Plantar Fasciitis (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Fun] >> Health & Fitness



Message

raspberry331 -> Plantar Fasciitis (5/14/2008 2:02:26 PM)

Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia or arch tendon of the foot. It is an overuse injury causing heel pain which may radiate forward into the foot.Does anyone out there deal with this? I do and I recently went in for my second shot and was told if it doesn't get better in another 2 months,I'll need the surgery. Has anyone had this surgery? How was it?I heard it's a long recovery. I'm praying that it doesn't come down to that. But this thing really hurts. I'm on oral medication,wearing heel spurs, and icing it every night.



manda59 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/15/2008 6:32:13 AM)

Have you been doing exercises several times a day?
What kind of footwear are you wearing, both in the home and outside?

I would strongly advise AGAINST having surgery.

I have plantar fasciitis, and several months of exercises and wearing supportive shoes have eased most of the discomfort.

I remember your other thread HERE - you seemed to be coping with it ok, what happened, that made you consider shots and surgery?



stellaluna -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/15/2008 9:21:15 AM)

Have you tried those funky socks? A lot of runners use them. The Strassburg Sock

My husband had problems for several months and he just stretched a lot and used ice. (Froze water in a 20 oz. bottle and would roll his foot over it.)

I would do everything possible before having surgery.



GrahamCracker -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/15/2008 11:44:16 AM)

I would also avoid surgery if you can. Two things I would recommend. Do the exercises your doctor recommends, assuming you have seen a doctor. Further, get some good shoes that support the arch of your foot. I wear New Balance walking shoes. Because I have a narrow heal, I feel that if my shoe is just a little wide, the side to side movement of my foot inside the shoe contributes to its having insufficient support under the arch.

I have also heard good things about SAS (San Antonio Shoes) but cannot speak from experience. For work shoes, I recommend Red Wing shoes.



shawke -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/15/2008 9:53:52 PM)

New Balance shoes really are the best for plantar fasciitis. I also got a pair Scholl's inserts for heel pain at Walgreens that helps even more. I can now stand on my feet all day again, where before I would be in agony after an hour or so.

A good stretch is to stand on a stair step with only the pads of your feet on the tread and bend your ankles down towards the next lower step until you feel a nice stretch. Do that a bunch of times each day.



Kerrlaw -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/15/2008 10:47:33 PM)

I switched to New Balance sneakers for exercise. Mrs. K wears only Birkenstocks or New Balance.

This seems to have solved the problem, no pain in about two years.



pumpkin -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/16/2008 1:59:53 PM)

when you say that you are "wearing heel spurs" what exactly do you mean? (all I can picture is cowboy spurs on the back of boots)

I had heel problems quite a while back. Basically it was because I was teaching during the day, and working retail nights and weekends. I was on my feel almost all day long. I wasn't allowed to wear sneakers, they had to be "dress" shoes, and so I was very limited in what I could do. Recovery did take a while, but I bought the best shoes I could, and I did my stretches/exercises faithfully, and tried never to let bare feet hit the ground (my doctor's advice) and through all that, eventually, they got better. I have pain once in a while now, but most of the time it's good enough that I don't even notice any pain in my heels or feet anymore. =)

I would not do surgery. I also would not do cortisone shots. From what I hear, they don't work all that well, you need to repeat them, etc... I would definitely get atleast a second opinion before doing surgery. I would exhaust all other options before doing that.



manda59 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/17/2008 6:56:57 AM)

raspberry

What doesn't sit right with me is how your "treatment" has accelerated in such a relatively short time. Three months ago you were complaining of foot pain and hadn't seen a doctor. Now you're already on oral meds, steroid shots and considering surgery. It all seems too much too soon for me, and I would honestly question the medical advice you're getting.

When I first went to my doc with the pain, he referred me to a specialist foot clinic, where I went within 2 weeks. There, the podiatrist gave me inserts for my shoes, and gave me exercises to do several times a day, and told me to come back and see him in 3 months. In other words, I was to try this for 3 months before we even started to talk about steroid shots, let alone surgery. I honestly question whethre you have given the sensible shoes/stretching exercises route sufficient time to work.



raspberry331 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/17/2008 10:18:48 AM)

I am seeing a podiatrist. And what has me wondering, is why everyone is talking about foot exercises when indeed I was never told to do them by this doctor nor do they work for me. I've taken your advice about the exercises. Perhaps,my case is more extreme. I don't know. Manda,actually,I've been the podiatrist a few times now. My foot seemed to of improved the first time,but after 10 days it started to act up again. I was told this was normal and that I may need a few more shots before it is completley healed. And if it does not comepletley heal, I need to look into surgery. I'm wearing good shoes. I'm on my feet all day. I'm just doing what I'm told.



stellaluna -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/17/2008 11:58:34 AM)

I think the reason everyone is talking about exercises is because the common treatment for plantar faciitis consists of foot exercise, stretching, anti-inflammatories and ice for months...I think up to a year in some cases.

