WDW with Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel-how?

[Michele]

Help, I'm looking for advice from anyone who has suffered from these foot ailments and how you got around the World with as little pain as possible.

I'm pretty miserable right now. Plantar Fasciitis pain started last Sept, diagnosed by a podiatrist in November. He gave me orthotics (not-custom) to wear , a few stretches and recommended a night splint. By Jan. with all of these things I only felt about maybe 30% improvement.

I started doing some research on my own online and saw a few other things recommended that my Dr. wasn't talking about. His next step was going to be cortisone and I felt that would just mask the pain.

Anyway, online I saw talk of getting help from a chiropractor and our family has a good one who helps with DH and DS's back problems. So I asked her and she has been treating me for about a month. Recommended taping my feet and found that a lot of my pain is radiating from my calf (posterior tibialis) muscle and Tarsal Tunnel pain in addition to the plantar fasciitis.

I get an all-encompassing pain around the outside of my heel after extended periods on my feet. The taping helps quite a bit and she also did a scan of my foot and ordered me custom orthotics. I just got them last week and they are feeling better. She also gave me alot more exercises for foot and calf/shin pain.

Since starting with the chiropractor I feel about 60% improved.

But my main concern is getting around WDW. I really don't want to have to use an ECV. I am really going to miss wearing my Tevas and Crocs around the world, but I know I will have to wear my orthotics and good supportive tennies shoes.

Just wondering if anyone has traveled with foot pain and if you have any recommendations.

TIA!!! It would also be great to hear if anyone has experienced this pain and eventually improved......it's been months and I'm starting to get very discouraged.

 

[mrzrich]

PM Lovetoscrap. She's a moderator here on the Disboards. She's dealt with these issues and tackled WDW.

I also highly recommend the DISabilities boards for more advice.

You may have to reconsider the ECV, but you could discuss your concerns about using one over on the DISabilties boards and they may be able to alleviate some of them.

 

[Michele]

PM Lovetoscrap. She's a moderator here on the Disboards. She's dealt with these issues and tackled WDW.

I also highly recommend the DISabilities boards for more advice.

You may have to reconsider the ECV, but you could discuss your concerns about using one over on the DISabilties boards and they may be able to alleviate some of them.

Thanks!!

 

[mom2knk]

I won't begin to give you advice about tackling the World, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not destined to be miserable for the rest of your life!

Several years ago, I suffered plantar fasciitis in both feet. I was miserable for a year before I finally went to a podiatrist for treatment. I did receive injections in both feet and remember walking out to my car pain free for the first time in months! I received custom orthotics and a bunch of exercises.

After many months of wearing my "supportive" shoes (rather than the cute ones!) and doing my stretches and exercises regularly, I finally had relief! Now, a few years later, I am mostly pain-free! The only time I have trouble is when I abuse my feet...too many consecutive days in flip flops, sandals, or bare feet. Even then, when I feel the symptoms begin I immediately put my tennis shoes back on and I'm good as new within a day or so!

So don't be too bummed out...there are much better days ahead!

 

[moepanz]

I went through the same thing. I was heading for surgery. I was going for Physical Therapy 2 times a week. I have custom orthos. I had 2 previous cortisone shots which relived the pain for a while. I had a flair up a few weeks before I was due to leave for WDW the foot DR. told me to come back and see her for a shot before I left and she gave me a script for Cam Boot. Long story short that 3rd shot along with the night splint and PT did the trick got around the world just fine (aside from the 3 toes I broke while there ) but I survived. No boot or ECV. That was back in Sept and I am still fine. Good Luck I know how painful it is, people have no idea.

 

[Michele]

I won't begin to give you advice about tackling the World, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not destined to be miserable for the rest of your life!

That is good to hear, because I was beginning to feel it will be forever.

 

[Michele]

I went through the same thing. I was heading for surgery. I was going for Physical Therapy 2 times a week. I have custom orthos. I had 2 previous cortisone shots which relived the pain for a while. I had a flair up a few weeks before I was due to leave for WDW the foot DR. told me to come back and see her for a shot before I left and she gave me a script for Cam Boot. Long story short that 3rd shot along with the night splint and PT did the trick got around the world just fine (aside from the 3 toes I broke while there ) but I survived. No boot or ECV. That was back in Sept and I am still fine. Good Luck I know how painful it is, people have no idea.

