Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

[kycanonist]

Does anyone have plantar fasciitis while traveling to WDW? What shoes do you wear to make it easier on your feet?

 

[tennisnut]

Do you only think that Kentuckians get Plantar Faciitis?


I have had PF in both feet. I am just recovering from the second foot. It usually takes 9 months to a year for it to completely go away.

I have orthotics made especially for my feet. I have had soft orthotics and hard orthotics made.

I also suggest tennis shoes with a good arch support. I like New Balance and Asics.

I really think it's not the type of shoe but which shoe gives YOU the best support for YOU.

Susan

 

[Nadjalu]

Yes and I have found that a combintation of broke in running shoes and a pair of NEW Crocs are the way to go.

What I do is start out each morning in the running shoes. By late afternoon or evening we head back to the resort where I switch into the Crocs and finish the day.
On vacations where the hours are shorter I alternate the shoes every other day. Meaning I wear the running shoes day 1, the Crocs day 2...and so on.

Some helpful tips are:

The Crocs must be BRAND NEW. If they are not they won't offer the support and can be slippery if they get wet.

At night I always use ice for 5 mins on my feet and then lotion really well. It helps to keep the swelling down and the massage from using the lotion works wonders.

Another tip is start out using either tylenol or ibuprophen. Don't wait until your feet start hurting. Be proactive...your feet will hurt, so if you get a jump on the pain it is easier to manage through the day.

Good luck, I hope some of my tips help you enjoy your vacation!!

 

[carrieb]

I've had PF in both feet too and I'm not from Kentucky!!

I agree that you need to get a shoe with good arch support and orthotics - but you need to find a good podiatrist! I know that is easier said than done.

My last PF flare-up was about a month before a trip down to WDW - my podiatrist gave me cortisone injections to help heal the inflammation and she also made me a little makeshift orthotic that I could slip on and off so I could wear sandals, but I was in tennis shoes a lot that trip.
She also is a big proponent of stretches and icing - and that really really helps. Not that I enjoy sitting with a gallon ziploc filled with ice under each foot for 20 minutes - but I was able to get through the trip relatively pain free.

My podiatrist would also refer me to a local running store to have their staff help me find a pair of shoes - they know feet and were great! They made me get on the treadmill so they could see if I was under/over pronating and made their suggestions based on what my feet were doing - so maybe that's worth a try? (I also love New Balance - but got a pair of Brooks this last time)

Good Luck!

 

[kycanonist]

I've got Brooks and New Balance for running... but I was wondering about sandals... I'm thinking the CrocsRx and maybe a pair of Birkenstocks...

 

[Grammie3]

I found that Clarks sandals are the bomb at Disney! Those and my New Balance tennis shoes. Good support is the key! I also took ibuprofen every morning and again through out the day. Massage and foot stretches daily work great. I would use ice if needed but my trip in April the other things above worked.


Grammie3

 

[junebugs]

After I experienced the pain of PF, I switch to wearing Merrell Sandals and I have not had any pain since. I especially like the Merrell Pesaro - they offer great arch support, are comfortable and look nice too.

 

[kycanonist]

I have a pair of Merrell sandals, too... I'll bring those too. So, I'll bring Birkenstocks, new CrocsRx (a good find on eBay since I can't seem to find them anywhere except in black and navy in my size), and my Merrells....

Thanks!

 

[junebugs]

Hope you AND your feet have a great trip to WDW!

 

[Lori1960]

I would get custom masde orth and cortizone shout.At night soak your feet in epson salt and alos Johnson foot soap.Soak your feet one night in the epson sal and than the Johnson soap and also do some stretching

 

[rn4val]

I wore a Ecco sandels that worked well for me last time I was in WDW.

 

[mecllap]

Not a foot expert -- but it seems if you only have issues at WDW, it's not likely plantar fasciitis (?). Several years ago, when I was trying to cope with PF, the PA at my Dr.'s office said that some of the nursing staff had had good results/relief wearing Nike Shox. I was reluctant for cost and "political" reasons to buy any Nike shoes, but I was desperate and eventually bought a pair. They did not immediately feel comfortable, but after about 6 weeks (longer than you have before your trip), I felt so much better. I haven't worn any other shoes (except slippers, and a few times dressy flats) since -- my heels and back are wonderfully better. I certainly still get tired, achy feet and other body parts from a day at WDW, but not the outright pain of PF.

Different solutions work for different people, I'm sure, but Shox have worked for me for years (even slightly different models of Shox). You might want to use "bodyglide", moleskin, have blister bandages handy, foot soaking, do strecthing exercises, etc. (I used to use a rolled-up t-shirt to pull my foot back toward my shin to stretch the heel in the opposite direction it usually had to be in all day -- that helped some).

Of course, I guess I'm on my feet less now that I'm retired, which also helps (but when I am on my feet a lot, traveling, or doing volunteer work, I haven't had what is called plantar fasciitis since switching to the Shox -- just ordinary tired feet sometimes). Sorry for rambling -- good luck with finding a solution for your situation.

