Plantar fascitis

[minkydog]

Go out and buy a pair of BIRKENSTOCK sandals. Wear them for a few months or longer if you wish. Then you can go back to your regular shoes and when the Plantar acts up wear the Birkenstocks again. Cured me 5 years now. Won't hurt to try them out.

A lot of people recommended Birks to me too. I tried them on and it felt like I was walking on those square ABC blocks. I was literally crying in the store, they hurt so bad. My sister was like She wears Birks every day. I actually did go on to wear some Birks later, after we got the pain controlled and the fascia stretched out some. But i can't wear them very long.

 

[erincon23]

I found that wearing Crocs around the house helped! Actually, I wore them everywhere for about three months - they were the only shoe I could wear when my heel was terrible.. Definitely stretch and flex before you get up. I do this stretch and it really helps -- with your hands on a countertop or against the wall, put your good foot forward with the knee bent and bad foot back, like you're doing a lunge. Lean forward far enough that your bad heel is off the ground. Press your bad heel down and count to 10, let up. Do 10 times. This really stretches the tendon.

My dad and aunt have used the boot mentioned earlier at night -- sounds like torture to me, but it helped them a lot.

Good luck! I hope it starts to feel better. It's a horrible problem!

 

[disneychic2]

I had it for 18 months and the only thing that helped was to buy orthotics and new NB shoes. These were not custom orthotics, but ones from the shoe store. That was the best $65 I spent. It still took time, but eventually it got better. The ice and stretching is a great idea as well. I have been free of pain for several months and still make sure to stretch every morning. I also am never without shoes. Try not to point your toes over much either. My dr. showed me how to do the taping and I was able to do it myself which also helped. Good luck OP!

 

[tink_lover]

I had PF for a long time also. Saw the doctors, did the custom inserts, stretches and exercises. What finally cleared it up was the ASICS stability tennis shoes and wearing the immobilizing boot (every night at bed). That boot was a pain to wear at night, but the difference in how my foot felt was amazing!

 

[canopynut66]

Anyone have it? Any relief? Nothing seems to be working for me and I can barely walk! Help!

My foot doctor put me in new balance tennies and said not to go barefoot to help this and it did. My boss laughed and said that is not going to help....(should not have) and he came down with it and his ortho put him in----new balance as well.

 

[minkydog]

My foot doctor put me in new balance tennies and said not to go barefoot to help this and it did. My boss laughed and said that is not going to help....(should not have) and he came down with it and his ortho put him in----new balance as well.

Gotta love karma

 

[Maryr1]

First-my deepest sympathies-it is a nasty condition!!! I had a ruptured hamstring in one leg and developed PF in my other foot while recovering. I was marathon training when this happened. It was A VERY LONG summer. I was already in physical therapy for the hamstring so they immediatly started ultrsound and whirlpool therapy to my other foot three times a week, I froze a water bottle and rolled my foot on it regularly through out the day, wore only a sneaker for weeks and after 4 weeks I was better. I am still pretty careful when I am training-I use the frozen water bottle after most runs and rest more often. Good luck!!!

 

[Swan4Me]

, but orthodics helped the most.

This was the best $500 DH ever spent
You need the professional inserts-it was like a miracle for DH-after "breaking them in"

 

[Angelhalo]

I have it in my right foot and so far nothing has made it go away. I have the ortho inserts, I have $150 sneakers, I roll my foot on a frozen water bottle, I've rolled it on a golf ball, I do the towel stretches, I do the stair stretches, I have a night brace to sleep in, I have prescription anti-inflamatories, I have a mini masseuse electronic pulse massager, and I never go barefoot. I've had it for a year now and absolutely nothing has helped. The only things I think I haven't tried are the cortisone shot (because I have heard so many nightmare stories) and/or surgery.

 

[sharonmickey]

I developed PF at Disney one year. It was miserable when I first got up in the morning but got somewhat better as the day went on. After a few months at home, it still had not gotten better. I went to podiatrist, he gave me a shot and plastic heel cups to wear with my shoes. After a couple weeks it was much better. I went back a year later for another shot. That was three years ago. I still stretch my feet often, especially in the mornings and when sitting. I also still wear the heel cups he gave me. OP - good luck, I hope your feet feel better soon.

 

[minkydog]

I have it in my right foot and so far nothing has made it go away. I have the ortho inserts, I have $150 sneakers, I roll my foot on a frozen water bottle, I've rolled it on a golf ball, I do the towel stretches, I do the stair stretches, I have a night brace to sleep in, I have prescription anti-inflamatories, I have a mini masseuse electronic pulse massager, and I never go barefoot. I've had it for a year now and absolutely nothing has helped. The only things I think I haven't tried are the cortisone shot (because I have heard so many nightmare stories) and/or surgery.

You have my sympathy. I went through the same thing and finally gave in to the cortisone shots. They hurt like the devil for a minute or two, but then...blessed relief. Ahhhhh... you still have to take it easy because the foot will still be inflamed. They put lidocaine/novacaine in the shot and it is almost immediately effective. The foot will be sore for another day where you get the shots, but after that it feels pretty good. My doctor told me I'd know when i needed a shot when I crawled into his office on my knees. i didn't get quite that bad, but very nearly. It took me well over a year to get a handle on the PF, but now I'm mostly pain free without medication. long as i wear my New Balance shoes...

 

[EdiePA]

I have it in my right foot and so far nothing has made it go away. I have the ortho inserts, I have $150 sneakers, I roll my foot on a frozen water bottle, I've rolled it on a golf ball, I do the towel stretches, I do the stair stretches, I have a night brace to sleep in, I have prescription anti-inflamatories, I have a mini masseuse electronic pulse massager, and I never go barefoot. I've had it for a year now and absolutely nothing has helped. The only things I think I haven't tried are the cortisone shot (because I have heard so many nightmare stories) and/or surgery.

