Plantar fasciitis --- Who knew?

[Dad]

For those who do not know what this is... Here's Wikipedia description.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantar_fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a disorder of the connective tissue which supports the arch of the foot. It results in pain in the heel and bottom of the foot that is usually most severe with the first steps of the day or following a period of rest. Pain is also frequently brought on by bending the foot and toes up towards the shin. The pain typically comes on gradually, and it affects both feet in about one third of cases.

Now that I am older I found myself with this issue on my left foot. The pain varies though out the day depending on what my activities are. Simple things like walking through a grocery store was a big challenge holding on to the cart and limping. It feels like you are walking on a thumbtack stuck in your heal.

I went to the doc... he did an x-ray and said no bone spur so you injured your ligament. He was the first to say I had three options. Shoe inserts with anti-inflammatories and ice packs or cortisone shots or surgery. For the past 18 months there has been little success with the inserts he sold me (expensive) and the inflammation continues. I wear a boot to bed which is a royal pain in the arse. I have not had the shots and recently learned surgery has only about a 30% success rate and includes a three month rehab.

Does anyone else have Plantar fasciitis? What have you done about it?




.

[timebuilder]

I had my first bout of it about 15 years ago when I weighed 50lb more, and fortunately when I lost the 50lb the plantar fasciitis went away nearly completely.

This time around, I put have back about 25 lb... and if I don't do anything it is really really bad.... pretty much like you described.

I did some research online and began rolling my left foot ....which is the worst one..... back in forth over a frozen bottle of water every night, and I also spent some time with the bottle under the right foot.

The idea is you're breaking up scar tissue and your reducing inflammation so that the planner fascia as a better chance of healing.

Afew weeks ago, I got to the point where I stopped using the water bottle because I thought I had really gotten it under control....but after a couple of days of not using it it came roaring back like I was standing on an acetylene torch, so I have decided that for the next couple months, every night, I'm going to spend some quality time with the frozen water bottle...particularly just in front of the heel bone, which is the area which gets the most sore.

If I still have a problem by Halloween I'm probably going to go and get the x-ray and see if I have a bone spur.

[Dad]

I too tried the frozen water bottle and did all the exercises the Doc requested of me... no joy.

I was thinking seriously about getting the surgery. However, the insurance company wants me to go through a process to justify the surgery. It starts with doing the exercises and shoe inserts then the shots if nothing seems to help they will authorize cutting the side flap of the foot when the Doc will cut the tendon and lengthen it. Which brings us to the three month rehab while you are putting pressure on the other foot which can cause the same damage.

Last weekend I heard an advertisement for "The Good Feet Co.". They are experts with foot inserts for corrective conditions including Plantar fasciitis.

https://www.goodfeet.com/

I read reviews some good and some bad but the good reviews were really good. I took a chance and went to see them. I found them very pleasant and professional. They put me though a foot fitting for their product to adjust my feet to the proper angles. The package is expensive but the surgery is a whole lot more then toss in the rehab time.

I don't know what to expect just yet but here is what I've got so far. I walked into that store this Sunday hobbling and an hour later walked out pain free. There is a set of three heal/arch inserts they sell. You wear then a certain number of hours a day then change to another then relax the rest of the day with the last pad. I'm two days into the program and still pain free.... Yes, walking normally as well.

I'm not telling anyone this is the answer but for me it is working. My arches are sore and this will go away as I get used to the new inserts but there is no pain, no new pain and no more thumbtack in my heal.

I'll keep posting here with future results.


.

[Answer-Man]

This little thing I keep in my pocket (fit bit) tells me I walk about 12 to 15 miles a day. I still have flair-ups, but ice and Ibuprofen are my friends.

Years ago when it was real bad I went to see and arthritis Dr. he told me no arthritis in my foot, keep it stetched, wear shoes with good support, use ice, asprin, ibuprofen as needed I happen to be doing work and notice a "Good Feet" Sign. So I stopped in from what I could see as the difference in their supports to the others was they were firm plastic and the store actually fit my foot with the correct size. Not these soft, rubbery, cushiony inserts. But they were expensive (more than $200 in 2000). The store told me they would hurt at first, wear them a couple hours per day and graually I'd get used to them. I bought a new pair of work shoes at the same time. Within about 3 weeks I was wearing them all day in about 1 month the pain was gone. I still have a pair but do not use them. Once the inflamation went down I found that by having 2 or 3 different pairs of shoes and alternated them every couple days and making sure they fit has kept my feet mostly pain free.

