Shoes for plantar fasciitis?

[GSUJillybean]

I'm 98 days away from my trip, and after working out today I sat in the locker room and cried because my feet hurt so badly. I am wearing decent sneakers-- the Asics gel kayano, but I have been wearing flip flops and going barefoot aand now I can barely walk.

Has anyone done the parks with PF? How do you handle it?

 

[DisneyBelle27]

I'm 98 days away from my trip, and after working out today I sat in the locker room and cried because my feet hurt so badly. I am wearing decent sneakers-- the Asics gel kayano, but I have been wearing flip flops and going barefoot aand now I can barely walk.

Has anyone done the parks with PF? How do you handle it?

Orthaheel shoes. Google them. Expensive. But seriously, worth their weight in gold.

Massaging the foot with a frozen water bottle.

 

[minnie mum]

Have you already been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis? Have you seen a doctor/podiatrist about this? Bare feet and flip flops are probably THE worst thing you can do if you have this condition. You really should consider getting fitted for proper orthotics and also learn some of the exercises and other means of controlling this problem.

 

[angierae]

My Teva Hurricaines. HOwever, the BEST thing I ever did for my Plantar Fasciitis was getting a cortisone shot in the bottom of my foot. I've not had a big flare up since then, and it's been almost three years.

 

[GSUJillybean]

Have you already been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis? Have you seen a doctor/podiatrist about this? Bare feet and flip flops are probably THE worst thing you can do if you have this condition. You really should consider getting fitted for proper orthotics and also learn some of the exercises and other means of controlling this problem.

You sound like my husband.

I had it diasgnosed a few years ago, but it flared back up again during pregnancy. I need to find a new orthopedist.

 

[3boys4me]

Get the shot!!! I did Disney with PF and I was honestly miserable the whole time. Especially the end of the night. It was terrible. As unpleasant as the shot in the bottom of my foot was, I would do it again in a second.

 

[Silock]

I haven't found shoes that help much. I prefer to just tape my feet every day.

 

[Angel Ariel]

After I was fdiagnosed with PF, I went to a local running store where they could get me proper shoes for my feet/the way I walk (they used some technology as well as watching me walk to determine this). Then they suggested that I take the removable insoles out of the Saucony's I ended up getting and replacing them with Superfeet. The Superfeet insoles are awesome. I used them inside the Saucony shoes for Disney, and I had no problems during the day. My feet hurt a bit at night, and first thing in the morning, but I was OK during the day.

The superfeet have basically cured my right foot's PF...my left is still lingering, and I may have to see about the shot for that.

 

[sueliz]

Go to podiatrist or physical therapist who specializes in these types of issues. Podiatrist should analyze your feet and gait and determine if orthotics are needed. Stretch, stretch stretch, stretch stretch- ALL THE TIME. This is what got me through my latest flare-up. Wear night splints to keep feet in good position during night so it doesn't hurt so much in morning. Stretch as soon as you get out of bed. NEVER go barefoot. Stop wearing flip flops. There are no magical shoes to fix this problem- but flip flops can make it worse. Go to running store to person who is skilled in gait analysis so they can help you pick out a pair right for you. Stretch.

 

[Mrs D]

For immediate relief I recommend icing your foot, rolling your foot on a golf ball, a Straussberg sock. http://www.amazon.com/Strassburg-Sock-Regular-Size-Around/dp/B001AW3O00

I also highly recommend using Kinesiology tape to tape your foot. I prefer Rock Tape brand and buy it on Amazon. http://rocktape.com/videos/feet-hands/plantar-fasciitis/

Next, see a podiatrist and get fitted for custom orthotics.
The Asaic shoes should be good and I like Keens for casual shoes.

No more barefoot or flip flops. You can even put your orthotics in slippers for around the house.

Good luck.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Normally a discussion of the best shoes to wear at WDW would be on-topic in the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies forum. But in this instance, where plantar fasciitis is a factor, this thread would probably be a better fit for the disABILITIES! forum.

 

[minkydog]

Get the shot!!! I did Disney with PF and I was honestly miserable the whole time. Especially the end of the night. It was terrible. As unpleasant as the shot in the bottom of my foot was, I would do it again in a second.

Totally agree! Cortisone shots saved the day for me. Op, ditch the flip flops. Start stretching your calves, icing your heels and get some good New Balance shoes.

 

[rluey29]

I tried everything for my PF, bothered me for two years in both feet at the same time, I refused to have injections or surgery because a close friend had both with little relief. What finally helped me was I lost about 10 lbs and stopped going bare foot in the house. I wear some type of shoe anytime I stand up. As for my work (PE teacher) and Park the only shoes I wear now are the Asics Gel-Nimbus.

