele]

I suffered with PF in both feet for over a year. Saw a podiatrist, chiropractor, got custom inserts. It is finally better one year after I bought some good supportive running shoes( I got Asics) and I have lived in them for a solid year. I rarely wear anything else and when I do it is for just a short time.

 

[princessbride6205]

I had this 8 years ago. Stretching/flexing the foot and rolling the golf ball on the arch both worked well.
As for shoes, my podiatrist told me to go to a running store or specialty shoe store and get fit for Asics sneakers.
PF can affect people with flat feet as well as high arches. I was in the high arch camp, so getting shoes and insoles with arch support helped me.
I've had luck with some of the Teva sandals - even though they are not super supportive, they had enough support for theme park walking.

 

[sayhello]

The biggest help I've found is wearing shoe inserts. I had prescription ones, and they worked the best until an unrelated condition caused my other foot to swell, and the hard orthotic was to painful to wear. My doctor suggested I buy Spenco OTC inserts, and they work wonderfully.

The stretches folks have suggested are also great.

Sayhello

 

[MelissaFromRI]

3 things have helped me out:

1. Stretching & flexing my foot

2. Icy Hot cream / gel / patches

3. Crocs - I can walk pain free in Crocs

 

[elaine and the boys]

I never go barefoot anymore. Threw away all my flats. Only wear slippers just before bed and first thing in the morning. Other than that, I wear supportive shoes/sneakers all day. This is key for me...excellent arch support completely reversed my condition over time. Ariat brand shoes and New Balance sneakers are my favorite choices for comfortable, good supporting footwear.

 

[Kimberle]

Stretching every morning helps 100%! Always wear something on your feet, don't go bearfoot.

I wear my Berkinstocks to the parks. I can't wear sneakers. I get bad blisters when my toes are enclosed.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I've had plantar fasciitis for more than 20 years now. I have a (very old) web page with some information about the condition. Not all the links work now, but most do and some of the info is still useful, especially a link about taping, which can be very helpful for a very bad flare-up.
http://bugsbest.com/plantar.htm I haven't updated the site in years, and for some reason the formatting has gone wacky, so try to overlook all that.

The link to the ProStretch doesn't work anymore, I noticed, and it really did help me. It's an easy way to make sure that you stretch the right way, which can be hard for people. I'm an old ortho nurse, and I know how important it is to stretch the right muscles. You can find it pretty cheaply online - just do a Google search.

Other than stretching, icing really helped me to get the inflammation down. Know that you have to wear supportive shoes - that means arch supports at all times, either custom or OTC, or Birkenstocks, or even Crocs. Crocs work great for me, but are horrid for other folks. You just have to see what works for you.

If these 'intermediate' measures don't help, then a trip to the Orthopaedist is in order. Steroid shots can make a world of difference! Good luck!!

 

[momrek06]

OP, I wanted to mention also that during the really bad months I stayed away from the treadmill and running altogether. My new 'cardio' friend is the elliptical. I have been able to continue my workout and stay in shape having the PF by using that piece of equipment in the gym. I never really liked it before but never gave it a chance. Wow, I feel I get an amazing w/o on the elliptical.

So while you are in the stages of trying to get the PF under control, I would do all of the advice given from the inserts to the stretching but to also limit running.

 

[kevrab]

My wife has it and wears Dansko shoes which she says helps alot.

 

[FireDancer]

You might want to consider going to a local running store. PF is a somewhat common running injury and they might have suggestions for inserts and shoes. Along the same lines go to Runner's World and do a search because they have some remedies and recommendations.

 

[Cherinva]

I had to buy good insoles...well worth the money, and I can wear my tennis shoes while I'm at WDW