WDW with Plantar Fasciitis and Tarsal Tunnel-how?

[Sweetpeamd]

Wear your custom orthotics ALL of the time, as others have said. One poster suggested New Balance shoes. If you have a running store in your community (check, you may be surprised, even our small town has an excellent one), visit the store for a personalized running shoe fit. The running shoe specialist will watch you walk/run barefoot and suggest the right shoe for you. You then try on lots of shoes to find the one that suits you best. The right shoe coupled with your orthotics (take them with you to the store!) should really help you. Don't, don't, don't wear flip flops!!!! Good luck!

 

[jjjmranch]

Make sure you stretch your calf muscles! That helped my PF immensely. I have custom orthotics but seldom wear them anymore. The exercises really helped and I didn't need any cortisone shots. Good luck!

 

[Michele]

Thank you all so much for the advice and encouragement.

As far as shoes, I am wearing my custom orthotics(Foot Leveler) with Asics right now. Wear them everyday although I need to do better about putting them on 1st thing in the morning. We have one of those shoe stores where they custom fit shoes, went there last weekend, but they were busy and I didn't do the custom fit thing, just picked out shoes.....bad idea. I think the ones I got are good shoes, Brooks Ariels, but they aren't right for me evidently. Wore them for a few hours that day and my feet hurt as bad as ever later that night. Back in the Asics now. But I defintiely have to get some new shoes this week. Been wearing the Asics already for 5 months and have to get new ones worn in before the trip.

I am getting calf and foot massage therapy twice a week at the Chiropractor, plus had some electro therapy at the beginning and now ultrasound therapy with each visit. This has helped a lot. The pain is under control with normal daily activites but if I have a day where I'm on my feet more, like shopping at the mall or doing yard work....I'm in for pain that night and next day. These don't even compare to Disney days.

Thanks for beating into my head that I need to STRETCH.....I have been bad about doing this....I will work on doing them every day....many times a day.

Does anyone else feel better after wearing heels? I'm not talking stilettos, just a small, maybe 2" heel. It is so strange, if I have to wear nice shoes for something (like today for a funeral) my feet hurt while I am wearing them but after taking them off and even the next day, my feet feel great. Probably that streching that I get with them on. Don't think I'll try heels at Disney though.

Sweetpeamd: Agreed, no flip-flops. It kills me to even put them on and try walking around the house. I have a theory that shoes without backs caused this problem. That used to be all I wore, flip-flops, crocs sandals, ALL of my shoes were slip-ons. I literally mean that I have about no other shoes to wear but my Asics, because ALL of my previous shoes were slip-ons.

tiggerbell: What did you do to lose the weight? I have been riding my bike now that the weather is nice. Dr. said to make sure I did something no impact. What helped you?

 

[MEM]

Bumping this for some more replies! I have been dealing with PF for the past 10 months - since my WDW trip in August 2009. I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon and we have tried 8 weeks of PT, ice and wearing night splints (have it in both feet). I have tried darned near every style of shoe that other PF sufferers have recommended as well as OTC orthotics. I am afraid of the cortisone shot and the doctor says surgery is a last resort. DH thinks we should plan on renting a wheelchair for me for our upcoming trip in August. At age 50, I feel like an old lady.

 

[flyingcat2003]

Bumping this for some more replies! I have been dealing with PF for the past 10 months - since my WDW trip in August 2009. I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon and we have tried 8 weeks of PT, ice and wearing night splints (have it in both feet). I have tried darned near every style of shoe that other PF sufferers have recommended as well as OTC orthotics. I am afraid of the cortisone shot and the doctor says surgery is a last resort. DH thinks we should plan on renting a wheelchair for me for our upcoming trip in August. At age 50, I feel like an old lady.

Don't be afraid of the cortisone shot. Don't get me wrong it hurts (real bad only for a second) but in about two to three days I felt good as new. Every once in a while it will still flare up on me but I make sure I wear my orthopedic approved tennis shoes and my night splint then the pain will go away in a couple of days.