Can I recommend a low tech solution?? I did everything you've done, plus two cortisone shots. A wonderful orthopedic surgeon recommend putting a cast on -- from my knee to my toes, with my foot in a toe-pointed position. I wore the cast for six weeks -- had to do a lot of stretching of my Achilles tendon when it was removed, but the PF pain was gone and in ten years has never returned.

Just a thought,
Edie

 

[minniecarousel]

I see a podiatrist when I have a flare-up. The things that have worked for me are a combination:
- a night splint, which pulls the toes back toward the shin
- rolling the sole (& arch) on a frozen water bottle
- custom inserts
- never go barefoot
- physical therapy, including cortisone patches (I've never had the shots)
- stretching the sole of the foot (instructed by the podiatrist)
- ibuprofen on a regular basis

When I have a flare-up, I do the above & see the pod if things don't improve. When I'm not have any trouble, for exercise - I walk on a track, always stretching the sole of my feet.

 

[emma'smom]

I had it and learned to always wear good shoes. However, I find that this includes: Merrels, Keens, and Fit Flops.....

Also, I went to PT and they did a sonar treatment which I was sure was a waste of $$ and it seemed to do nothing...but then about 2 weeks later, the pain was gone.

 

[jsmith]

when you figure it out let me know-ive been struggling for 3 years. See a podiatrist, wear new balance, spent 400 not covered by insurane for orthotics, stretch, ice, went to PT for a year-and my feet still hurt like a fiend ever single day. Ive come to the conclusion its just going to hurt at some level forever. Because of kidney risk i talk NSAIDs as infrequently as possible. Just go prepared to be in pain if i walk much and drive on cause nothing seems to make a difference.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Unfortunately I am the poster child for worst PF ever-- and in both feet. PF is the reason I an in a scooter in my sig photo and and still have to use it now. I have been dealing with it for about 10 years and am now permanently disabled.

I used to be a big proponent of the Cortisone shots but they are part of the reason for the permanent damage I have now. I would recommend one or two of them but not any more than that and NEVER EVER more than 3.

But also get to a PODIATRIST ASAP. I dinked around with my PCP for about 2 years and in that time it just got worse and worse so by the time I went to a podiatrist I was already in terrible shape.

All the advice here is exactly what you need to do. Stretch, stretch, stretch. Not just in the morning but multiple times a day every chance you get.

Wear good shoes ALL the time. I wear them in the shower. My feet never touch the floor barefoot. Unfortunately as you can read here, what shoes will work for you will differ from one person to the other. I don't even want to think about the amount of money I have spent on shoes and inserts that didn't work, or that only worked for a short time. Currently I absolutely love Fit Flops. However wearing an open toe shoe is not good for overall foot health and right now I have a possibly broken toe from running it into a couch. My podiatrist hates flip flops of any kind!

Shape Ups/ MBT's work for some people, New Balance are very good for PF, for some people Crocs help. I just went to a "Good Feet" http://www.goodfeet.com/ store and got a new pair of tennis shoes (can't remember what they are) .

Ice water bottles are great. Anti Inflammatories also can help a lot. And get the night splint. You may be able to get one at a local medical supply store, from a podiatrist, or from http://www.footsmart.com/ .

I wore a walking cast (Darth Vader boot!) for almost 2 years-- with an orthotic insert and heel cup in it. It did help quite a bit. My 2nd podiatrist had me in a soft cast and the walking boot for about 6 months of that.

Ultimately I had 3 surgeries. They helped but by the time we did them the permanent damage had been done.

Please get to a podiatrist. You need to get care from someone that knows what they are doing.

 

[LargoLori]

Birkenstock...they are the miracle shoe...

 

[fall08CP]

I'm going to contradict what most other here said. I tried it all and nothing worked. I remember waking up in the morning, trying to take one step and falling to my knees in pain. I'd limp to the bathroom and roll my arches on a can just to be able to stand up. It was HORRID- and I was only 20!

What finally stopped it in its tracks?

VIBRAM FIVE FINGERS! Yes, they look silly. But the technology WORKS. Rather than cushioning your feet, it forces the foot muscles to get stronger to resist strain. Seriously, they've been a miracle for me. I cannot recommend them highly enough. It's better to fix the problem than to mask it.

 

[Seahunt]

I found that wearing Crocs around the house helped! Actually, I wore them everywhere for about three months - they were the only shoe I could wear when my heel was terrible.. Definitely stretch and flex before you get up. I do this stretch and it really helps -- with your hands on a countertop or against the wall, put your good foot forward with the knee bent and bad foot back, like you're doing a lunge. Lean forward far enough that your bad heel is off the ground. Press your bad heel down and count to 10, let up. Do 10 times. This really stretches the tendon.

I agree with everything this poster says

When I experienced PF a couple years ago Crocs were the only thing I could stand to wear - and I still do the heel stretches using the nightstand beside the bed every single morning as soon as I get up. So far I haven't had a recurrence (knock on wood)

 

[Hillbeans]

Ironic that I came upon this thread while I have an ice cold soda can stuffed down my right arch trying to take away the pain and swelling.

My PF comes and goes - sometimes it's good for at least a year. I got a shot last fall, and that helped for a while. I started running on the treadmill a few weeks ago and the PF came back in full force. The first few steps in the morning are so painful it almost makes me cry.

I use a combination of Orthotics, the boot, ice, etc. I also try and never to go barefoot, and I have a pair of Teva mush sandals which actually aren't so bad.