I daresay the fact that you're on your feet all day is contributing. I don't know what your job is, but is there a way to sit at times? Maybe with a tall stool even?



manda59 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/17/2008 6:29:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: raspberry331
I am seeing a podiatrist. And what has me wondering, is why everyone is talking about foot exercises when indeed I was never told to do them by this doctor nor do they work for me.


raspberry, it can easily take months for the exercises to "work", even up to a year. So, saying they don't work for you could well not be accurate - it could be just that you haven't done them often enough, for long enough.

quote:


I've taken your advice about the exercises. Perhaps,my case is more extreme.


If you saw the way I used to hobble when I got out of bed, or got up from a chair or my car seat, I don't think you'd say my case was less extreme. Exercise relieved my symptoms within 4 or 5 months - and I've trained myself to stretch my plantar fascia and Achilles tendon every time I'm sitting, even here at the computer.

Have you been off work at all with this problem?

quote:


My foot seemed to of improved the first time,but after 10 days it started to act up again.


When you say "the first time", do you mean the first time you had a shot?

quote:


I was told this was normal and that I may need a few more shots before it is completley healed. And if it does not comepletley heal, I need to look into surgery. I'm wearing good shoes. I'm on my feet all day. I'm just doing what I'm told.


I personally think that you should get a second opinion from a different podiatrist. You may not be aware that repeated steroid shots can actually rupture the plantar fascia - in other words, it may appear to help at first, but could have serious long-term consequences that could leave you worse off.

And as for surgery, this from Wiki:

quote:


Surgery carries the risk of nerve injury, infection, rupture of the plantar fascia, and failure of the pain to improve. Surgical procedures, such as plantar fascia release, are a last resort, and often lead to further complications such as a lowering of the arch and pain in the supero-lateral side of the foot due to compression of the cuboid bone.


It sounds like you may well have been rushed into the notion of shots and surgery, instead of being first given an exercise regime (to re-stretch the plantar fascia) for at least 3-6 months and possibly up to a year.



CoeurdeLeon_ -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/18/2008 9:09:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I think the reason everyone is talking about exercises is because the common treatment for plantar faciitis consists of foot exercise, stretching, anti-inflammatories and ice for months...I think up to a year in some cases.



Yes, it takes a long time. I suffered with it for 2 or 3 years before I tried exercises and different shoes. The exercises combined with a negative heel shoe, such as Earth shoes or Birkenstocks or Archipedico, worn all the time (no barefeet and no heels) relieved my symptoms and they haven't returned.



GrahamCracker -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/19/2008 5:03:46 PM)

If we think of torn fascia as similar/same to a torn muscle, that should give us some perspective. I have had back strain and shoulder strain that lasted several months. My own plantar fascitis lasted 6+ months before I was symptom free. I noticed the other day that it came back for the first time in 5 years.



imforlife -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/20/2008 10:26:29 PM)

Hey there. I had a pretty severe case and let me tell you...it hurt! I went to a store called Vernon Powell, bought really expensive New Balance shoes along with a pair of special orthodics. That did the trick and now as long as I wear the orthodics, I can wear a less expensive-still pretty costly though--pair of shoes.

GET ORTHODICS! Your Dr. should tell you that.

LINDA



crankius -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/20/2008 10:50:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I think the reason everyone is talking about exercises is because the common treatment for plantar faciitis consists of foot exercise, stretching, anti-inflammatories and ice for months...I think up to a year in some cases.



Yes, it takes a long time. I suffered with it for 2 or 3 years before I tried exercises and different shoes. The exercises combined with a negative heel shoe, such as Earth shoes or Birkenstocks or Archipedico, worn all the time (no barefeet and no heels) relieved my symptoms and they haven't returned.


I'm in agreement with these fine folks.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/21/2008 2:02:09 AM)

I have had it, and it was the worst pain I'd ever had in my life. Charley horses cannot compare. My lower arm knocked out of the socket cannot compare. Childbirth cannot compare. Falling on my head on cement cannot compare. Whiplash cannot compare. Two severe gallstone attacks cannot compare. It was that screaming-, tears-down-the-cheeks kind of pain.

I hobbled to the chiropractor, she diagnosed it, and informed me that I would be in pain for the next six months, and I might as well accept that. I didn't.

I looked up everything I could find and honed it down to this: Several times before going to bed (especially), but also everytime I thought about it, I put my foot flat on the floor, the wall, the foot of the bed, kept it rigidly flat, and bent my legs at the knee and ankle, stretching and holding them there. Through the first week, I took 2 over-the-counter ibuprophen as often as prescribed on the label, then the next week just two every night with food. (I also built up my calcium and potasium levels during this time, but be careful about potasium -- very careful. Some people should not do this.) The pain completely subsided within a month.

Over time, I forgot, then I noticed a few nights ago that I am feeling like I did before it struck. I started the exercises again, hoping to prevent it.

Oh -- I forgot! I also bought some Neovita arch supports (about $350 or so), which I ended up trading off for some $19 ones that worked better and which I still use daily.



manda59 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/24/2008 8:06:35 AM)

raspberry, are you still around?