 

[CathieArms]

I'm a bit worried about this, too, as I've been having a flare-up of plantar fasciitis for the last several months, off and on. I've done extensive research for "the best shoes" for plantar fasciitis, and it seems like the experts agree that a good pair of New Balance - particularly those with the roll bar - seem to be the best. So, I broke down and shelled out the extra money in hopes that they are helpful. So far, the jury is out. They feel "better" but not without some pain.

I've also read up on the Dr. Scholl's heel inserts for plantar fasciitis. The reviews on them are really good, so I bought a set. I haven't tried them yet. I figured the newer they are, the better they'll work...so I'm saving them for WDW.

Like Nadju, I'm thinking Crocs. I've had the most relief from plantar fasciitis when I wear my Crocs. Mine aren't new, though, so I may have to give this some more thought. I have 2 pair that have been worn a lot in the last 6-9 months around the house (in place of house shoes) and they've been a godsend. I bought the Crocs that look like tennis shoes but I'm not liking them quite as much as the clog style.

Like other said, be proactive with Advil or Aleeve. Don't wait until it's painful. Start ahead of time. Lately I've had the best luck with Aleeve. You can take Aleeve with Tylenol, but *not* with Advil/Motrin.

Also try stretching your toes toward your body several times/day, especially before you get out of bed in the morning. And remember, NEVER go without shoes. You need shoes with a good arch support. Throw away the flip flops!

 

[Tink6666]

Another suggestion for "icing" is to put an orange in the freezer and take it out and roll your foot/arch on the frozen orange it works wonderfully and there is no ice bag to deal with (leaking water, etc.) and it stays colder longer. My Dr. suggested this and it has worked very good on all of my Disney trips to help with foot aching and PF flare ups. I have been dealing with PF for a while now and am worried about our June trip to Disney. I will be trying out your shoe suggestions!

Thanks!

 

[Grammie3]

Another tip for the icing of the bottom of feet, is freeze a bottle of water. Then you can roll it with your foot. That really feels good and works great.

I started flare ups of PF and it was evident during my fall trip to WDW last year after that it continued on for several weeks. It improved with wearing shoes all the time including at home. I threw out the Fit Flops they seemed to be making more problems. I invested in New Balance running shoes and a pair of New Balance walking tennis shoes. I too have added the Dr. Scholls heel inserts for PF and I love, love love them.

I have searched for flip flops that have more cushion and arches, do not use the thin flat kind ever. Also, do not wear flip flops for long constand walking like at Disney. I also have Merrells, but I really like the Clark sandal that is much more attractive. I am foot conscious about that. But, it really is not about fashion.

My feet did flare up only one time this last trip, and I was able to nip it with all the extra care.

Yes, PF can flare up on someone while at Disney, if they already have had problems with it. Mine stays in control at home now and I have not had any other pain and problems since I was able to to get it in control. But, I made the mistake of wearing my Reef flip flops for a much longer time and more walking than anticipated one day, I paid for that later in the day and that night. But, the next day after the treatments the night before, my Ibuprofen and wearing my NB walking running shoes with the heel insert I was fine. Yes, there is mild residual pain and to be honest that is almost always here. Somedays more than others. But, a definite flare up only a WDW is possible.

I am not a foot doctor, but I am an RN and I deal with diabetes patients that have foot problems daily.

Cindy

 

[edcrfv]

Frozen golf balls also work

 

[MKCP1984]

Stretching first thing in the morning helps, then wearing crocs around the house (NEVER barefoot.) Then, Merrells, New balance gymshoes with my orthotics, or sometimes Clarks, and Dansko shoes are the best for my feet. (I switch shoes alot, as you can see)
Also, if you dare, there are some new sandals by White mountain that have an arch and heel counter/cup shape that are very comfortable and even look cute. I found them at Macy's. Of course I wouldn't wear them all day, but for short periods they are comfy and they don't aggravate my PF.

 

[starwood]

Sketchers Shape-ups. I tried them because I was so frustrated because nothing helped. The second I put them on my heels stopped hurting. They are the only things I will wear now. I just bought a pair of the black Mary Janes.

 

[nkereina]

My dad has plantar fasciitis and after seeing his podiatrist, he can wear any shoes he wants! He gets regular cortisone shots which helps a little and he also had special inserts made which he switches between shoes. With the inserts, he can wear any shoes he wants. His insurance covered most of the cost for these inserts. If your podiatrist does not do this, they can probably recommend a good over the counter one. Or if you have The Good Feet store where you live, they specialize in this as well. Makes it so much easier for him when looking for shoes! Before his inserts, though, he found he can wear anything UGG brand and never had a problem.

 

[krystalleigh1]

Sketchers Shape-ups. I tried them because I was so frustrated because nothing helped. The second I put them on my heels stopped hurting. They are the only things I will wear now. I just bought a pair of the black Mary Janes.

100% agree!!! I love my Sketchers Shape Ups! K-Mart also sells a similar shoe that's much cheaper but, IMO, not as attractive.

My PF stopped hurting after wearing my Sketchers for about a week. It just gradually got better. But I do notice if I go a day or two without wearing them-my feet begin to ache (especially in the evening or early morning) and my lower back hurts more so than usual.