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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Footwear recommendations - plantar fasciitis

37 replies

Wrinklefree · 08/03/2022 23:17

Can anyone recommend any comfortable shoes that will help heal or ease the pain of a plantar fasciitis?

OP posts:
Original poster
Wrinklefree · 08/03/2022 23:18

Sorry didn’t mean to enable voting.

OP posts:
RonCarlos · 08/03/2022 23:20

My husband has this and got some Brooke trainers properly fitted at a footwear shop. It seems to have helped. He also does stretch exercises using a band and went to an osteopath who realigned his back. I have no idea if that was related but it also helped.

Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 08/03/2022 23:20

Barefoot shoes are worth a try. Vivo barefoot are probably the best known brand

BuanoKubiamVej · 08/03/2022 23:20

Doc martens with an extra insole for arch support

Birkenstocks in summer.

losingthemind · 08/03/2022 23:23

Vionic trainers made a big difference to me. And Birkenstocks in the summer.

Circlesandtriangles · 08/03/2022 23:23

I don't think Birkenstocks are great for it - I've always found mine contribute to it during summer months. The best I find are supportive trainers designed for high impact workouts - basically trainers with good arch support. Wearing trainers each day for a week usually clears up the pain for me.

Tulipdays · 08/03/2022 23:24

Highly recommend Vionics. Got a pair of trainers last year and they have cured my PF. At one stage I could not walk in the evenings and first thing in the morning because of the pain, now not a problem at all.

2021s · 08/03/2022 23:25

Nike air trainers and yoga

TheFoldOx · 08/03/2022 23:26

@Wazzzzzuuuuuuup

Barefoot shoes are worth a try. Vivo barefoot are probably the best known brand
Are you sure, @Wazzzzzuuuuuuup? I've always been advised that arch support is important, which these types of shoes don't provide?
horsemadgal · 08/03/2022 23:28

Nike Air trainers. Skechers and Birkenstocks didn't work for me.

Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 08/03/2022 23:28

I work in a service with podiatry input supporting patients with PF and foot drop. Our teams often recommend the barefoot shoes as they increase foot strength

TheFoldOx · 08/03/2022 23:31

@Wazzzzzuuuuuuup

I work in a service with podiatry input supporting patients with PF and foot drop. Our teams often recommend the barefoot shoes as they increase foot strength
Fair enough then, @Wazzzzzuuuuuuup. Just wanted to check as it was the opposite of what I was advised a few years ago.
TheFoldOx · 08/03/2022 23:35

@Wrinklefree, you may already have visited the NHS website, but it advises that you do "wear shoes with cushioned heels and good arch support; use insoles or heel pads in your shoes" and that you don't "wear high heels or tight pointy shoes; wear flip-flops or backless slippers; walk barefoot on hard surfaces".

imthesame · 08/03/2022 23:39

FitFlops - the actual flip flops for around the house. And other FitFlop shoes for outside. I found anything that supported my arch and lifted my heel helped.

imthesame · 08/03/2022 23:40

Obviously I didn't read the NHS advice re the flip flops!

FantasticFebruary · 08/03/2022 23:44

Personally I tried a million different shoes/orthotics/exercises, but sketchers go walk4 were what sorted it out for me. Not all sketchers are the same though

Good luck it's a living hell until you find the thing that's right for you!

MrsEricBana · 08/03/2022 23:54

Neighbour was in agony with this and Fitflops were the only thing that worked for her and actually helped.

HeckinMiffed · 08/03/2022 23:56

Following. I've been off running for a year with PF. I did have Brooks fitted for me at a running shop. but I still tie my laces to allow my arch to move. I also wear a supportive insole every day.
They are still sore/tender daily but I wear comfy trainers and stretch carefully.

GibbonsGoatsGibbons · 08/03/2022 23:59

Sketchers with added gel arch insole keep mine at bay but what fixed it was a massage gun on my calf regularly

Cabbagepie · 09/03/2022 01:19

Another vote for Vionics, together with exercises advised by the physio. I seldom get any pain from PF now.

Foldinthecheese · 09/03/2022 02:33

I went to a store where they specialise in gait analysis. They were able to do a scan of my foot and took a bunch of measurements, as well as analysing my gait. I tried on three pairs of trainers that they recommended based on my feet, and then they gave me a few insoles to try. Since wearing those trainers and insoles, the difference has been remarkable. My plantar fasciitis is gone, and other issues I was having with my feet during workouts have cleared up as well. It was expensive, but absolutely worth it for the change.

Original poster
Wrinklefree · 09/03/2022 02:40

Thank you everyone, will look into some of the 1’s you have mentioned.

OP posts:
WhereTheWildlingsLive · 09/03/2022 02:45

Crocs as slippers (wear permanently in the house, sooo comfy), Crocs flip flops in summer, gel heel trainers with arch support insole, and removable transferable insoles for any boots. I also swear by rolling a ball under my soles at least once a day.

Due to all this I am now back running again after about 18 months barely able to walk 😊

PurpleMarie · 09/03/2022 02:48

PF is as much about your calve muscles as it is about your arch. Be sure to stretch your calves regularly, especially in the morning before you get out of bed.