Plantar Fasciitis

[emilymad]

DH and I have been suffering with this the last 6 months. We have been to Disney several times. What has helped is to bring different “recovery” shoes for the hotel so we are never barefoot. We also use KT tape. It isn’t a miracle worker but it gives extra support to the foot. Lots of videos on YouTube on how best to apply the tape.

 

[katallo]

Definitely use a wheelchair or ECV. I know there are many supportive sneakers but if you need a sandal that helps (and doesn't cost 100.00) try Coface sandals (Amazon), Nice arch support.

 

[guy_incognito]

I used to have it so bad I needed flip flops to get out of bed to walk to the bathroom. I got one of those boots that stretches your PF and wore it on both feet, and I also upgraded the type of shoes I wear. Knock on wood, I haven't had a bout in almost 10 years.

When my shoes get worn, I replace them. I currently sport ON Cloudmonster shoes, and I highly recommend them. I can tell when I'm wearing "dress shoes" at trade shows, for example, that I would be in pain wearing them for long periods. So I find the most sneaker-y dress shoes possible, or just wear sneakers.

Good luck. But stretch them out no matter what, I promise it helps!

 

[MICKIMINI]

I would definitely try massage therapy first and then acupuncture if the massage therapy "wears off". I had massage therapy and it was incredible but wore off after a few treatments. DH had acupuncture in his back and it was miraculous. I would definitely get an ECV as well. You can both enjoy your vacation.

 

[iuki]

If you’re going to be driving, you could bring your own since the cost to rent one is quite high. Check out FB, Craig’s List, or local adds for a used one. You could use it on your trip or at home when she has a flare up. If you rent at the theme park, you won’t be able to leave the park with it. If you have your own, you get to use it for shopping or other places of interest while in Florida. Enjoy your trip.

 

[comicguy]

I have PF as well, most of the time it is inactive (but can flare up depending on what I am doing) but my feet are good at telling me when the cushion in my sneakers are bad, so I break out a new pair ( I swear by asics gel nimbus or gel cumulous). Also, when I feel that twinge in the arch start, I have a tenis ball handy (school, home, and travel bag) and rub my foot back and forth on it for about 10 minutes and I get hours of releif until I can do further stretches as needed! Good shoes are a must! I geerally change my sneakers about every 3 months (although I live in sneakers so your milage may vary) I also very rarely go barefoot, so I think that helps some as well (IMHO)

 

[cat4hurricane]

My dad has PF, and I most likely have it too, while we do the standard “walk a bit, find a place to sit down, chill out, walk again” back and forth, I’m planning on trying a rollator next trip just to give myself some place to sit in long lines where standing for a while could make my feet hurt. I find once it starts, walking only helps a little before I have to find a place to sit. While an WC or an ECV may work better for you, a rollator could be a little bit of a less bulky option. Even with my orthotics in my shoes, I’ve found I can only really hand an hour or two of pretty nonstop walking and standing before it just gets too painful to handle without sitting.

 

[Diamonddolljeanette]

I developed it from my old job and the best advice I'd say is shoes that support it or insoles for it.
Renting a ECV isn't a bad option but if you aren't used to it, they can be a nightmare.
I have ankle problems that flare up sometimes and I started with a ECV at first, it was a complete nightmare epecially at MK.
Impossible to manuaver epecially in tight queues, stores and in thick crowds aka fireworks crowds. Luckily my ankle strengthen with time at Disney and didn't need the ECV.
If your wife goes the ECV route, my best advice is practice at Walmart with one of theirs, they are just as bulky and clumsy as Disney's.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think the smaller Handball works better than the tennis ball .
The handballs come in a smaller tin can of 3 balls.
They last forever so I’m not sure what the current price is.

 

[Shellyred8]

Here are a couple of my go-to tips when I have bouts of PF. 1. Use a golf ball to roll-out the bottoms of my feet. I do this a couple of times a day. 2. If I happen to be fighting this when we go to WDW, I will tape my feet with Rock Tape (the type of tape you see professional athletes taped up with during competitions). It's a stretchy-fabric tape and it helps me a lot when we are at WDW. There are other brands out there, but I like the "extra sticky" version of the Rock Tape, as it holds up the best for me. 3. Soak my feet at the end of the day and/or ice them.

