Plantars Fascitis - Need Advice

[Mickey'sApprentice]

(This is kind of long.)

I need information about Plantars Fascitis - please let me know if I need to repost in Theme Parks and Attractions. I know this is more of an annoying problem than most other medical Disney needs and questions.

I need to know if I need to do something differently.

Background - DH and I have been to WDW several times and my feet ALWAYS hurt. Its always bad. Sometimes the pain becomes bad before lunch the 1st day, and sometimes it holds off for a couple of days. My feet will burn and turn red and purple. By the time we get to the room at night...my husband has to do everything. I barely make it to the bathroom and back with my feet.

I grew up with some problem that made me very pigeon toed, with a tendency to walk on the top parts of shoes. I've learned that is called over-pronating. I'm really overweight too.

I recently started having heel pain when I get out of bed in the morning. My family doctor said that I have plantars fascitis. He gave me some suggestions of what to try before actually seeing a podiatrist. I went out and bought more comfortable athletic shoes, and Dr. Scholl's inserts. I try to wear them all the time in the house. I've exercised my feet, and have used tennis balls and frozen water bottles to make them feel better.

Our next trip is in September so DH and I are trying to get out and walk so that I will have the best experience possible on our trip.

So....this is what is going on...When I go walking...my left (pf) foot hurts when I start walking...but within a couple of hundred feet, it quits hurting, and then I can walk further than I could before I bought new shoes and inserts. I can walk 2 miles!! (Woohoo! That's a big deal for me!) Then its me more than my feet giving out. BUT, oh my! Later that night...and the next day...the heel and foot pain was horrible!! I was limping around in a lot of pain.

What's going on? Is the new shoes helping or hurting? I have 2 theories:

1) The plantars fascitis had already shown up before I bought the shoes and the walking is just keeping it from healing. After the tendon completely heals, I will be in good shape.

2) The new shoes, no matter how comfortable is making the problem worse, and I should toss the comfy shoes for something a podiatrist suggests.

I have heard that Skechers Shape Ups sometimes aggrevates the problem. These shoes are Skechers Premium Kudos.

Will I be able to make it through Disney? Help!!

 

[rileyreese]

My hubby has this too and he and I both had horrible foot pain our first trip and before our next trip we went to a store that only sold running shoes and bought insoles there, about $25 and neither of us had problems the next trip! He said those help his feet more than his custom insoles. The name of the store we went to is Fleet Feet if they have one near you, they WILL try to sell you expensive shoes, let them fit you and see!

 

[DVC96]

I, too, suffered from PF for a couple of years. I did go to a podiatrist and eventually did cortisone shots (twice - both times about 10 days before a trip to WDW). The shots provide great temporary relief - at least for me. A lot of people think that the shots are painful, but I didn't think they were bad at all. What really cured me was physical therapy. I did it faithfully, and was also good about doing the exercises at home. The ones that helped me the most (other than stretching before my feet hit the floor in the a.m.) were the exercises to strenghten my toe muscles. The PT would have me throw a small towel on the floor and scrunch it with my toes. They would also have me pick up marbles with my toes - both exercises done two or three times each. I still do these on the rare occasion it begins to bother me again. I also wear atheletic inserts (I used to be a runner, but have now become more of a walker as I get older) and really love the New Balance 1123 shoe. It has a wide toe box and easily accomodates orthotics (custom or otherwise). Oh - the podiatrist had me get custom orthotics but I could not get used to them. I know a lot of folks with PF swear by them, but they didn't work for me. Good luck - keep stretching! The ice is great for post stretching relief, too!

 

[powellrj]

I have had this over the years and I never really healed until I used anti-inflammatories. I would ask my doctor about them. I used custom made orthotics, really good shoes and anti-inflammatories and steroid shots and it still took a couple of months to really heal them.

 

[Order66]

I recently developed an issue with this earlier this year. I have a job where I have to stand/walk for 8 hours a day. My right foot would hurt so bad when I got out of bed each morning....would loosen up a little bit in the a.m. and by sometime after lunch it would hurt so bad I'd often have to shift all of my weight to the left side. On my day off, lots of resting and I'd be OK the next day. But back to work....back to pain.

I was determined I would clear this up before our trip to WDW in May. Inserts did not help. In fact, I'm weird about the feeling of them and they drove me nuts. Good shoes helped. Stretching it helped a little, but some of them made it hurt more. I found some relief with advil, icing and rolling it on a golf ball each evening. But what helped me the most was taping it. Like an athlete. You can find tutorials/videos online. Most recommend to tape daily and untape at night. Didn't work for me. I left it taped all the time. Only changing it every couple of days.....even showering with it taped up. Doing this for 5 straight weeks and the pain went away. Even though I then tended to forget to ice and roll the ball some days because it no longer hurt. I walked WDW for 11 days with NO PAIN!

