Severe Plantar Facitis- recommendations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Amputation

There's no need to make fun of someone's physical pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

Could you say who your PT is in Bethesda?

Bethesdaphysiocare.com

They all do dry needling as well as manual PT. Heads up, they do not take insurance. But, how much have you already spent on treatments that don't work? They will file your insurance for you, so if you have out-of-network benefits you'll be reimbursed some (I get 80% reimbursed but have excellent health insurance)

[Anonymous]

I recommend seeing an orthopaedist over podiatrist. Dr Sanders did surgery on my foot (after years of PT, shots, boots, etc…) I had PT and a severe bunion and both are totally gone bow

https://www.footankledc.com/providers/our-doctors/163/Thomas_H._Sanders,_M.D.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wanted to thank everyone heartily for all the referrals and recommendations. I have an appointment next week with one of the providers mentioned in the thread, (going to ask for the steroid shot) made an appointment at Airosti physical therapy and am looking into dry needling referral. I am long past the point of crocs and orthotics. I’ve had this since 2019 and have seen three different podiatrists between then and now. None of whom were able to help.

[Anonymous]

So I struggled with this off and on for like 20 years. The way I finally cured mine was I started getting regular physical therapy. They analyzed my walk and strength in my extremities. It turned out my normal walking compensating for a weak hip — from an ancient car accident— was the culprit. Strengthening my hip & learning a slightly new way to walk cured my plantars over the course of several months.

I am sure my experience is not normal though, but I offer it as another alternative. As PT seems less invasive than surgery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the podiatrist offer a shot? I was literally hobbled by this. The night boot helped a bit, but not a lot. The podiatrist offered a steroid shot, I had him give it to me, and I walked out of that office with the pain gone. This was like 15 years ago and it never came back.

I am the poster who said I had plantar fasciitis for two years. First time I had it for one year second time for two years. Anyway, the second time, after having it for about six months I went ahead and got the steroid shot but sadly it didn't work for me as I still had PF for a year and a half after that. What helped me was wearing crocs. I have a pair of indoor crocs that don't go outside so they're always clean and I have a pair of outdoor crocs. I have now graduated because I have not had plantar fasciitis for about two years now. Fingers crossed. So now I wear comfortable shoes that I wear outside, but inside the house. I no longer go barefoot I wear my indoor crocs as soon as I takeoff my outdoor shoes.

Yeah, well, “wearing crocs” wasn’t my solution. A cortisone shot was. I was at the point where I could barely walk, and the podiatrist gave me the shot, and I walked out of there just fine. And the pain never returned. And it’s been 10 years. So, your experience isn’t the only experience.

[Anonymous]

OP will you keep us posted on your progress? I am in a similar situation and would love to see how things go and learn from your experience. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I’m one of the crocs recommenders. The weird thing about PF is what unlocks it for one person doesn’t do a darn thing for someone else. I remember when *multiple* people told me stretching was the sure-fire way to solve it. But stretching didn’t make a dent in my situation. Anyway, OP, wishing you the best, PF is horrible but hopefully you’ll discover something that works and make a 100% recovery.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just started PT this week and did dry needling for the first time. For those of you who have tried this, where did the therapist insert the needle? This PT seems to think that my chronic 6-year-long plantar fasciitis is a result of tight and knotty calves. She felt around my calves and yeaowwwwww!!! Do others have therapists needling their calves for plantar facitis? It was the weirdest sensation and even though she has the needle in my calf I could feel a twinge in my upper heel!

[Anonymous]

I get custom orthotics. I find the ones with the pronounced bump work better for me that the less "intrusive" ones.

The first time it got really bad the podiatrist at the time did I think a laser therapy, maybe it was the one you mentioned. I was shocked it helped and I think it was covered with insurance.

Many years later a different podiatrist didn't have access to that treatment. I made it clear I was not going to wear a boot. She gave me a bunch of exercises, one of which was with w frozen plastic bottle of water. I think I would roll it under the foot back and forth. Another was tip toe walking.She also gave me stretches. I diligently did it all every night. It took over a month, maybe over 2 months, but it worked.

Also I am way more careful about getting new orthotics every year. I will still use the old ones in other shoes, but it's important to have new ones. Also, I am much more careful about buying new sneakers more often and not trying to save money, by waiting until they are completely worn out.

[Anonymous]

For orthotic shoe inserts, check out SOSOrtho in Vienna. (Some reviewers had billing issues, so I just fully paid out of pocket up front.) They will do a custom 3-d foam mold and craft your inserts by hand, and you can bring as many shoes as you like to the fitting to make sure you are really happy. That kind of attention may be worth it to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just started PT this week and did dry needling for the first time. For those of you who have tried this, where did the therapist insert the needle? This PT seems to think that my chronic 6-year-long plantar fasciitis is a result of tight and knotty calves. She felt around my calves and yeaowwwwww!!! Do others have therapists needling their calves for plantar facitis? It was the weirdest sensation and even though she has the needle in my calf I could feel a twinge in my upper heel!

Any updates? I’m having this issue and would like to know what worked for you.

[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.

This - never go barefoot. Mine also got worse when we stayed in vacation rentals with ceramic tile or wooden floors.

[Anonymous]

My doctor told me, when I buy shoes, hold them at each end and bend them in half. If they bend in the middle they will not help. Just the tip of the toe should flex at all. Sounded silly, and people look at you weird when your bending all the shoes but it did help. You do have to give up on cute shoes, but I concluded walking was more important. The cortisone shots did nothing for me.

[Anonymous]

PT. It’s prob coming from further up the leg. You have to do the exercises. It may be a daily thing for you. Get a good hip/glute/leg massage from a sports massage therapist avd acupuncture.