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Original poster

Have you had Plantar Fasciitis?

111 replies

netto · 06/04/2023 20:58

If you have ; how long did it take to go away? Did it just stop hurting or did you do something to cure it?

I've had it about 6 weeks now and I'm fed up. I'd appreciate any advice.

Thank you

OP posts:
RoobarbandCustud · 07/04/2023 19:02

Switching to Fit Flops and Crocs got rid of mine in a few weeks. The dense rubbery soles protect feet from impact that inflames the ligament. I didn't do any exercises or anything. I'm sure there are other brands that do the same. Gel inserts didn't help though.

plantarfun · 07/04/2023 19:02

I also bought support socks on Amazon but they were rubbish.

poppym12 · 07/04/2023 19:30

I developed it late last year and at first it was truly agonising.

I did calf stretches and watched a video on YouTube for pressure point release (randomly on the side of the calf).

It's only really got better with time and wearing Birkenstocks whenever I'm not in bed. Don't even put your foot on the floor when you get out of bed without putting a supportive shoe on first.

I've put arch support insoles in all my trainers and boots so do wear them now but I still feel pain after I've had a busy day with lots of walking.

AnotherEmma · 07/04/2023 19:39

I've had a bad flare up for the last 6 weeks or so. Birkenstock slippers are helping but I think I need to get some flip flops (for home) with arch support too, don't like wearing socks and slippers when it gets hot, need to let my feet breathe!

I've had a couple of phone appts with a physio but need to see a podiatrist really.

I'm more than a bit overweight and need to lose weight, I'm sure that would help.

AnotherEmma · 07/04/2023 19:43

StopFeckingFaffing · 06/04/2023 21:04

Yes, I had it about 5 years and it's hideous so you have your sympathy

I got myself a special boot thing from Amazon and wore it to sleep in and also on an evening at home and this seemingly solved my problem. I carried on wearing it for a month or so after the pain had gone just to be sure and thankfully it has never returned. First few nights in the boot I ended up ripping it off half way through the night but it didn't take that long to get used to sleeping in it. It basically stops the tendon shortening during the night.

Did you have PF in both feet or just one?
Just wondering how the night splint works if you have it in both feet, presumably it's very uncomfortable to wear one on each leg?! I wonder if you can alternate legs each night?!

StopFeckingFaffing · 07/04/2023 20:03

I only had PF in one foot thankfully @AnotherEmma

I guess you would need 2 if you had it in both feet but would be very difficult to get comfortable in bed with a boot on both legs!

Marylou62 · 07/04/2023 20:10

Twinedpeaks · 06/04/2023 21:22

I'm 14 years and counting. Not a typo!

Ouch.. and I thought 4 yrs was bad...

Marylou62 · 07/04/2023 20:15

SummerSazz · 06/04/2023 23:33

I've had it for about 8 years. No where near as painful as it was originally but still can niggle a bit.

About 5 years in I had shockwave therapy and that certainly helped a lot. Now manage it with sketchers trainers with insoles and fit flops in the summer.

I can't wear heels unless they are heeled boots (insolia ones from M&S are good) or shoes with ankle straps

I may need HRT so maybe this will be my miracle cure!

I came on to say shockwave therepy. I couldn't have it with the physio because I was on blood thinners but bought a small device called 'Plantarcure'.. about £40..Helped enormously.. and I have Sketcher shoes and use a pair as slippers too...

CC4712 · 07/04/2023 20:21

I had this for 18mths. Tried the following:

  • podiatrist then new trainers- which I wore solely for 18mths- no heels
  • A sock thing with a strap to wear at night- it was awful and did nothing
  • rolled foot on a spiky ball
  • had physio and religiously did the stretches
  • lost 10kg, then eventually put 5kg back on
  • saw osteopath

About a month after I stopped doing the stretches- I woke up with no pain. That was 2yrs ago. I've since had maybe 2 twinges, but never had it like it was and no idea what helped or stopped it?

buckleten · 07/04/2023 21:28

I had it, worse on the right than on the left, caused by wearing ballet flats and old skechers. Birkenstocks are my saviour - I have sandals, boots, trainers and slippers all by them! Also some skechers arch fit trainers and some Vionics trainers. Try not to ever go barefoot as the arch needs support, and every night and morning whilst in bed I do calf stretches, which has been really helpful.