I don't think there are any "good feet" stores left, stands to reason I guess due to their cost, they just couldn't sell enough. I guess the moral of my story is get the inflamation under control however you can, Ice, Ibuprofen, or somthing better a Dr can provide like steroids, then try rotating shoes. My son get's lots of shoes as hand me downs. I can tell when I begin to get the shoe broke down as my foot starts to hurt, then I know it time to get a different pair. Sometimes I make the wrong choice and it does not take long before the pain tells me find a different shoe (I buy a new pair about every 3 - 4 months). Shoes that have worked for me: Dr Comfort, Rockports, New Balance, Merrell, Sketchers (safety and regular shoes). The most uncomfortable: Redwings

Good Luck

[Dad]

So... I'm just starting the process but very happy so far... I can walk without a cane or limping after the first hour.

There are many stores near Atlanta and it sounds like they have been around for about 20 or more years which is good to know.

I have each insert (3) in different shoes. I read reports on this shoe which houses my maintenance insert. Check them out https://comfortfootwearguide.com/whi...tar-fasciitis/

Unfortunately I am on blood thinners so I can't take NSAIDS not even steroid creams. I can only take Tylenol and only for short periods at a time. I do my exercises as I've done for 18 months now and I have a frozen ankle/foot wrap I use to keep the inflation down.

I was told by Good Feet that this is a long process but after about three weeks I will be used to the stretcher insert and should be able to wear them over 8 hours. They also told me that for some people this is a life long experience. That's fine with me... the inserts are lifetime warranty.

I appreciate you sharing your story.



.

[Gunslinger]

T went thru this as many have. I went to the foot doctor and he gave me a shot that hurt like the dickens. He made a conglamination. He then had me buy an insert for my shoes. This helped but it took a month. Then I went to the VA, they gave me three pairs of inserts all for no charge. I wear them all the time. The pain went away. I also used a frozen water bottle which did not do squat. Thank the Lord I do not have that problem now.

[Sleuth]

.

I've worn GF arch supports for about
20 years. They're a must have for me.

Certainly $$$. No pricing....
..

[Dad]

.

I've worn GF arch supports for about
20 years. They're a must have for me.

Certainly $$$. No pricing....
..

I'm hoping for the best and yes they are pricey

Worth it though if it works

[Adlerberts-Protege]

Not to hijack, but had anyone else had gout? I had it for about 10 days last year but it never came back. I continue to eat red meat and drink alcohol, lol.

It hurt like a son of a bytch and couldnt really walk.

[Gunslinger]

Yep and it hurts. haven't had an attack in over 20 years but i take a pill every day. It is a result of the body not excreating uriatic acid fast enough.

as for Planter Fasciitis they cast your foot and make an arch support custom made for you. These supports are a a'foot saver" I think the first pair cost over $400. from the private doctor but I rec'd three pair for free from the VA.

[oldguy1949]

I had it per 2 Dr's diagnosis. Did some of their stuff to no avail. The girl that does my wife's nails said get a foot file or pumice stone and get the many layers of dead skin that builds up on the bottom of our feet. Worked for me. I will admit maybe I didn't really have the problem, I just know no more pain.

[knave]

Asics make a line of shoe that is very good for plantar fasciitis especially when used with an insert from Tradehome shoes. My wife has hers under control with this.

[timebuilder]

No GF stores in Eastern Pa........

[BBeerme]

I had the same symptoms as Dad described in the first post three times about 90 days apart. Fifteen maybe 20 years ago. Searing pain to point you can barely get out of bed.

Come to find out I was damaging my foot with the new pair of pricey boots. Felt like I was walking on cotton, but no support. So I went out and bought a boot with the hardest sole I could find. Haven't had a problem since.

Caterpillar brand boot. At only half the price of those pricey ones.