plantar fascitis

[Anonymous]

Had it several years ago. Steroid injection directly into heel finally resolved it. Shot itself was incredibly painful, as it takes a horse needle to get through heel skin, but it worked wonders after time and other remedies failed.

[Anonymous]

Are you overweight? I had to lose some weight to get it to stop.

Also do this: spell out your ABC's with each foot. Do it also before getting out of bed, to warm up the heel.

[Anonymous]

I bought a splint for night at a pharmacy. It was less than $25 and not very bulky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check out http://www.heelthatpain.com I got heel cushions for my shoes that have worked wonders, plus a little boot that I wear to sleep. I've also made an effort to stretch (rolling my foot over a tennis ball is the best one for me), and I always wear shoes, even inside our home, which I didn't use to do. Crocs work well for that.

I've also started running in very cushy shoes and save the light ones for racing.

My heel pain flared up mid-November, and I treated it very aggressively. It still aches at times, but I can still run and walk as usual. I think they can take a long time to get better if you don't treat them.

OP: Just wanted to thank you for the heel cushion suggestion. They just arrived and it's the first time I can kind of walk in 10 days. Hoping they relieve the pressure enough that my foot can heel quickly.

One other tip to share: My heel has hurt alot when I drive (it all started after a long drive). I read somewhere to raise the seat of the car as much as possible to relieve the pressure on your heel while you drive. Has helped alot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my heel has been hurting for several days. fits the description of plantar fascitis pretty well so i assume that's what it is. been limping for 5 days now, doesn't seem particularly better. trying ice today, can't really find any shoes that are ok.

how long does this usually take to get better?

Took me a few months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check out http://www.heelthatpain.com I got heel cushions for my shoes that have worked wonders, plus a little boot that I wear to sleep. I've also made an effort to stretch (rolling my foot over a tennis ball is the best one for me), and I always wear shoes, even inside our home, which I didn't use to do. Crocs work well for that.

I've also started running in very cushy shoes and save the light ones for racing.

My heel pain flared up mid-November, and I treated it very aggressively. It still aches at times, but I can still run and walk as usual. I think they can take a long time to get better if you don't treat them.

OP: Just wanted to thank you for the heel cushion suggestion. They just arrived and it's the first time I can kind of walk in 10 days. Hoping they relieve the pressure enough that my foot can heel quickly.

One other tip to share: My heel has hurt alot when I drive (it all started after a long drive). I read somewhere to raise the seat of the car as much as possible to relieve the pressure on your heel while you drive. Has helped alot!

So glad to hear the heel cushions are helping! I'm finding that I need to be diligent about wearing them every time I leave the house. I wear Crocs indoors and those are supportive enough. I've taken a few walks without the cushions and feel the pain creeping back.

And good to know about the driving! Who'd have thought?

Hope you're all better soon!

[Anonymous]

Footsmart catalogue carries a number of devices you wear at night to keep your feet at a 90 degree angle. Most podiatrists, howver, will go immediately with custom-made orthotics to correct your foot. What is happening is that you are aging and as we all do, the arch begins to fall and stretch out. The orthotics (if done properly) should correct the problem by providing arch support during the day. I have had orthotics for athletic shoes as well as a different slimmer type for dress shoes for decades. The orthotics took care of my problem so I never purchased the sleeping devices but there are many in that catalogue to choose from.

Warm ups before getting out of bed are critical. Also, after you get out of bed, lean into a wall and fully stretch out both achilles tendons, so you now have your ankles at a tighter angle than 90 degrees. My children also have professionally-made orthotics - not covered by insurance - but still absolutely necessary for sports, running, daily wear and to keep mild scoliosis under control. Finally, read up on plantar faciatis in wikipedia so you understand what is happening - it's not the heel that is experiencing the pain - it is the arch tendons of the food that affix to the heel that are in trouble. Hence the need of the arch support because the tendons are telling you that they are under stress I have never had the cortisone shot in the area affected by plantar faciatis - where the arch tendons affix to the heel, but I have had them between the toes and for hallux rigidus (frozen toe). They are excruciating but can work wonders. However, you don't want to do it frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What helped the most: ... birkenstock sandals instead of slippers or being barefoot, and stretches.

My recent bout with plantar fasciitis resolved in about 5 months. Birkenstock sandals -- softbed Arizona style -- are critical. They are my in-house "slipper" still today. Couldn't do without them -- I replenish when the online shoe stores run their clearances and slash prices on odd colors. Stretches -- absolutely. Finally, after toughing it out for the first two months, I took a hiatus from aerobics (Jazzercise) and treadmill type exercise, switching to cross trainer/elliipticals, swimming. Saw my podiatrist, who offered but did not encourage cortisone shots, and I did not take the shots.

[Anonymous]

Plantar fasciitis can become an ongoing, chronic problem if not treated appropriately. Typically it is very painful with the first few steps in the morning and following rest.

Anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naprosyn can help to relieve the inflammation of the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues. New running shoes can improve cushioning of the heel. Gentle calf stretching can also relieve the pull of the plantar fascia.

If these conservative measures do not help, you should see your local podiatrist who may recommend orthotics, prescription strength medication or a cortisone injection.

In my Toronto Ontario podiatry office I also offer extracorporeal shockwave for people who do not want to take pills or have injections. It is a very effective sound wave treatment which does not have the side effects associated with pills, cortisone and surgery and can even help someone who has been suffering for years with heel pain due to plantar fasciitis.

For more information please go to http://www.footcare.net/shock-wave-therapy.html

Sheldon NadalD.P.M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plantar fasciitis can become an ongoing, chronic problem if not treated appropriately. Typically it is very painful with the first few steps in the morning and following rest.

Anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naprosyn can help to relieve the inflammation of the plantar fascia and surrounding tissues. New running shoes can improve cushioning of the heel. Gentle calf stretching can also relieve the pull of the plantar fascia.

If these conservative measures do not help, you should see your local podiatrist who may recommend orthotics, prescription strength medication or a cortisone injection.

In my Toronto Ontario podiatry office I also offer extracorporeal shockwave for people who do not want to take pills or have injections. It is a very effective sound wave treatment which does not have the side effects associated with pills, cortisone and surgery and can even help someone who has been suffering for years with heel pain due to plantar fasciitis.

For more information please go to http://www.footcare.net/shock-wave-therapy.html

Sheldon Nadal D.P.M.

[Anonymous]

I had this a few years ago and couldn't get rid of it - went to many doctors, physical therapy, etc.

What worked for me - get comfy, supportive sneakers, and wear them ALL THE TIME. No heals, flats, flip flops, etc. I know this can be hard with work, but tell them it is part of your treatment!

I did this for about three weeks, and it has never flared up again.

[Anonymous]

i got it because of my cholesterol pills when i stopped them it stopped also as we get older it may happen, i buy my shoes at comfort shoe one, comfy, also weight affects feet, arthritis

[Anonymous]

Freeze a half liter water bottle and then roll it under your foot, putting a good amount of pressure on it. You can also try with a golf ball. It will be painful but it works.

A good stretch is to do the typical calf stretch but point your foot (the one in the back) in toward the other foot. You will feel this in your arch. Do it a lot.

Good luck!