Worried about getting around parks

[jonimce]

Yup, you can wear them with orthotics. The only reason I didn't like the socks is that I only needed it for my left foot and couldn't find another sock to match for right foot. They do work though. Good luck

Thanks so much. The thing that really gets me is I never wear shoes in the summer. Flip flpos, teva's or nothing.

 

[Kat in GA]

joinmce --

I have PF as well -- and am nervous about WDW, too! One of the things you mentioned is that you don't wear shoes -- esp in the summer except for flip flops and tevas. For me, one of the most helpful things to do is to wear shoes ALL the time! I wear Birkenstocks and Crocs all year. If I wake up in the night to go to the bathroom, I slip on my birks before I walk. Right after I dry off after the shower, the shoes go back on (even before I'm dressed!). The difference that makes is incredible.

Another thing that works for me is that the anti-inflamatory meds did not agree with me -- but before I know I am going to be on my feet for a while, I'll take 4 advils -- and I am good to go.

Good luck on your trip!

 

[tkitty]

I've also stuggled with PF in my left foot for about 9 monthes now. I really had no relief until I found shoes that had extra support for the heal and instep. I found a pair of Dr Sholes that did the trick (not all of there shoes had this support) I had been trying different inserts, which helped, but not alot. Then I bought a sleeve type ace bandage that is cusioned on both sides of the heal, adding support, and provides pressure on the instep. (Looks like a brown sock wit the front half of the foot cut off. This has helped the most, and I am improving alot. I may be wearing it inside my Tevas! We'll see. Yes stretching the calf and instep is so important after any rest period. Best of luck to you.

 

[Cookie Princess]

I have had several nasty bouts of this. One was right before a WDW vacation. I was devastated. I attended physical therapy which helped somewhat. However, the single best thing I did was go to a local medical supply store and buy a pair of shoe/sneaker liners made especially for PF. They are much better than any liner or heel cup that you get from a pharmacy such as Dr. Scholl's. They are thick and called Anti-Shok. I was able to walk all around WDW because of these gems. I still had to stretch and ice my foot, but these truly saved our vacation. The worst part about PF is that once you have it, you tend to be prone to it. I now stretch my feet every night. These liners are in all my sneakers and boots. They are pricey, about $20 per pair, but are worth it. Good luck. Let us know how you make out!

 

[krissyh]

Custom orthotics (pricey - can be inthe $200 range) are awesome.
Stretch throughout the day.
Plan your trip so you have a day with less walking (or being pushed/riding) after a day of a lot of walking.
Do you do the anti-imflams? I have had prescription strength but now do advil. Ask you dr. I start the day before my trip and take through the first full day and then see how I feel.

Good luck.

 

[jonimce]

WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE TELLING ME? I was told I would have this for about six mounths. I'm hearing long term here.

I have the inserts. Spanco. But after several hours of walking the pain is back. I was walking between 4 and 8 miles a day before the PF.

 

[daannzzz]

My PF came about in 2000 and I suffered with it for a while including a couple trips to Disneyland. Finally I went to the doctor. I did what he reccomended. I bought an insert (It is an expensive insert from Birkenstock) and nightly rolled my foot on a frozen bottle of water. After a couple months it was going away. It has not returned. I still wear the inserts (buy a new one each year) in my main pair of shoes. Have been to DL and WDW many times since and it has been fine.

 

[nuzmom]

I had PF for 2 years (did 2 WDW trips with it), but it's been gone for about 1 1/2 years now.

Here's what helped me...
1) Always wear shoes
2) I used "heal that pain" inserts from the internet, offered some relief http://www.heel-that-pain.com/
3) stretch before getting out of bed
4) stretch before and after walking
5) roll arch and heal on frozen bottle of water (every night or even 2 per day if you can)
6) take over the counter anti-inflammitories (advil)
7) most importantly - strengthen those leg muscles!!!!!!!

From what I understand from my doctors, PF is caused by the calf muscle and muscle that runs the bottom of the foot both being "shortened" from lack of stretching. When they are then stretched (by walking) they cause pockets of irritation where the tendons attach to the bones. These pockets cause the pain. The ice and meds ease the inflammation, but stretching and strengthening the muscles is what will heal the PF.

We bought a "gazelle" excersize machine and that's what healed mine. It's gentle, repeatative stretching and strengthing the muscles healed mine within a few weeks. This same machine worked for my mom's too. HOWEVER, my understanding is that you can get the same results (healing) by doing toe raises off of a step. I just wasn't dedicated enough to do them often enough and enough of them.

I don't know about your's but mine was "ok" WHILE I kept walking, it was when we'd stop to eat or take a break that getting going was PAINFUL. While at WDW, I HAD to make sure to stretch often, take advil, and do the ice at night and morning, NO MATTER WHAT.

Pixie dust to everyone suffering with PF

 

[MickeyP]

For everyone who is over PF, how long was this condition with you? Mine's been 6 months now.

 

[daannzzz]

I think I had mine for about a year and a half, maybe more.

 

[Feralpeg]

For everyone who is over PF, how long was this condition with you? Mine's been 6 months now.

I've had mine for almost ten years. It comes and goes. I can definitely tell when I have been over doing it or wearing the wrong shoes. I have had cortisone treatments over the years that help. I'm doing pretty well right now. I do get the burning sensation at night sometimes, but not too much pain walking.

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks so much. The thing that really gets me is I never wear shoes in the summer. Flip flpos, teva's or nothing.

Unfortunately, they say you should always wear something on your feet, sneakers preferably. Going barefoot makes it worse.

 

[jonimce]

Unfortunately, they say you should always wear something on your feet, sneakers preferably. Going barefoot makes it worse.

Sorry, I meant before I got the PF. Now I wear the running shoes at all times.

Do you roll the frozen water bottle on the heel or arch? Or both?

 

[nuzmom]

Do you roll the frozen water bottle on the heel or arch? Or both?

Both. Lay a towel on the floor, lay the bottle down on it's side, and then roll your foot on the frozen bottle from the ball of your foot as far back towards the heal as you possibly can. That helps stretch the muscle/tendons on the bottom of the foot and reduce the inflammation. If it's too cold for you, the easiest thing to do is put a sock on your foot.