Plantar fasciitis

[Olphart]

Anybody suffered through this? I've had it for the past few years and have used ice packs, shoe inserts, etc. It was only my left foot, but now I feel it in my right also. I had it under control, for the most part, but I've done something to make it hurt like hail again, especially when I get up from bed. But, I'm limping around all day now.

Anybody else experienced this and what did you do to heal yourself?

[Texastaxi]

I've got it in both feet.

Only tried the expensive, prescription insoles ... they don't help.
My bride is supposed to order the boot thingies, that stretch the tendon, for me.

[cosmiccowboy]

I tried just about everything...orthotic insoles, cortisone, etc. I could barely walk. Finally did a series of ultrasound treatments that fixed it. the theory is they slightly "damage" the area with ultrasound and the scar tissue that forms cures the plantar fascitis. It supposedly works in about 60% of the cases and I was one of the lucky ones.

[Pistol]

I have been through the ringer with this. After two years of being 80% better through wearing stiff soles shoes, the podiatrist recommended surgery. DON't ever! I did and have been in more pain than ever before the surgery and now I have a broken bone in my foot due to the lack of suppport. Ok, enough of what not to do.
My second foot doctor is an orthopedic specializing in foot issues. He was really mad when he found out I had surgery. He said there are many things you can try. Starting with stiff soled shoes, progress to a walking boot which totally rests the foot (4-6 weeks), try steroid injections (painful at first but works pretty good), ultrasound, and burnishing (not fun). Also try putting steel or carbon rods in footwear.
Most everything you can do invloves a doctor's prescription, but try an orthopedic over a podiatrist. They are less likely to recommend surgery. PM me any time if you have any other questions or concerns

[TexaRican]

I slept in a boot, took advil and rolled/stretched my foot on a frozen water bottle after every run. Took several months to get through it but one day it just went away. Meanwhile a buddy was getting needles stuck in his foot for the same thing. I guess it just comes down to personal pain threshold but I don't like visiting the doctor.

Now I can sense it coming back and will start the whole stretching and icing routine to fend it off. Mainly I think it came down to getting a proper fit on my running shoe.

[Mudslinger]

I have it in both feet, had surgery on the left and now wear orthotics with no problem from the orthotics or the surgery.

[a3dhunter]

Mine started this summer and almost ruined my elk hunt this year.

I have high arches and started wearing Brooks Beast shoes with orthotic insoles, as my feet started getting better I had to change insoles.
I went to SOLE insoles and they allowed me to make it through elk season.

I also do the standard stretching in the morning before standing up and then really stretch it out after that. If it gets to bothering me too much I use the ice packs and frozen water bottles as well.

It had me to the point of not walking upright......I was willing to pay anything. Ended up paying $275 to the pediatrist, then the $230 on the shoes and insoles, then another $50 on the SOLE insoles.......and you can imagine $50-80 on various insoles early on trying to get something that worked....

I would easily give $500 a year to never have that type of foot pain again.....

forgot to mention, the most important thing for me was never, never walking barefoot. If I do the pain starts coming back. I have to have something like a berkenstock sandle or shoes on at all times.

[Deb]

I have more than one friend who suffers with this condition. They are pain free after doing a sieries of stretching exercises.

[Double L]

I have it in one foot. The thing that has helped mine the most is wearing Crocs whenever I can. I hated the look of those ugly things but the soft cushioning has helped it. I now own about 5 pair of Crocs from house shoes to sandals. I wear dress shoes with custom made orthotics during the day and then put on the Crocs anytime I am able to. Might not be a cure all but it sure has helped mine.

[6.8mmSPC]

I fixed mine by not ever going barefooted except in the shower. I bought some Birkenstock sandels and keep them by the bed. If I am not in bed I have on my sandels or supportive boots/shoes. No flip flops or houseshoes.

[bsimm78]

Got it im both feet while in the Army. Constant stretching is key. I rememberwaking up one morning thinking both of my feet were broken. Through daily stretching and custom inserts the pain is almost gone. Flares up sometimes but good for the most part now.

[Pistol]

They say 90% of sufferers are cured by stretching and orthotics. Interesting about the Crocs. I ahve always been told to stay away fom anything that does not have a stiff mid-section and no going barefoot. Shoes should bend at the ball of your foot only. Flip flops are the worst.

[coogfan]

I had it bad a couple times and it isn't fun. I start to get it when my running shoes wear down. I run on a tread mill so it's hard to tell when its time to get a new pair of NB's. As soon as I start to feel the pain I'm off to academy for a new pair of speedy go fasters. I wear flip flops pretty much all the time and since I switched to the cammo croc flip flops it's all good. Also streching your calf muscles is the key.

[jerp]

About this time last year it got so bad in my left foot I had to quit running, and just in the last month have gotten over it enough to run again. What I will tell you is there is no "Magic Bullet" that helps everybody. I slept in a boot for 6 months and tried various orthotic inserts. I rolled my foot constantly on a frozen water bottle. What helped the most was going to a chiropractic clinic that specializes in Sports Medicine. Over about 10 sessions he would deeply massage the area where the fascia meets the heel. The theory is the massage breaks up the adhesions in the damaged tissue. It helped tremendously. Read about it here:http://www.activespineandsport.com/ click on "Therapies". I now do two things to keep it from coming back. I drilled a hole through 4 golf balls and ran a long bolt through them. I keep it under my desk and roll my foot on it during the day. The other thing - this sounds a bit weird - every night I stand on softballs. Before I go to bed I steady myself on the wall and stand on two softballs for about 5 minutes. It hurt a little when I first started but not anymore. It really stretches eveything out and also improves balance. I have bought into the "natural running" theory described in the book "Born to Run". Instead of heavily padded shoes that promote excessive heel strike I now run in a simple shoe that helps you mimic a more natural barefoot stride. The idea is that you will develop the muscles and other soft tissue - wearing a heavily padded shoe causes the muscles to atrophy - like your arm in a cast. The medical community is divided on this - many podiatrists think it is B.S. - a fad that will pass - but it is working well for me.

[DoubleGArchery]

I had it in both feet. I bought some of those springy shoes called Z-Coil. They worked but ive found that good shoes with arch supports and not wearing the same shoes two days in a roll help me. The frozen can of veggys rolled under your foot hurts so good when your in pain. Good Luck I know what your going through.