Now I wear shoes at all times. Even in the house I wear my Teva Mush. I only take shoes off to shower. I still have some occasional heel pain after a long day at work, but resting for a couple hours in the evening and an advil and I'm OK. I haven't had to tape it up in several months.

Good luck finding what helps. I know how painful and annoying it can be.

regards

 

[M5ward]

I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis years ago. I tried inserts and exercise and icing and rest. I finally went to a podiatrist (something I should have done from the start. ) My podiatrist prescribed custom orthotics, and I have been pain-free since I started wearing them.
Go see a podiatrist..he is trained to help you.

 

[pampam]

I was diagnosed with plantar fasciatis and referred to a chiropodist.
While waiting for the appointment, I hurt my back and went to a chiropractor. While treating my back, he also did therapy on my feet, and gave me exercises to do. I followed his instructions faithfully, and by the time I got in to see the chiropodist, my feet were 85% better. She gave me further exercises to do and now my feet are fine. She never was able to sell me orthotics. The exercise she gave me which helped the most, was to stand on a step, with my heels hanging over the lip of the step, and let the weight of my body and gravity pull my heels lower than the step, stretching the arch part. I did this on the lowest step in case I lost my balance, and hung onto the handrails.

 

[Sandy321]

I have felt your pain!

I found that the running store (not a regular sporting goods store, but true running store) will fit your stride (I over pronate too!) and the inserts they have are awesome!

I also had to go to a chiropractor for a hip problem - and he also treated my PF - he used this ... "stone" to rub the bottom of my foot - it felt - actually sounded (hard to describe) like glass breaking inside my foot!! That with the exercises and taping (I use KT Tape, they have a specific taping for PF
http://www.kttape.com/instructions/plantar-fasciitis-ii/ )

and of course taking anti inflamatory, using the ice, and doing exercises on your feet/ankles BEFORE you get out of bed -

its a lot of work, but well worth it!!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks everybody!

Any thoughts on whether my new shoes are helping or hurting?

They feel good on my feet, and I can walk longer...but the pf hurts worse the next day after a good walk.

 

[Lynn57]

I have PF now thanks to being a teacher who stands on concrete all day. I used to wear shoes with no support and really did a number on my feet (not good since I'm only 28!).

Crocs have saved my feet. Sneakers were hurting and at times making the next day even worse. I can stand all day and not have pain the next morning thanks to crocs. I also got these really ugly things to wear on my feet at night to help keep my feet in a certain position.

New shoes shouldn't be causing you more pain, IMO. I would try some other shoe options now and see what feels best before you go on vacation. Also, look into getting splints to wear at night. They made a big difference for me!

Good luck! I know how painful this can be!

 

[DisSarahK]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I have this condition too, but mine finally is under control. I wear shoes or (expensive) supportive slippers 99% of the time and even bring my slippers when I travel.

I do not think Dr. Scholls inserts are helping you. Dr. Scholls inserts are pretty generic and not necessarily the best. You don't necessarily *need* inserts (unless, of course, your doctor informed you that you do). I am diagnosed (officially) as over-pronating. What you are describing doesn't sound like over-pronating unless I'm misunderstanding you. Over-pronating is more like you are using the inside edge of your foot too much...sort of. I'm probably not explaining it very well.

Anyhow, running stores sell good quality inserts even if you aren't a runner and they can help you figure out if you over-pronate or whatever. Don't be embarrassed about going in there--they see all sorts of people. And by a running store I really do mean a store that caters to runners, not a sporting goods store.

Put those inserts into good quality sneakers and hopefully that will help.

Make sure that in the house you are wearing good quality footwear too. I wear slippers made by Orthaheel and they are designed specifically for people with plantar fasciitis. They are amazing. They actually were a bit uncomfortable (not painful, just uncomfortable) the first few times I wore them because they were *so* supportive--but that is because they have terrific arch support and they are designed to prevent my over-pronation.

They were about $60 and worth every penny. I know that is a lot of money for slippers, but I have worn them SO much! As I said earlier, I even bring them on vacation. My feet get exhausted and hurt when I don't wear these slippers (our hardwood floors *kill* my feet) but they instantly feel better when I put these on. They are amazing!

