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Original poster

plantar fasciitis

38 replies

CheeryCherry · 06/10/2010 11:06

Thankyou puzzlepetal....I went to see my podiatrist and you were right to diagnose my heel pain! And by using the icey bottle to roll my foot on, the swelling has reduced. Have ended up having 3 weeks off, feel bad about that but could not have done my job with such pain on standing.
So thankyou, things are better, am doing the exercises and fingers crossed am back at work next week. Cheers! Grin

OP posts:
DaftApeth · 06/10/2010 11:13

What exercises do you have to do?

I think I get this. First thing in morning is usually when it is at it's worst Sad

Original poster
CheeryCherry · 06/10/2010 11:20

Sounds likely DaftApeth.
Firstly, before you get up, put a scarf under your toes and pull your foot upwards,towards you, holding it til you feel the stretch. Do both feet, a few times.
Then, freeze a small bottle of water, then roll it under your foot for as long as you can stand it - its v v v cold!!
Standing on tiptoes, hold it, then relax.
Scrunch your toes up whenever sitting around.
All these are designed to relax and loosen the ligament under your foot.
Its better to see a podiatrist too though - she has made me throw away all my old flat trainers...that was half the problem.

OP posts:
DaftApeth · 06/10/2010 11:38

Yes, I probably should see someone.

I do mostly wear my converse trainers but have bought some inserts for them which I think help a bit.

I shall try the exercises though, thankyou.

So is the aim to stretch the ligaments?

Original poster
CheeryCherry · 06/10/2010 14:37

Yes mine was far to tight, needs stretching and massaging and decent footwear! Its common for both heels to feel painful, and I don't want that, so am being good and doing as I'm told for once.

OP posts:
DaftApeth · 06/10/2010 15:53

So what footwear are you using now you have ditched the trainers?

SauvignonBlanche · 06/10/2010 16:23

I use Profoot insoles now, they're great.Smile
I know lots of people who have had it, have never heard of someone needing to be off work though.Shock

FleurDelacour · 06/10/2010 16:49

I use FitFlops, as recommended by my podiatrist (I do live in Asia where it is always warm). I find the pain is at its worst in the evening not the morning. I too avoid completely flat shoes or sandals as the pain afterwards is excruciating.

I've never heard of anyone having to take time off work either.

ezrida · 07/10/2010 09:15

Hi
I have plantar fasciitis myself for a few months now. My podiatrist prescribed me with Custom made orthotics which did not work at all. I understood that treatment efficiency is very individual. If something works for one it may not work for the other. I have found Taping very useful.
Today as I am feeling much better with the pain I am doing a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises. I have found a good website summary explaining the subject of these exercises in:
www.plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com/plantar_fasciitis_exercises.html
Take care & Good luck

puzzlepetal · 08/10/2010 11:55

Hi Cheery. Glad you are improving. I have had my PF for 14 months now! But instead of feeling as if I am standing on an upended pair of scissors(which I did for many months), it feels like I have a sharp thorn embedded in my heel. I had 6 months off work which was a nightmare but have been back for five and am coping quite well with being on my feet all day. I have had every non-surgical treatment except shockwave which I am on a waiting list for. I wear custom made orthotics with stability trainers recommended by my podiatrist.

Bearcat · 08/10/2010 20:27

I had plantar fasciitis about 10 years ago.
It lasted for about a year. Worse on getting out of bed in the morning or if I had sat down for a while and then got up.
It then just disappeared overnight and I have never had it since.
Had no treatment at all, although did once speak to GP about it who mentioned a steroid injection and then proceeded to tell me how very painful that would be.

puzzlepetal · 08/10/2010 22:06

No kidding, the steroid injection was vile- I passed out! And it didn't help at all.
When offered a second one I politely declined....

Original poster
CheeryCherry · 08/10/2010 22:15

DaftApeth I have Nike Airs now, so comfy and supportive. Tried on some fitflop boots today - lovely but too pricey!
SauvignonBlanche I can't believe I was off work either but my heel was so swollen, I was told to rest in order for it to settle down. My job is mainly standing and walking, so had no choice- was told recovery time would be worse if I continued.
Am bit disappointed today as its hurting a lot and am due back to work on Monday. Yes the injection sounds horrid!

OP posts:
dearprudence · 08/10/2010 22:15

Another sufferer here. Have had it about a year now. I'm cautiously saying it might be getting a bit better. Or maybe I'm just normalising it!

piratecat · 08/10/2010 22:21

inserts helped me raise the arch. i got some from the schol shopand one pair from an independent foot place.

MIne lasted about 18 months. I wear fitflops and birkies, in summer, NO flipflops. No converse type shoe wear, they don't supprt you. I wear my adidas but again they are leather and i wear insoles in them.

It's excruciating isn't it.

brimfull · 08/10/2010 22:24

Another good exercise which stretches the ligament ; stand on a stair with your heel hanging off and push the heel down.
I had pf about 10 yrs ago , had ultrasound and ice pack treatment which eventually helped.

About 5 yrs later trained for the moonwalk and buggered it up again.
have tried acupuncture but that didn't work.

I am fine now but have to be careful when I walk quickly and long distances.
I am fine walking fast on fitflops, they are seriously brilliant for my pf and am now looking to get the boots .

Original poster
CheeryCherry · 08/10/2010 22:25

Am amazed how many folk on here have got/had it - I had never heard of it til 3 weeks ago! And yes its miserable. Am looking into fitflops - have heard good things about them.

OP posts:
brimfull · 08/10/2010 22:27

my friend in dubai said she knows loads of people out there with pf because they live in flip flops or sandals with no cushioning for the foot

piratecat · 08/10/2010 22:28

the fitflops worked for me, but i couldn't be in them more than about 5-6 hours. I got me some Birkenstock Relax, and they just helped my foot it a different way. I found alternating worked for me.

puzzlepetal · 08/10/2010 22:56

Cheery since your PF is recent in onset a steroid injection may well work as you are in the acute inflammation stage. But if you choose to have it take some strong painkillers before you go!

maryz · 08/10/2010 22:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

puzzlepetal · 08/10/2010 23:00

Oh and go to the GP to rule out any other underlying causes. Or get referred to a rheumatologist or orthopaedic consultant. I am seeing a wonderful one!

DaftApeth · 09/10/2010 15:24

I didn't realise that Fitflops sell shoes as well as boots. I might have to go and have a look at some. It's not really going to be fitflop flipflop weather soon, is it?

Inserts in my converse do help but don't completely prevent the pain. Living in flipflops all summer has definitely exacerbated the problem, I think, though. So I can understand lots of people in Dubai suffering too!

SauvignonBlanche · 09/10/2010 15:29

Hope it stays OK once you're back at work, I'm on my feet all day and used to be in tears towards the end of the day.
Do go to your GP if it persists depite the podiatry intervention.
There is surgery available.

Original poster
CheeryCherry · 10/10/2010 19:15

SauvignonBlanche...thats what I'm worried about - that when I go back tomorrow I will be back to square one. Its not swollen, it is intermittent during the day. I just hate messing my colleagues about, its just a rubbish situation to be in. Anyhow, looked at fitflop ankle boots this weekend - lovely - but £135!!!! Eek!

OP posts:
puzzlepetal · 10/10/2010 20:22

Be prepared! Tape your foot. Sit down whenever you can and ice it during your breaks. I wish you very well xx

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