Also good to hear that someone got better. Thanks!

 

[JuliePoppins]

I am just coming into my 2nd week after surgery on both of my feet for plantar fasciitis. So far, so good. I've been suffering with it since 2004, and I have made many trips to Disney while in pain.

I have at least 5 pair of orthotics, some custom, some not. The best are the last pair my doctor ordered for me. I have night "splint" boots to wear in bed. I just about wore those out. But, they do help some. When your doctor says to stretch, he means hundreds of times a day. I've been through physical therapy as well. Felt good at the time, but didn't really help. I went through 2 sets of injections. Those did help a lot, but it didn't last - at least it didn't for me. The injections take out the inflammation. They are not as painful as everyone had told me, by the way. I would recommend trying them. And also, I went to my chiropractor. That has done nothing at all for my feet. (My chiropractor was against the injections and the surgery.)


While at Disney, I've worn my Birkies, taken my night-time splints, iced my feet when I returned to my room, took my anti-inflammatory, and twice I had cortisone injections before leaving, and stretched my feet as often as I could.

Do yourself a favor, and get a wheelchair. I wish now that I had done that, instead of suffering though it all and paying for it later.

We are going to Disney right at my 6 week point after surgery, and I will be using a wheelchair for part of the time. If you overdo it, you can cause the scar tissue to form and bring back the plantar fasciitis.
So this trip, I'll be taking it easy.

 

[JuliePoppins]

I won't begin to give you advice about tackling the World, but I just wanted to let you know that you're not destined to be miserable for the rest of your life!......................................

So don't be too bummed out...there are much better days ahead!

mom2knk,
Your words are encouraging! Thanks!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

I really feel for you! I was recently diagnosed with the Plantar Fasciitis condition too in my right foot and it can be so painful. DH and I were just discussing the other day that it's a good thing we aren't going to Disney for our May vacation. If I'm on my feet for several hours at a time I really pay for it - that night and the next day. I would suggest doing a park just every other day so you can rest your feet in between parks. Do some pool lounging days and go out for some nice dinners afterward. Take in some dinner shows or go see Yeehah Bob at Port Orleans Riverside... you can experience some Disney magic and spare your feet when you can. Use the trams to avoid the long walks from the parking lot. Take breaks. Maybe try changing out your shoes, midday to give your feet a break. Epcot will be the toughest park - there is so much walking. Depending on how you are feeling this might be the one park I'd break down and get an ECV for... Best of luck to you!

 

[sceavis]

May I ask you what type of shoes your wear?If you are not wearing New Balance do your self a favor and go out and get you a pair.Look for a walking or cross trainer maker sure you get a one's that has the roll bar technology.They come in narrow and widths get your self measured for the right size and width i am a 6e.I suffered with foot issues for a long time went to the doctors and all that stuff I broke down and got me a good pair of sneakers. They can run you around a hundred bucks but they are well worth it.I have been pain free for over a year now because of these sneakers.I have the new balance 811 .Hope this helps

 

[parrotheadlois]

I'd definitely get a cortisone shot just before your trip. like others say, New Balance shoes, birenstocks are great.

Last year I had a procedure

http://www.eswtusa.com/

It's a shock wave therapy. I was VERY sceptical, but I figured since my insurance was going to pay for it, what the heck. (my sister and I called it voo-doo medicine) - but (knock on wood), I'll be darned if it hasn't worked! I'm still careful with my shoes and I do have custom orthodics, but (except for a long long day at WDW), the pain is gone!

My sister had the traditional surgery and she's all better, she wears flat shoes and everything. I have wide feet and it's hard to find cute flat shoes anyway so I stick with Clarks and Berks.

But good luck - there are ways to feel better

(no experience with carpal tunnel - yet)

 

[rhyeck]

I've tried the shots and agree they DO help!! I got them under a fluoroscope (x-ray) and he able to hit the exact problem areas. Remember, you can only receive a few shots a year... so time them out a couple of weeks prior to going to Disney. I know shots can seem scary, but you will be surprised how well they do work!!