If I'm fighting with this during a WDW trip we will plan for it to not be as busy of a trip. We know we will be back, so we just find other things to do that don't require standing in lines so much.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Whack her foot with a rubber mallet!

Not like Cathy Bates in misery though....

I know it sounds horrible, but that, a tennis ball, and a thick metal rod work wonders on PF.

I used to constantly suffer from it but I went to fleet feet and got these inserts they recommended, they're $75-$100 a pair but all my shoes have them now.

On top of the inserts, anytime I feel a flare up, I gently smack the bottom of my foot with a rubber mallet (nightly) and I put as much pressure as I can on the tennis ball or metal rod and roll it back and forth and side to side under my foot.

 

[LMRSTAR13]

Steroid injections provided me with immediate relief. Highly recommend. Your local podiatrist can help you.

 

[Frank4202]

I used to have plantar fasciitis and was despite to try anything to get rid of it or at least ease the pain. I went to a chiropractor for 8 weeks and it helped but it didn't eliminate the pain. As a last resort, I went to amazon and searched for remedies. I ended up buying this roller, used it twice a day 10 minutes each and in a few days, the pain was gone. Been a couple years now and I'm still pain free. Id suggest giving it a try.

 

[ahhhshmatthew]

I just recovered from a 6-8 month bout with plantar fasciitis. Sorry to hear this is something she has to deal with! I think this totally depends on the severity of the situation and where she is in her recovery. For me - it took (at least) 5-6 weeks of 3-4X/week physical therapy, alongside having gotten custom inserts for my shoes, and completely re-developing my "normal" daily routine to include stretching, etc. before I could get back to a semblance of normality. If she isn't there yet, or doesn't have a timeline for recovery, then I think it would be difficult to do a long trip with parks each day.

If you both love WDW and really want to go, I would second the other advice above and look into renting an ECV. Unless the alternative is a vacation that involves little-to-no walking/exercise, she might have the same issues regardless, so might as well go to a place you both love and use the ECV On the car ride, I'd highly recommend multiple stops to ensure she can get out and stretch though! Good luck!

 

[disneyseniors]

Steroid injections provided me with immediate relief. Highly recommend. Your local podiatrist can help you.

Yes, they do help, but they hurt like Heck!!!! It was worth it though. I've had those shots 2 or 3 times.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

I'd like opinions on would it be worth it

Nope

You will hear a lot of suggestions about treating it, dealing with it, and what worked for them. None of it will matter if she gets there and is miserable. Then your only option to cope with it will be renting something to ride in (probably not how she envisioned doing WDW)

The only place I like to suffer at is HOME

 

[tguz]

Nope

You will hear a lot of suggestions about treating it, dealing with it, and what worked for them. None of it will matter if she gets there and is miserable. Then your only option to cope with it will be renting something to ride in (probably not how she envisioned doing WDW)

The only place I like to suffer at is HOME

Unfortunately, I think you are right. We are on the verge of cancelling the trip. Under no circumstances would she use an ECV. She just doesn't think it will be better by September. She is considering surgery but not certain yet.

 

[matt and beth]

Get Strassburg socks. Start wearing them every night. The relief will be almost instant. They really do work

 

[peachiepie]

I bought a foot massager https://www.amazon.co.uk/RENPHO-Mas...id=1720213132&sprefix=foot+mas,aps,109&sr=8-4
Following a bout of PF (funnily enough set off but excessive amounts of walking at WDW). One of the best things I've ever bought. I was in so much pain for months, but it really helped.

 

[ymcajeff]

My wife has had major ankle problems, with multiple surgeries, and we have gone to all of the parks multiple times when she is having problems. They make is really easy to rent a wheelchair for the day, and you can stay in the wheelchair through the line for pretty much every line. You can then get out of the chair to get on the ride, and they have the wheelchair waiting for you when you get off. Super easy and definitely worth it. Pushing can get a bit tiring, but it's not too bad. Would highly recommend this over walking... It's just too much walking and more hills and stairs than you realize.