Plantar Fasciitis - Cortizone Shot Monday, Disney Saturday?!?!

[Luv2Roam]

I must have been lucky. I was in bad shape by the time I went to a doctor. And they could not do a thing for me. I was hoping for a padded boot of some sort. They said I would get atrophy.
Then I went to a podiatrist, where I should have gone in the first place. And I was in such bad shape I was not far from being immobile due to the pain and not being able to put any pressure on my left heel.
After x-rays the podiatrist told me what I had. He said they did not do shots any more and gave me pills to take.
I immediately started using forms and wearing immobilizer shoes by Brooks. (Same ones UPS drivers wear.)
I wasn't back to usual immediately. But just that I could walk and feel mobile again was a vast improvement.
I figured what triggered mine too -- I had started using a Gazelle machine for some light exercise.
Now (what little) I use the Gazelle, as soon as I feel that pull in my heel, off I get.
My impression was if the pain was reoccurring, then surgery was necessary. (And I know someone who had to have the surgery.)
Luckily mine has not returned. And it was around 15 months ago I saw the podiatrist.

There were two shoe types I could buy. Probably the other was New Balance. But the heel portion slipped up and down on me. The Brooks fit perfect.

 

[luvthemouse71]

When my PF begins to flare, I use my night splint. It hold your foot at a 90 degree angle while you sleep. I got mine at CVS. This seems to work for me as well as wearing shoes with support.

Shots aren't really a cure- too many of them and the plantar fascia can rupture.

 

[erincon23]

The problem with Plantar Facitis is that when you get out of bed in the morning and step on the floor, the excruciating pain that you feel is the "re"-injuring of the muscle in your foot, so the best way to begin to heal it is to stretch it out well before you get out of the bed. My podiatrist gave me this to do and I must tell you it worked and I haven't had a flare up in 6 years and my last flare up was 6 weeks before I went to Disney. I was feeling very little pain before I left and was in no more pain than that upon my return and we walked our tails off every day. I will give you the steps he gave me, it takes about 15 minutes every morning before you get out of bed, but is sooo worth it!!!
1) Wrap a heating pad around your ankle and heal area to warm it up well.
2) Take a towel or Bathrobe wrap or belt and loop it under the ball of your foot.
3) Pulling both sides of the towel, wrap or belt pull your foot into a flexed position until it just tugs at the muscle and hold it for a 15 sec. count, do this a few more times pulling a bit further with each pull.
4) Reheat with heating pad.
5) Repeat step 3 and 4 two or three more times until you have done so for 15 minutes.

You have to stretch the muscle without injuring it every morning, it tightens up in your sleep and when you step down is just rips and re-injures it. I also recommend getting a good pair of New Balance shoes, they have high arches in them that will keep the arch up and the muscle flexed and stretched out as you walk. Again, this has worked for me and I swear by it. I've recommended it to several friends who were trying to avoid surgery to correct theirs and they tried and avoided surgery. Give it a try, what have you got to lose.

I totally agree with all of this, but since you're so close to the time you leave, a shot might be your best (short-term) help. I had PF so bad I couldn't walk, and went to a doctor and got the shot -- within two days, I had no pain at all, and went to Six Flags that weekend and walked all over without pain. I do stretches every couple of days now (the shot was at least 12 years ago) and haven't had heel pain since. But the pain of the shot was worse than childbirth... fortunately, it doesn't last that long. Good luck! Start the stretches recommended above immediately, and you should start to feel better!

 

[twins2again]

I had that at disney a year ago and couldnt even walk,I heard crocs helped so I made it to the emporium and bought a pair,it still hurt for about 45 min and then I could feel the pain lessening, I wore them for three mo and realized the problem was gone.They were softer than the reg crocs sort of a spongier feel to the material, they are soooo comfortable. I never even liked crocs but it saved my trip

 

[*Meagan*]

cortizone shots do not work for me! and in the foot HOLY MOLY. ever have a shot in your foot. Oh my heck! Good Luck! I hope you feel better!

 

[branv]

Sending healing thoughts to OP. Bad enough to have those issues, let alone adding it to the WDW marathon.

I can say that I was doing the stretches my doc recommended, and they helped...a little. Then I started doing a beginners yoga video about 3 times a week that they showed on Time Warner's Exercise TV. It was VERY beginner, pretty easy to catch on, lots of modifications shown for people like me (i.e. about as flexible as a cement block, and lots of...errr...extra padding in the way).

It pretty much completely got rid of my pain. No more almost falling over in the morning trying to get out of bed, or taking tiny little steps, hunched over in pain until things loosened up and the pain eased some. Don't get me wrong, my feet could still get sore. But it was normal soreness after a day on my feet, just like any normal person. And let me tell you: I stopped doing the videos for a few months when life got in the way, and good night, boy did it show.

I can guarantee that on my 2011 trip, every morning and night I will be doing an abbreviated sun salutation session in my hotel room

 

[mollybeasley]

I had plantar fasciitist for years and I was told that Cortizone would NOT be good for me. It can help some types of problems, but I think it can actually damage tendons.

Are you going to a Physical Therapist? A good PT can do a lot of things that orthopedists never do. They can do a very effective massage to stretch the tendon. I've never been able to do it myself. My PT also distracts my foot and ankle - which seems to loosen up the bones.