W.O.F. -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/24/2008 10:46:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: raspberry331

I am seeing a podiatrist. And what has me wondering, is why everyone is talking about foot exercises when indeed I was never told to do them by this doctor nor do they work for me. I've taken your advice about the exercises. Perhaps,my case is more extreme. I don't know. Manda,actually,I've been the podiatrist a few times now. My foot seemed to of improved the first time,but after 10 days it started to act up again. I was told this was normal and that I may need a few more shots before it is completley healed. And if it does not comepletley heal, I need to look into surgery. I'm wearing good shoes. I'm on my feet all day. I'm just doing what I'm told.

May I suggest seeing an orthopaedist or orthopaedic podiatrist instead? MOST podiatrists are quick to recommend surgery and MOST podiatrists do fewer than 20 surgeries a year so they do not have the experience to be truly successful.

Considering that surgery is not even recommended anymore for plantar fascitis, I really question this doctor.

I work in an "on my feet" profession...and I have to buy new shoes every 2 to 3 months. I know that seems extreme...but even good expensive shoes break down...and the more they are worn...the faster. They may not show wear on the outside however. Find a good shoe that fits your foot type (and that is important....the wrong type of shoe for your foot will cause more pain..so while some recommend New Balance, others will recommend Easy Spirit, etc because it has to do with the shape and type of foot and how much flexiblity in your foot and how much you pronate when you step down). You can also buy gel inserts specifically for heel pain and that has helped me.

Try stretching your achilles tendon every night after work and several times a day while at work...this won't damage your foot and you may find it relieves a tremendous amount of the pain. It has helped mine a lot.

While some will tell you NOT to go barefoot...I have found that going barefoot at home has helped my plantar fascitis...again...you have to find what works for you.

See a different doctor as well.



locomom -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/26/2008 5:18:16 AM)

Noone has mentioned surgery about mine and I've had it for a while. The best things that have worked have been custom orthotics, a very good quality shoe(New Balance), and physical therapy. Have you done all these?



raspberry331 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/30/2008 2:28:58 PM)

Thank goodness,my foot is actually feeling better after the second shot. I will see the doctor again in a few weeks. I'm wearing Ryka sneakers,although I do switch them with my nurse shoes and I also wear my heel cups. And I take my oral medicine too. The first time around, I wasn't always taking my medicine,so that could of been why my foot wasn't getting better.



teachered -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/30/2008 10:30:34 PM)

My 13 year old son had been complaining of his heal hurting him for several months ago. I took him to his Pediatrician & he didn't seem to concerned. My son likes to wear skate shoes so he told him to start wearing better shoes & make sure they are tied. Well about a month ago he started complaining again. I switched him over to my Primary dr. & he diagnosed him with planter faciitis. He is very active. He just got through playing baseball & is now training for football.

He has dreams of playing college football so I am praying that God will heal his feet. We bought him some arch & heal supports. My dr also told him to soak his feet in hot water each night. We haven't done that yet, but I guess I'll have him try it. He also told him to take some aleve or ibuprofen for 10 days.

He is way too young to have this problem. Has anyone else heard of someone so young having this problem?

thanks!



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/30/2008 11:31:10 PM)

No! Amazing! Have him to lots of toe-toward-the-knee stretches, pushing the toe heard toward the knee!



manda59 -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/31/2008 7:01:44 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: raspberry331
Thank goodness,my foot is actually feeling better after the second shot. I will see the doctor again in a few weeks. I'm wearing Ryka sneakers,although I do switch them with my nurse shoes and I also wear my heel cups. And I take my oral medicine too. The first time around, I wasn't always taking my medicine,so that could of been why my foot wasn't getting better.



raspberry

Did you read our posts about how long you need to do the exercises for for them to work? And about our doubts concerning your podiatrist?

Thing is, the shots won't cure your problem, nor will the oral medication. They will just relieve the pain.

Exercise alone can cure it, if you do it for long enough.



stellaluna -> RE: Plantar Fasciitis (5/31/2008 11:22:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: teachered
My 13 year old son had been complaining of his heal hurting him for several months ago. I took him to his Pediatrician & he didn't seem to concerned. My son likes to wear skate shoes so he told him to start wearing better shoes & make sure they are tied. Well about a month ago he started complaining again. I switched him over to my Primary dr. & he diagnosed him with planter faciitis. He is very active. He just got through playing baseball & is now training for football.

He has dreams of playing college football so I am praying that God will heal his feet. We bought him some arch & heal supports. My dr also told him to soak his feet in hot water each night. We haven't done that yet, but I guess I'll have him try it. He also told him to take some aleve or ibuprofen for 10 days.

He is way too young to have this problem. Has anyone else heard of someone so young having this problem?

thanks!

Read through the other posts here and have him try some of those things. He is young to have it, but skate shoes are very flat and can cause a lot of foot problems. (Put an insole in his shoes if he continues to wear them.) He'll be fine, he just needs to take better care of his feet if he's prone to such problems.



Page: [1]



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI