Tips for dealing with plantar fasciitis at WDW?

[Elinor Dashwood]

We returned from a great trip. However, it turns out I have plantar fasciitis and it really proved to be a challenge with 8 days of walking. My feet swelled to twice their normal size and my ankles were so puffy. I kept switching shoes but didn't realize what I needed was good arch support. By the end of our trip, I was hobbling around and wearing flip flips I bought while there at the park because my feet were so swollen.

Next trip, I really don't want to go through that again. Any tips on making it eaiser? I'm still in pain but am icing and massaging it daily and wear shoes with arch support all the time. I don't go barefoot anymore, even though I used to love to. Thank you!!

 

[msd1776]

I have the same problem and had the same experiences. I do like Orthaheel shoes because they provide arch support. Problem is though they have a textured footbed. Not a problem for day to day wear but it can be noticeable during long days at the park. The other problem is then blisters, for me, when I wear flip flops.. Someone on the board suggested moleskin, that helped a lot. I also used something that I "painted"on my foot something like Nu Skin or no blisters. Not sure how much that helped. Next time I am trying body glide which I've heard you can get at sporting goods stores and perhaps Walmart.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

Thank you! Those orthaheel shoes look comfy. I made the mistake of wearing flat crocs that were worn out and then switching to sneakers but my swollen feet were too big lol. I then bought 2 different pairs of flip flops at Disney but didn't realize what I needed was a good heel cup and arch support. My poor feet! They were huge and sore. The swelling is gone but they still hurt.

 

[TavieP]

Ouch! Sorry you experienced the PF agony on your trip. I've had PF for almost 2 years and I was really nervous before my last WDW trip- what saved me were a really good supportive pair of sandals. They were actually wobbleboard-type construction "workout" sandals that a friend gave me (they have a "Curves" logo on them, ick, and I haven't been able to find a replacement pair since they're starting to wear out now.)

Other companies make similar wobbleboard sandals, notably FitFlop. I haven't been able to find a pit of FitFlops that work for me (the thong-between-the-toes gives me blisters!)

I think the important thing is just the arch support. That's why the Curves sandal worked so well for me. I just ordered a pair of Tevas with a good arch that I hope will do the trick on my upcoming trip to WDW in 2 weeks.

I recommend stretching your foot at night ( rolling it on a tennis ball or can is really good to stretch the tendon) and taking ibuprofen and icing it. Keep it stretched, that's the important thing. Good arch support and lots of stretching!

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

Thank you! I have been rolling a frozen water bottle with my feet since we returned from Disney. I can't believe how much we rely on our feet to get us around without thinking. At Disney, by the end of our trip, each step was agony but I didn't want to ruin the fun for my family so I hobbled lol.

So it's normal then for the feet to swell that much? Mine were twice their normal size, it was so puffy and ugly! How long does it take for the pain to go away? I've read conflicting things online....anywhere from a couple of weeks to over 6 months!

 

[scdak]

Thank you! I have been rolling a frozen water bottle with my feet since we returned from Disney. I can't believe how much we rely on our feet to get us around without thinking. At Disney, by the end of our trip, each step was agony but I didn't want to ruin the fun for my family so I hobbled lol.

So it's normal then for the feet to swell that much? Mine were twice their normal size, it was so puffy and ugly! How long does it take for the pain to go away? I've read conflicting things online....anywhere from a couple of weeks to over 6 months!

You may not want to really know the answer to how long the pain may last but it sounds like you are doing the right things. I know what you mean about not walking barefoot, during my worst flareup I started sleeping with tennis shoes on so that if I got up during the night I could walk to the bathroom with crying!

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

You may not want to really know the answer to how long the pain may last but it sounds like you are doing the right things. I know what you mean about not walking barefoot, during my worst flareup I started sleeping with tennis shoes on so that if I got up during the night I could walk to the bathroom with crying!

I keep my crocs by my bed now lol. The first few steps in the morning feels like tiny knives in my arches, ouch!

So then it can take along time to heal? That's what I thought. No more barefoot for me.

 

[msd1776]

Sadly mine has never healed..I just have times where it doesn't bother me as much as others but that is me...hopefully yours will heal right up but I would tell you that it could take months. You might want to buy some night splints from Foot Smart. I use one of those when mine acts up and I have found it really helps.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

Sadly mine has never healed..I just have times where it doesn't bother me as much as others but that is me...hopefully yours will heal right up but I would tell you that it could take months. You might want to buy some night splints from Foot Smart. I use one of those when mine acts up and I have found it really helps.

Oh, I hope that's not the case for me. Everyday it feels a little bit better and rolling the frozen water bottle feels awesome!

Foot splints? How can you sleep in them?

 

[msd1776]

It can be hard to sleep in night splints but it really helps, as does the bottle of ice. I hope you take better care of yourself than I have and have a full speedy recovery.

 

[Elinor Dashwood]

It can be hard to sleep in night splints but it really helps, as does the bottle of ice. I hope you take better care of yourself than I have and have a full speedy recovery.

Thanks, I'm trying!

Also, has anyone heard of these socks with arch support? I saw them at a dance shop and wondered if they actually work.

