Plantar Faciitis-what shoes do you walk/run in?

[PeterPan09]

I'm guessing someone on here has an answer.

My job for the last couple of years has involved standing 8-16 hours a day and it has done a number on my feet. I don't know that it's true plantar faciitis because I don't have that "I can't walk when I get out of bed" thing that is characteristic of that injury. I do have some pretty severe pain in the arch area right along the inside of my foot just next to the heel. Both feet are involved, but the right is worse than the left.

It stopped me from running and I don't even walk anymore. I was swimming, but I can't do that every day and if I don't have something to do every day I lose my motivation and stop altogether-then I gain weight, get depressed....really rotten cycle.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

 

[tpaetz]

I developed this after I had surgery for a calcified achilles tendon. My physical therapist suggested new balance withe heel lifts in them. I work at a credit union so I have to wear dress shoes daily, so when I get to where my new balances it seem to help. They also suggested rolling my heel on a tennis ball to massage the area.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[catherine]

Have you tried strapping your foot. I have PF and I'm on my feet 10 hours a day. I recently purchased a support strap that goes around my arch, so I strap it up and wear my crocs. It has made so much difference, I'm now no longer experiencing the pain that I had previously. The only problem is it makes my shoe a bit tighter because I have a high instep.

Good luck!

 

[lisah0711]

I lived with PF for over a year. I now wear Merrell shoes for my every day shoes. They even have flip flops that have great arch support. I also have custom fit orthotics that I can wear if I get a flare up.

For my running shoes I have Brooks now with Superfeet Berry inserts. I also had a pair of Sauconys for running but I got way too many blisters.

I would go to a podiatrist and get an evaluation and recommendation from them. They have a lot more options and more experience with these things.

Also, don't suffer needlessly. Some part of me thought I "deserved" sore feet because I am overweight. You need to be able to move to get healthy. Good luck!

 

[PeterPan09]

I lived with PF for over a year. I now wear Merrell shoes for my every day shoes. They even have flip flops that have great arch support. I also have custom fit orthotics that I can wear if I get a flare up.

For my running shoes I have Brooks now with Superfeet Berry inserts. I also had a pair of Sauconys for running but I got way too many blisters.

I would go to a podiatrist and get an evaluation and recommendation from them. They have a lot more options and more experience with these things.

Also, don't suffer needlessly. Some part of me thought I "deserved" sore feet because I am overweight. You need to be able to move to get healthy. Good luck!

Oh wow...you hit that one right where I live. The weight gain from inactivity has brought that one right to the front of my mind.

I have been to podiatrists and I do have a night splint. I also use a frozen water bottle after work at night and take Advil. I haven't tried a support strap during the day though, that sounds like an option.

The MD didn't really give me a good answer on shoes, because he said everyone has a different experience. I have heard NB mentioned a couple of times so I may look into those.

 

[mamacate]

You might want to try a different doc. It sounds like this one didn't really answer your questions. I've got some autoimmune issues and my son has autism and I've learned from these experiences that you have to be a self-advocate to get good treatment sometimes. You probably already know this, but the whole "I deserve it" thing can be a real trap when it comes to self-advocacy. You deserve to have quality health care and you deserve to earn a living and stay fit. These are not unreasonable things to ask for help with in a medical context, and size has nothing to do with it. You know this, I'm sure, but sometimes it's helpful to have a reminder from someone else.

One other thought--the first time I tried C25K I wore the "running" shoes I found on the discount rack, and I got sidelined by a bad case of PF. I finally took the advice I read everywhere and went to a running store and got them to look at my stride. (I'm only 10 lbs overweight but it took an incredible amount of self-talk and courage to walk into that store.) They were very nice and told me I was a slight overpronator, and put me in a slightly more structured shoe. Even if you're not running right now, it might not be a bad idea to have a running store analyze your gait and recommend shoes based on what your feet do when you walk/run. You can even get your gait analyzed via video upload at running warehouse and probably other online stores too.

Good luck.

Cate

 

[travisx4]

These are the things that have helped me.

1. Roll your bare foot on a golf ball, as much pressure as you can apply
2. Soak your whole foot in an ice water bath, as long as you can stand it
3. Stretch your calfs, both front and back all the time. A tight calf leads to more pull on the tendon.

 

[believe]

I was just recently diagnosed. Wearing sandals most of the summer was the cause. When I wear my orthodics I don't have any pain.