You're not going to get rid of it in 10 days, but you can control the pain. Good orthotics, pain killers, stretching, ice and massage can all help. Ice packs, frozen water bottles, golf balls, etc. can help a lot to relieve the pain.

My personal tip: Bring a few different types of shoes and arch supports. If one causes a severe tender spot, another might ease the pressure off that spot. (This technique enabled me to be much more active on my last trip.)

I now have a different problem and I'm going to PT 3 times a week to try to improve before I go. My plan is to pace myself to do as much as I can for the first few days. (And I'll bring ice packs and ibuprofen to the parks.) But I have a safety net. I know that I can rent one of those electric scooters if it gets really bad.They sometimes run out at the parks, but there are other companies you can call. They'll bring it right to you. ECVs are harder to manage in MK (crowds) and AK (bumps), but are easier to manage - and more needed - at Epcot.

 

[RMulieri]

HAving PF and being an avid runner and an RN on my feet for long stretches...I have done it all, including the shots-waster of time,painful and useless for me..Nothing helped except getting some good shoes, doing ALL the stretches prescibed for me, icing and taking motrin round the clock for 3 weeks, and NOT GOING BAREFOOT ever for longer than shower etc.Since then it has definitely improved.So much so that only after being on my feet for my work shifts does it ache ever so slightly.I do have bad flares now and then, but I mostly got it under control.

 

[ginnymack]

Thanks all!

Just back from the ortho and the verdict was no shot. He said that a steriod shot can actually weaken things for 10-14 days afterward...so while it would certainly help with pain, it would not be good to do so much walking so soon. Instead he gave me the basic treatment plan - stretch, ice, wear my orthotics - all which I have been doing. He also added a Rx anti-inflamatory, a round of oral steriods to take with me if needed, as well as some pain meds if it flares up really badly while we are gone. He suggested that I give it a few weeks and then come in for a shot if the pain is lingering.

Fingers crossed that the pain will not be too bad! I want to be happy because I am at the happiest place on earth - not from being doped up on narcotics!

 

[Jeniferdwn]

We went to MK in February and I was taking muscle relaxers 3 times daily and 1500 mg of acteaminophen or naproxen (which is better but I don't remember how much I used) I still limped and eventually my foot would go numb.
I have very little pain in the summer when I wear flip flops and go bare footed. When I start wearing shoes again, it flares up. I've never had the shots, but the orthopeadic surgeon that I see, told me to roll my foot over a glass coca cola bottle (soemthing about the shape), I wrapped ice on my heel every night for about 1 hr and elevated my foot slightly. THen I stretched the muscles by pulling my foot back towards me. I would stretch it at my desk and anywhere else I had a few minutes. My pain went away completely. I am in alot of pain now and have to start the icing and stretching again.

 

[ginnymack]

Yes! My doc told me to put my foot on the opposite knee and strech my heel while massaging the tendon. He also suggested rolling a tennis ball under my arch while I am sitting at the computer. I am trying that now, but I think it may drive the dog insane!

 

[Michele]

I have Plantar Fasciitis in both feet, my left heel is way worse.

I got a cortizine shot in the left heel on Monday morning and left for WDW on Wednesday, it helped.

 

[mollybeasley]

HAving PF and being an avid runner and an RN on my feet for long stretches...I have done it all, including the shots-waster of time,painful and useless for me..Nothing helped except getting some good shoes, doing ALL the stretches prescibed for me, icing and taking motrin round the clock for 3 weeks, and NOT GOING BAREFOOT ever for longer than shower etc.Since then it has definitely improved.So much so that only after being on my feet for my work shifts does it ache ever so slightly.I do have bad flares now and then, but I mostly got it under control.

I agree with you. Going barefoot is a killer. I don't even get out of bed without slipping on a pair of arch support sandals or clogs. Mine are by Finn Comfort. They are expensive and not custom made, but they saved my feet.

 

[aimhi]

Yes! My doc told me to put my foot on the opposite knee and strech my heel while massaging the tendon. He also suggested rolling a tennis ball under my arch while I am sitting at the computer. I am trying that now, but I think it may drive the dog insane!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Very true that you have to live in stabilizer shoes with forms. While healing, I was told to only take off my shoes for showering and sleeping. And I was like that for months.
The podiatrist gave me a choice of three local shoe stores to buy from. Luckily one is nearby, and is a running store who had a therapist on hand.
She said crocs are okay (for a normal person). Just not meant to be worn outside of the house, and for long periods of time.

 

[TillyMarigold]

What worked for me was doing my exercises religiously at Disney--the wall one and the stair one each 3 reps of 10 seconds, 3 sets per leg, 3 times a day; and the towel one first thing in the morning and right before bed, 10 reps of 10 seconds each, 3 sets per leg. My physical therapist told me to do this because the PF was interfering with the thing I was actually getting PT for (hamstring injury). Oh, and make sure you never hyperextend your knees when doing your PF exercises. Time-consuming, but better than not being able to walk.
http://www.footminders.com/plantar-fasciitis-exercises.html

Also I carry a spare pair of shoes and alternate throughout the day--usually a pair of sneakers or Keens (with insoles) and a pair of wedge sandals. And don't ever, ever, ever sit with your feet dangling, like on a wall or whatever. When you ride Soarin', take off your shoes (less weight) and hold your feet flexed, not pointed. Trust me on that one.

 

[pattyw]

This thread is very helpful. DH has this- I'm passing these ideas along to him. Thanks!! Keep your remedies coming.