I would suggest getting good ortho shoes. I know they can look odd and bulky, but comfort and support first!! I wear ASICS tennis shoes and Alegria shoes (http://www.alegriashoes.com/) to the parks. The Alegria shoes have great support (you can even customize the footbed) and some have sheep's wool in them. The sheep's wool kept my feet cushioned on the top and prevented rubbing.

Also, I usually elevate my feet whenever I can (while eating, during shows, taking breaks, etc.). Be sure to ice your feet after spending a day @ the parks.

I hope this helps. Go, enjoy yourself and tell Mickey I say "HI"!!!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have also gone through this terrible thing! At one point, I feared that I would have to be wheelchair bound for life! It really does get better - but you have to work at it.

My WDW vacations are usually solo. I remember one day walking from the Boardwalk over to The Beach Club for breakfast, and crying the whole way.
Between terrible pain in both feet with hip joint bursitis - I was a mess.

But it did really get better.

As another poster said, when your doctor says "stretch" this really does mean hundreds of times per day ! You absolutely must take advantage of every possible opportunity to stretch your feet and calves many times per day. For me, my favorite orthodontic (sp) shoes are: Hushpuppies "Bounce"
"Upbeat". I can no longer find them where I live, so I order them on-line.
I get new ones about every 6 months. They have an inner sole that you can remove to put in your good orthontic arch supports. You must wear these at all times. I would rather wear good support sneakers ALL the time than risk that kind of pain again!!!

The cortisone shot to my foot lasted only a few days, while the cortisone shot to my hip joint lasted many months.

While the shot does hurt, it only hurts for a few minutes or so.

And cheer up - this really does get better.

 

[Nutty4Disney]

I went to WDW with PF last Oct. and was miserable (sorry). I even ended up with a wheelchair the last few days. But it has gotten better. In Feb. I wore shoes with supports and switched to Croc sandals in the evening. I made it through the whole week. I find that I have to wear shoes all the time. If I spend too much time in my slippers (weekends, etc.) I am miserable the next day. I did do the stretching, icing and tennis ball massage which helped too. I have never done the shots or custom orthodics. And I am so not a shoe person. If I could go barefoot at work I would, but not anymore. I am thinking about getting a pair of Birks before our trip in Oct. Good luck.

 

[tiggerbell]

I have no advice, but I've never found anyone else who had tarsal tunnel before!!! I have a nice 1.5 inch scar on the inside of my left foot from the surgery!

The best thing I've done for my pain is to lose weight - I've lost 25# and it's a huge help (have plantar fasciitis, too).

 

[SOnotLayuh]

I was diagnosed with PF at the age of 19... the early set on was thanks to years of dancing and wearing those awful unsupported slippers. Honestly, even with my custom slip ins, nothing works for me in the parks like tight socks and crocs.

 

[matu8063]

I too suffer from PF in my left foot. I am a teacher and on my feet all day. I have custom orthodics and wear sneakers almost every day. Nothing looks better with a nice skirt than sneakers and socks. I have tried other shoes but for me the sneakers work the best. I do wear a night splint. I will say that the more I wear my night splint the better it feels. I have a trick for night splint wearers. I hated how the velcro was tearing up my sheets and the splint kept getting caught in the sheets. My boyfriend bought me a satin pillowcase and I put my night splint on the the pillowcase over it. It slips and slides really well now. I have made multiple trips to the world and my best advice is to point and flex as many times possible.

I have surgery on the horizon. Multiple shots have done nothing. I have also been in a walking cast for about 15 weeks.

Good Luck Missy

 

[Sammybeau's Mom]

I have had PF for 1.5 years. I am a school teacher too, up on my feet all day and have worn New Balance Tennis shoes every day to school except 2 this entire school year. My feet hurt so much on those 2 days. Overall I think I am better but dare not wear my shoe/shoe inserts.

I buy my New Balance shoes at Joes New Balance Outlet (something like that)on the web. Can you tell I spend most my time on the Budget board? I also got my shoe inserts from Ideal Feet. Pricey but have helped me. We are going to Disney after school is out in a few weeks.

I think I will go stretch my feet! I hope your feet get better. : )

 

[ms*mountaineer]

I also have PF and I'm worried about our next trip to WDW. Thanks for all the encouragement everyone!