 

[pink5683]

I recently got a pair of Keen Harvest Mary Janes for a last minute trip to WDW. It was the first time I can remember where my feet didn't hurt at the end of the day, and I was able to keep up a pace of 10+ miles a day for 5 days with no pain. I only paid $40 for mine on sale and they were well worth it. They have a TON of arch support, and I wore them without really getting to break them in first and I had no blisters. They were amazing.

 

[BeerMe]

Lots of good advice here - custom orthotics, injections, wraps all worked for me, but to echo a lot of other posts, go see a podiatrist!

 

[penel3]

In 2010 I had SEVERE PF and we headed to Universal for 2 weeks, I was in so much pain I had to rent an ECV (no I did not use a GAC at all) just used it for all the walking time. I felt embarrassed actually but I HAD to do it because of the pain. So I obviously had put off going to my podiatrist.....big mistake! I finally went when we returned, got the cortisone injection and was fitted for orthotics. I would strongly recommend you go to your podiatrist sooner than later! The custom orthotics run about $300 and are usually NOT covered by insurance BUT the ECV rental was not cheap!!!!! As an adult, you will likely never need to replace your orthotics again, so it is a worthwhile investment! I had tried the over the counter (stand on the machine for "custom" fit) and that did not work at all.
While awaiting your podiatrist appointment, do calf stretches, ice your heels and NEVER go barefoot or wear anything without an arch support. I hope you get better soon, it is such a painful injury that few understand unless they have experienced it first hand. BTW you can now buy flip flops with arch supports....I have a brand called Montrail, but they do run about $100/pair. I bought them two years ago and they are still in great shape! Good luck!

too many WDW trips to mention, 2007 Wonder Concierge, January 2013 Wonder Concierge, WDW AKL Concierge Nov 2013, March 2014 Walter E. Disney Suite (finally!!!!)

 

[bidnow5]

It doesn't work for everyone but Crocs work for me I never walk barefoot I have quite a few pairs of Crocs not just the ugly ones. I tried good sneakers they didn't work till I put Crocs insoles

 

[Rose23]

I've suffered with PF for the last few years and but never wanted to go to foot doctor. I finally caved in last fall 30 days before our Disney World trip; I was limping everywhere including work and it was becoming a distraction. It was the best decision I've made in years.

The podiatrist gave me the shot which you need to brace yourself for (it is painful) but it was worth every bit. He also gave me an anti-inflammatory pill pack to bring down the swelling even more since I told him I was going to Disney World. You will be sore in the shot area for a few days. Consider taking someone with you so they can drive you home. Pamper yourself the rest of the day.

I'm a flip flop girl! But they are the worse you can wear even though they are probably the most comfortable shoes you're able to wear now. I bought a pair of good tennis shoes with a high arch and gel heel and started wearing them a couple of weeks before the Disney trip.

Also, even though there's not much of an arch, I purchased a pair of Crocs canvas loafers. They were a Godsend and I was able to walk 8-9 miles a day at the Disney parks. In the evenings I wear the boot my podiatrist provided to keep my foot in the flex position in the evening and I do all of the stretching exercises he prescribed.

You're probably as scared as I was about going to the doctor and getting the shot, but take the advice of everyone here and go. Having PF can ruin your vacation. You're suffering for no reason and you could be better in a matter of days.

Here's the link for the gel inserts that helped me the most and easily fit in my shoes for work, church, etc. I do not like the whole shoe gel inserts since they make your shoes feel too tight.

http://www.drscholls.com/Products/MassagingGelHeelCushions

Best wishes for a wonderful Disney trip!

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I was told it would be 3 months to see a podiatrist, so I purchased high end running shoes (Saucony) and used shoe inserts with ALL of my shoes-dress, casual, running. No more barefeet, sandles, or flip flops. Period. My problems with my feet went away after a few weeks. Podiatry is being flagged as the next best career to have-due to flip flop over wearing, an entire generation of people will develop serious foot problems in the near future!

 

[minkydog]

In 2010 I had SEVERE PF and we headed to Universal for 2 weeks, I was in so much pain I had to rent an ECV (no I did not use a GAC at all) just used it for all the walking time. I felt embarrassed actually but I HAD to do it because of the pain. So I obviously had put off going to my podiatrist.....big mistake! I finally went when we returned, got the cortisone injection and was fitted for orthotics. I would strongly recommend you go to your podiatrist sooner than later! The custom orthotics run about $300 and are usually NOT covered by insurance BUT the ECV rental was not cheap!!!!! As an adult, you will likely never need to replace your orthotics again, so it is a worthwhile investment! I had tried the over the counter (stand on the machine for "custom" fit) and that did not work at all.

Not exactly true. I've been wearing orthotics for 15 years and I have to be refitted every 2-3yrs. My last ones only made it 18 months. I am hard on shoes and orthotics. Like you I tried those ones you stand on the machine--totally useless. My custom orthotics run about $300. I just got new ones and my insurance picked it up 100%. Woot! I wear them every day, otherwise I just about can't walk.