DustyLee123 · 07/04/2023 21:29

The only thing that got rid of mine was the laser, and now I never wear heels.

CatsGinAndTwiglets · 07/04/2023 22:08

Seems to be two opposing schools of thought on PF- the ‘wear arch support all the time’ band and the ‘strengthen your feet so you don’t need arch support, it’s only prolonging it’ band. Who knows- maybe foot exercises gradually working up to not needing external support is the best long term strategy?

Pinkhorse1 · 07/04/2023 22:13

Ok, here it goes.....

I know how painful it is having had this condition for a year or so myself. Like many others I tried absolutely everything.

Using the vibrating power plate at the local gym cured it the first time. I only realised, when I had it again the second time. I had to think what i may have done that cured it and it was the power plate. Went back to the gym, used it once again. Again in the first session it was totally gone. Never had it again since.

Hope this works for you all and wish you the best. Please give it a try and let me know if it helped you.

Tofumammy · 08/04/2023 09:13

TwoBlueFish · 06/04/2023 22:49

@Tofumammy do you have a link to the splint you bought?

Sorry not to have got back sooner- email problems.
Here's the link-
https://www.physioroom.com/physioroom-plantar-fasciitis-dorsal-night-splint-support

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/04/2023 10:44

I had it for months. I used a roller for my foot, I bought insoles specifically for the condition. I did a lot of stretches. Made sure my sliders were next to my bed otherwise I struggled in the morning. Never walked around bare foot. One day it just disappeared. Horrible condition, you have my sympathy.

ZirihePevzig · 08/04/2023 10:57

I had it. I switched to wearing only sensible sturdy shoes (birkenstocks, DMs, brogues if I had to be smart) and it went away after a few months. Snuck back slightly during covid when it was easy to hardly ever wear shoes at all, but went away again with sensible foot care.

GADDay · 08/04/2023 11:04

Calf stretches, massage and keeping feet flexed at night with strapping.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 08/04/2023 11:20

HewasH2O · 06/04/2023 21:12

Skechers Go Walk trainers and Birkenstock shoes, but not sandals. A nurse told me that the Birkenstock sandals I virtually lived in didn't fit my feet closely enough, but their shoes are completely pain free.

Skechers Go Walk caused mine.

They are fine for short distances on flat ground but a day in them on cobbles and stone flags left me in agony.

Birkenstocks saved the day, providing me with enough support to carry on walking around without too much pain.

I was on a sightseeing holiday, I coped by wearing fitflops for walking around the hotel room and when I wasn't going far because they were soft and felt nicest. The Birkenstocks were a bit hard but what I needed for longer distances. I also read up on excercises/stretches.

Eventually the PF eased and I haven't had an episode like it since. I did relegate the Skechers to commuting use, they are fine for the walk from the train station to the office but nothing more and I will never buy another pair.

Original poster
netto · 08/04/2023 13:35

I've been doing regular stretches and it was a lot better this morning until about 11am then back to the usual pain. I'm hoping this will improve.
My splint should arrive midweek, I have all my hopes pinned on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
netto · 08/04/2023 13:37

@Pinkhorse1
I haven't been going to the gym because of the pain but this will give me a push. I'll let you know the outcome, thanks.

OP posts:
Trollsinmyeggbox · 09/04/2023 11:18

I've been looking for a pair of trainers to wear in to take away for a city break and have settled on a New Balance collaboration with skater Jamie Foy.

The tongue is attached to the shoe with elastic quite high up so it's secure mid way, the toe box is roomy and the footbed is a sort of firm memory foam, with shaped heel cup and arch support. They also have quite a low ankle profile so no heel rub.I always knew skaters were on to something. I'm wearing them in at the minute and the PF is gone when they're on.

Gregorylass · 09/04/2023 11:26

Compression socks helped a lot.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/04/2023 11:30

Golf ball in the freezer and roll it under your foot

Never go barefoot

Never wear flat shoes,you need Birkenstocks or similar.

Excercises

mastertomsmum · 09/04/2023 11:42

Haflinger, Birkenstock, Ecco or shoe inserts from Podiatrist

Lilyofthevalley23 · 09/04/2023 11:45

During flare ups I roll a tennis ball under my feet whilst sat at my desk. Seems to give instant relief and worked in the longer term too. I also now wear shaped sole shoes rather than anything flat to stop it recurring.

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