 

[MEM]

Don't be afraid of the cortisone shot. Don't get me wrong it hurts (real bad only for a second) but in about two to three days I felt good as new. Every once in a while it will still flare up on me but I make sure I wear my orthopedic approved tennis shoes and my night splint then the pain will go away in a couple of days.

I'm not concerned about the momentary pain of the shot, but I was warned by several people that the shot can have a systemic effect in some people - rapid heart rate, flushing, rash, anxiety, all over ache.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'm not concerned about the momentary pain of the shot, but I was warned by several people that the shot can have a systemic effect in some people - rapid heart rate, flushing, rash, anxiety, all over ache.

I can't speak to the adverse reactions some people have had, but I had no problem at all with the cortisone shot.

The podiatrist can numb the injection site, but the injection still hurts somewhat. I don't care. I'm going back as soon as I can afford an appointment and getting another injection. This is my second bout with PF, and I will not put myself through 2 1/2 years of suffering again. I work on my feet for 10 hours a day, and the pain is excruciating. Custom orthotics aren't working at all this time, icing gives only momentary relief, and anti-inflammatories are completely ineffective. Ideally, I would lose weight...but my last weight loss completely screwed up my metabolism, and now I gain weight on 1200 calories a day. Ah, well. Destined to be fat, but I really hope I'm not destined to be in pain.

 

[flyingcat2003]

I'm not concerned about the momentary pain of the shot, but I was warned by several people that the shot can have a systemic effect in some people - rapid heart rate, flushing, rash, anxiety, all over ache.

I didn't think about that but I'm sure the risk of the effects is minimal. If you did have a reaction to the shot I'm sure the doctor could give you a shot of benadryl to control any reactions.

 

[HillPete]

OK, here's what I have done that has helped:
--Stretch by standing on the edge of a stair with heels hanging over the edge. Lower heels as far as you can and hold for a bit. Repeat every time you are near stairs!
--Get some orthotics of some sort. I have had good luck with the Dr. Scholl's massaging gel heel cups. They are about $6 at Target. I wear them in sneakers or Keens (the kind with the solid back - Newport 2?) and they are life-saving!
--Don't hate me for saying this, but FitFlops are nothing short of miraculous! I don't think they do a dang thing for my legs or butt, but my heels are super happy (yes, I know I just said 'butt but'! ). They are mega squishy and force you to roll your weight onto your toes, so there isn't as much impact/weight on your heels. I am thinking of getting some Reebok EasyTone or Sketchers ShapeUps for the fall/winter in case they have the same effect. Anyway, if you have a Nordstrom's Rack nearby, the FtiFlops are about 40% less there.

Good luck!
-Hillary

 

[elaine and the boys]

Does anyone else feel better after wearing heels? I'm not talking stilettos, just a small, maybe 2" heel. It is so strange, if I have to wear nice shoes for something (like today for a funeral) my feet hurt while I am wearing them but after taking them off and even the next day, my feet feel great. Probably that streching that I get with them on. Don't think I'll try heels at Disney though.


Yes! I got rid of all my flats a few years ago when I had been suffering with PF for a few months. Ariat brand shoes (find them online) are my favorite for work/dress. Ariat mules are my favorite style. Very comfortable and about
2 1/2 inches high. I also wear New Balance slides (open backed sneakers) as slippers around the house. I never go barefoot anymore, either. For me, becoming free of pain was all about better arch support all day long.

When in the parks, I bring a couple pairs of New Balance sneakers and rotate wearing them. If my heels act up a bit from walking all day in the parks, I might also take some ibuprofen before bed.

 

[pikaboo27]

My DH has suffered from PF for several years and the things that help best are support, stretching and HYDRATION. It sounds strange, I know, but DH does so much better with far less pain when he stays super hydrated. I would recommend drinking as often and as much as you can throughout the day. We've even done a camelbak to encourage drinking enough water. It sounds gross, but if your urine is clear, you are drinking enough. Oh, and the best stretch for DH (because his PF is caused by his calves tightening and pulling on that tendon) is to stand on the sidewalk curb on main street with his toes and drop his heels below his toes (it's best to hang on to a light pole for this)

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!