Severe Plantar Facitis- recommendations!

[Anonymous]

Severe plantar fasciitis is ruining my life and I am looking for recommendations for doctors who can actually find solutions to treat this medically once and for all! Is there anyone in NoVA who can actually help?

If you know how painful this is you’ll understand. I have dealt with it for 5+ years. I already have the night-splint ski-boots, have tried stretches, went to the quack podiatrist who sold me $200 laser printed orthotics and shoes which made it worse (returned) and is now trying to sell me $300 electro therapy that isn’t covered by insurance bc it’s “experimental”. Meanwhile I can still barely walk, and forget about the things I used to enjoy like concerts and dancing and even hiking. I’m in so much pain it’s devastating. I wear orthopedic shoes from Orthofeet, Vionic, kuru, oofos, hoka. Nothing helps!

DH is planning a family trip for winter break which will be hiking and outdoor adventure and I’m so scared I won’t be able to participate bc of the pain.

I truly appreciate any referrals or recommendations for things that have actually worked.

[Anonymous]

I had terrible PF in one foot and I couldn't walk. I did everything but surgery including 5 sessions of electro therapy (I was desperate and my podiatrist agreed as a last resort, he didn't push it on me, and said 5 sessions was the max). I had the socks, the brace, the custom orthotics (I like those BTW).

Here is what ended up working for me and took about 1 month to see about 90% improvement. I bought hoka shoes (both the recovery shoe which is a super ugly flip flop and regular sneakers like this https://www.hoka.com/en/us/womens-everyday-running-shoes/gaviota-5/196565560629.html), wore the sneakers with my orthotics and NEVER went barefoot unless I was in the shower or sleeping in my bed. Otherwise (even if I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night) I always wore my hokas. No cute flat sandals, not other shoes period.

My podiatrist had recommended this to me initially but I thought hokas were so ugly and I also love shoes so I didn't think being rigid about only wearing one kind of shoe would work. But it did. 4 years later and I am still following this protocol and I am painfree.

[Anonymous]

The only solution was cortisone shots.

[Anonymous]

chiropractor cured mine somehow

[Anonymous]

I did end up having surgery. The doctor that did mine has moved out of the area though. I had tried everything many times and nothing worked. The doctor agree to do the surgery-a quick snip of the tissue to release it. It was a six week recovery-no weight but it has not bothered me since. Such a relief! If you truly have tried everything, I would see if you can find a doctor who will do it. A quick search of "plantar release surgery" and your area should get you started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had terrible PF in one foot and I couldn't walk. I did everything but surgery including 5 sessions of electro therapy (I was desperate and my podiatrist agreed as a last resort, he didn't push it on me, and said 5 sessions was the max). I had the socks, the brace, the custom orthotics (I like those BTW).

Here is what ended up working for me and took about 1 month to see about 90% improvement. I bought hoka shoes (both the recovery shoe which is a super ugly flip flop and regular sneakers like this https://www.hoka.com/en/us/womens-everyday-running-shoes/gaviota-5/196565560629.html), wore the sneakers with my orthotics and NEVER went barefoot unless I was in the shower or sleeping in my bed. Otherwise (even if I had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night) I always wore my hokas. No cute flat sandals, not other shoes period.

My podiatrist had recommended this to me initially but I thought hokas were so ugly and I also love shoes so I didn't think being rigid about only wearing one kind of shoe would work. But it did. 4 years later and I am still following this protocol and I am painfree.

OP here. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Unfortunately I am past the Hokas point. I got my first pair of Hokas 4-5 years ago before they were even trendy, have bought 3 pairs since, and they don’t help me anymore. The toe bed is too narrow. I also never go barefoot and wear orthotic sandals even to go to the bathroom at night. Even with the night splint and all that jazz the pain isn’t improving. It is all the time now. Not just flare ups. Constant.

I tried one session of the electro therapy to the tune of $150. After buying the $200 custom orthotics (which the guy printed with a laser printer in his office). Just all seemed like a big fat scam and money grab.

I do appreciate the reply. I’m glad you’ve found relief and something that works for you. You’re so lucky and I wish my Hokas worked.

[Anonymous]

I found physical therapy to more effective than my podiatrist. I went once a week and was much better in about a month. I also really liked this better than any of the other tools: https://www.amazon.com/ProStretch-Blue-Stretcher-Fasciitis-Tendonitis/dp/B000GAAXGK

Oddly enough, my GYN was the one who told me about Oofos and they really help me. I wear them all the time around the house and I notice a difference. Also a compression sock at night.

But sometimes you do need surgery--it really helped my FIL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only solution was cortisone shots.

OP here. Who does those? What kind of doctor?

[Anonymous]

Amputation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did end up having surgery. The doctor that did mine has moved out of the area though. I had tried everything many times and nothing worked. The doctor agree to do the surgery-a quick snip of the tissue to release it. It was a six week recovery-no weight but it has not bothered me since. Such a relief! If you truly have tried everything, I would see if you can find a doctor who will do it. A quick search of "plantar release surgery" and your area should get you started.

Op here. Thank you. I fear this is where I’m headed. I think it’s also genetic bc multiple women family members have all had similar issues. One female family member has PF so bad that hers actually ruptured on its own. She said it was the worst pain of her life when it happened but then once it healed she hasn’t had issues since.

What kind of doctor does this? I don’t want to go somewhere shady. I just don’t think there are any other alternatives for me at this point bc it’s chronic and getting worse. I have not tried cortisone shots yet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found physical therapy to more effective than my podiatrist. I went once a week and was much better in about a month. I also really liked this better than any of the other tools: https://www.amazon.com/ProStretch-Blue-Stretcher-Fasciitis-Tendonitis/dp/B000GAAXGK

Oddly enough, my GYN was the one who told me about Oofos and they really help me. I wear them all the time around the house and I notice a difference. Also a compression sock at night.

But sometimes you do need surgery--it really helped my FIL.

Op here. Thank you. I actually tried that rocking gadget already (used it under my desk at work during the day, but will try again) and also have the oofos shoes. I have both oofos and hoka recovery slides. I honestly have purchased every possible thing at this point and none of it works. The only thing that seems to temporarily work is wearing the ski boot night splint regularly but even that isn’t helping like it once did and I’m still having pain regularly and constantly.

[Anonymous]

I know this sounds silly, but have you tried a vitamin supplements? My mom had terrible PF for a few years. She started taking vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements for unrelated reasons, and found that the pain just disappeared. I promise I'm not the "essential oils cure everything" kind of person, but it's worth trying.

[Anonymous]

Go see a manual physical therapist. Not someone who puts a hot pack on and sends you to the gym. Someone who will spend 45-60 minutes working on your calf (because plantar fasciitis is a calf problem, despite the referred pain to your foot). Can't give you a NOVA PT, because my PT is in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Have you tried dry needling in the foot?

[Anonymous]

Dry needling in the calf!! It's magical. It cured my plantar fasciitis in two sessions when I'd had horrible pain for two years.