 

[Singinglizzie]

I feel your pain! I did a search on plantar fasciatis, and that is how I came across this thread. I got mine last year (yes its been a year now) from walking around 10 miles a day with my kid college college touring. All he wanted to do was walk, and even though I kept changing shoes, it got to the point where I couldn't walk. I have found that shoe inserts have been a godsend and use them in my easy spirit mules (ugly but comfy). The first pair of insets I bought at Costco in a package set for $30 that did the trick. Unfortunately I have worn them out and cant find. The latest insert I bought was from Nordstrom called super feet for approx. $20. Still I am nervous about my upcong Disney trip and am hoping to find a recommendation for a good orthopedic tennis shoe. If anyone knows of one, please share. BTW the pain in my foot has diminished quite a bit and I can now get up in the middle of the night and walk on the floor barefoot, but I still need the orthotic inserts to make it through the day. Thank you.

 

[Itinkso]

I found that wearing Keens sandals, that have great arch support, were better for my PF pain than using custom orthotics in my athletic shoes. I also wore the night splits when I first started treatment and that also helped especially with decreasing the pain with the first few steps in the morning.

Stretching my calf muscles and Achilles' tendon before and after exercising and walking helped the most. I hadn't realized how tight my muscles and tendons were which affected my feet. I am now pain free but I do continue wearing my Keens rather than flip flops. And, I always wear Keens when at WDW.

 

[Shaden]

I developed the same issue just a few weeks before leaving for Disney.

I am an avid runner, and my treadmill broke down about 2 months before disney, no biggie, I switched to outdoor running. Big Mistake. My stride/body were too used to the shock absorption of the Treadmill deck, ended up with FP in my left foot only.

This made Disney world much more difficult then it should have been. Even with really good arch support shoes, was still in pain many days. About the only thing I could do was grab a beer here and there and try to stop thinking about it.

I hope we both heal up fully !!!

 

[danetter]

Try duct taping your arches.
www.voices.yahoo.com/duct-taped-cured-plantar-fasciitis-130955.hotmail.

 

[TavieP]

I've tried the taping-the-arches thing- cloth medical tape works fine and it really seemed to help!

My PF comes and goes now depending on whether I'm wearing supportive shoes or not (I've basically gotten rid of most of my shoes at this point and will ONLY wear really supportive ones)

 

[taylor3297]

I feel your pain! I did a search on plantar fasciatis, and that is how I came across this thread. I got mine last year (yes its been a year now) from walking around 10 miles a day with my kid college college touring. All he wanted to do was walk, and even though I kept changing shoes, it got to the point where I couldn't walk. I have found that shoe inserts have been a godsend and use them in my easy spirit mules (ugly but comfy). The first pair of insets I bought at Costco in a package set for $30 that did the trick. Unfortunately I have worn them out and cant find. The latest insert I bought was from Nordstrom called super feet for approx. $20. Still I am nervous about my upcong Disney trip and am hoping to find a recommendation for a good orthopedic tennis shoe. If anyone knows of one, please share. BTW the pain in my foot has diminished quite a bit and I can now get up in the middle of the night and walk on the floor barefoot, but I still need the orthotic inserts to make it through the day. Thank you.

Get a pair of New Balance with the roll bar. These shoes, depending on the style, can cost from $120-$160 but worth every penny. My mother has plantars in both of her feet and these shoes have been a saving grace for her. With these shoes, she never has to wear her orthotics anymore.

Also, like some one else posted, stretch before getting out of bed each morning. I have achilles tendonitis and keep a towel next to my bed to use for stretching. This will also help planters.

 

[gcoolie]

I haven't found the perfect park shoes yet. I wore a nice squishy pair of Volatile flip flops this time and they worked well. My real relief comes from these:

http://m.zappos.com/orthaheel-relax-slipper-fuchsia-grey

I have them on anytime I am in the house or get back to the hotel room. They feel sooo good!

I have Abeo inserts that have metatarsal support that are helpful in tennis shoes.

You are right.... no more going barefoot

 

[GoofyCampers09]

I've tried everything, the only thing that relieves the pain for a short period is stretching and ice and I stretch every second I get. I've had it for 10yrs now tried every shoe,tons of inserts, therapy etc now after being really aggressive with my podiatrist for a yr now I'm headed to surgery on both my feet next month after our trip to Disney, so hoping this is my last time there in so much pain;0) If you start stretching, icing and get good shoes early on it can be cured, good luck!

 

[joybeth]

I've had pf (and, as a result, heel spurs) for longer than I can remember. It is manageable for me now because I ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear good shoes. Ditch the flip flops, or you will never get over the pain. I agree with icing, and stretching. I flex my toes up and hold repeatedly to stretch before I get out of bed. Shoes I like include, Keen, Alegria, Teva and Dansko for dress shoes. I tried orthaheel, but the roll your foot outward ( to correct the position), and it really makes my ankles hurt after a short while. I can do a whole day at the parks with absolutely if I am in my tevas or keens. I do occasionally get blister when park touring, and cover with mole skin or large water proof bandaids when I get a "hotspot." I have tried the body glide, but it is slippery and so it really doesn't work for the bottom of the foot area. It is possible to to tour pain-free with pf! You just have to be diligent in taking care of your feet!

jb