I hope you are able to feel better soon!

 

[pampam]

I forgot to add that the chiropractor taught me how to tape my feet as well. I teach dance and use my feet a lot. Since I healed, I no longer need to use tape. Also, when I went to the chiropodist, I had to bring the shoes I used. She liked the croc beaches I was using because they provide so much cushioning.

 

[bidnow5]

I have PF and for some reason crocs help for me I know a lot of others that they don't help but for me they were perfect. I had to stop wearing my crocs for a couple of weeks and right now my feet are hurting for the first time in 2 years. I can't wait to be able to wear my crocs again

 

[saysay]

Go see a podiatrist now.

I tape my feet when we go to Disney, wear only my super supportive running shoes, have Superfeet orthotics and try to do my stretching.

I had PF last year in right foot, this year in left. I have a night splint I wear when it flares up and it helps. I also have a bunch of stretching exercises - from both my Podiatrist and Physical Therapist.

The tendon in the foot is connected to your calf muscle so those shoes could be doing more harm than good as they might be working your calf too much which can cause the inflamation in the foot. I wear Aisics GT series and they are great for me, but what works for one might not be good for others. I also wear crocs around the house or birkenstok sandals...basically that is all I can tolerate. I am going to look into getting either some orthoheel, aetrex or superfeet sandals as well.

Good luck, this is a painful condition that can take a while to recover from.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've made an appointment with a podiatrist...but its 2 days before we leave for our trip. (Arrggh!)

Hopefully, everything will clear up by then!!

 

[Eliza32]

Seriously, try the exercise pampam mentions standing on the bottom step of your stairs with your heels hanging over the edge. The let your heels 'drop' for about 10 seconds to stretch your muscles, then return to normal position. Do it for 12 reps, 3 times a day if you can.
My husband was diagnosed with PF a few years ago and after several trips to the GP, painkillers and shoe inserts, all to no avail, a friend who is a physiotherapist (physical therapist to you??) recommended this excercise - he was cured within 2 weeks. Now if he gets a hint of pain, he does the exercises for a few days and all is well again.

 

[staceyhzoo]

I just ordered some KT Tape. My PF has gotten better since I switch to Skele toes (similar to Vibrams-but only have 4 'toes). I went with Skele toes over the Vibrams since my friend has caughter her little toe about 4 times now-1 break and 1 dislocation. I'm hoping the tape can get me back in a spinning class! Now if I can just find some socks for my Skele toes!

I have felt your pain!

I found that the running store (not a regular sporting goods store, but true running store) will fit your stride (I over pronate too!) and the inserts they have are awesome!

I also had to go to a chiropractor for a hip problem - and he also treated my PF - he used this ... "stone" to rub the bottom of my foot - it felt - actually sounded (hard to describe) like glass breaking inside my foot!! That with the exercises and taping (I use KT Tape, they have a specific taping for PF
http://www.kttape.com/instructions/plantar-fasciitis-ii/ )

and of course taking anti inflamatory, using the ice, and doing exercises on your feet/ankles BEFORE you get out of bed -

its a lot of work, but well worth it!!

 

[rockydek]

Exercise and Advil...Best shoes for you...may not be the best for me....Keep walking ..No hills

 

[Leajess99]

Your best shoe option is actually New Balance.

You should also be using Motrin, Advil, or something within the Ibuprophin family which does include Aleve (I can't take this though). Make sure you do not take these on an empty stomach. I use advil liquigels as they do not upset my stomach.

Ice on the feet not exceeding 15 minutes a time.

WIll you be able to see a podiatrist prior to the trip??

You may want to consider renting an ECV to better enjoy your trip.

I have PF as well and have been given orthotic inserts, which actually stink in my case as they cause more issues than benefit, and have previously had cortosone injections which sometimes help. I am actually at the last resort of surgery but being a single parent does not make that option feasible.

Goo luck and I hope your feet feel better and you can enjoy your trip.

 

[TinkGirl28]

I too suffer from Plantar Fascitis so I feel your pain (pun intended )When I went to Disney last December, I was in horrific pain after the very first day. It caused me to limp around and scream out in pain. Unfortunatly for me, I have tried every exercise, medication, shot, and foot contraption out there. In my case, nothing has worked and I was just told nothing but surgery will help. I do not want surgery so I am concerned how my foot will feel when I go again this December. I would recommend that you just keep trying different shoes and inserts to see if something helps. I also agree with everyone else's suggestions, I just wish they had worked for me. Good luck with your shoes and your walking.