Plantar Fasciitis

[sugarhead]

Have got pain on the sole of my right foot since a couple of months and it starts on my left sole as well. The company doctor told me I'm suffering from plantar fasciitis, quite common in middle aged people. He also advised that except for long term medication and pain killers, there's not much I could do about it.

I'm not intending to take medication for months, so is there anybody out there who could tell me if there's any other treatment for this condition ?

[farangene]

...I'm not intending to take medication for months, so is there anybody out there who could tell me if there's any other treatment for this condition ?

Had that a few years ago!! The Bumr. MD told me that losing a few pounds would help but no meds prescribed and no other treatment suggested.

A chinese herb dr said to rub or scrape the side of a small sauce bowl against the point in the sole where it hurt most. I thought it was dumb but it made the pain go away after awhile.

Best thing to do is wait 6 wks as that is how long it takes for it to heal itself. I remember my foot being so sore that I didn't even want to walk a block or three and would take a taxi.

good luck.

[junkofdavid2]

I had that!

It was "cured" by simply buying "orthotic" insoles and putting them inside my shoes before wearing them.

Orthotic insoles are insoles which are hard (don't bend).

I was amazed at how well they work!

I dunno where to buy them here though... I bought mine in HK.

Try googling it so that you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Cheers!

[Mobi]

Been there , was diagnosed with it several years ago and saw some top Harley street specialists, who did all the relevant x-rays to confirm the condition.

An injection of steroids into the heel (very painful) will provide relief for several months. I did this a few times, and you can get it done in Thialand.

As others have posted, a more permanent solution is stretching exercises and orthodontic insoles.

I used to read and listen for any advice on this condition and one day I read about a 'beat' policeman who developed this problem in middle age, and he swore blind that stretching the Achilles heel by facing and standing on the step of a staircase, or even standing in the road with the top part of the foot resting upwards on the kerb or stair,will produce very good results. I tried it and got instant relief. This was at least ten years ago.It is the tightening of the Achilles heel that is the main cause of the pain, and after I found the cure - I was able to jog regularly for many years without any problem.These days I just walk and swim, and very occasionally, if I am not careful with my foot wear and do a lot of walking, I get the old twinges of pain; then I do the 'stair' stretching for a just a few minutes, and the pain will disappear for months.

Good luck.

[bobbin]

As others have posted, a more permanent solution is stretching exercises and orthodontic insoles.

I used to read and listen for any advice on this condition and one day I read about a 'beat' policeman who developed this problem in middle age, and he swore blind that stretching the Achilles heel by facing and standing on the step of a staircase, or even standing in the road with the top part of the foot resting upwards on the kerb or stair,will produce very good results. I tried it and got instant relief. This was at least ten years ago.It is the tightening of the Achilles heel that is the main cause of the pain, and after I found the cure - I was able to jog regularly for many years without any problem.These days I just walk and swim, and very occasionally, if I am not careful with my foot wear and do a lot of walking, I get the old twinges of pain; then I do the 'stair' stretching for a just a few minutes, and the pain will disappear for months.

Good luck.

This was true for me as well. After a couple of episodes in 2-3 years, I was ready to go the orthotic route. When I called to make an appointment at a local orthotic specialist, the nurse asked for some history first. When I explained the problem , she suggested using a bath towel (or similar) placed on the ball of the affected foot and held in both hands to gently stretch the Achilles tendons. She said that she suggested this to all potential new patients and that it seemed to be effective for up to 50% of those who called. It was for me. And like Mobi, when I overdue the walking (2+ golf games per week) and feel the pain coming, I do the stretching a few times over the following days and so far have escaped a recurrence. It was no fun to be crippled the first 20 minutes after getting out of bed every day.

[TIPSYBOB]

Have got pain on the sole of my right foot since a couple of months and it starts on my left sole as well. The company doctor told me I'm suffering from plantar fasciitis, quite common in middle aged people. He also advised that except for long term medication and pain killers, there's not much I could do about it.

I'm not intending to take medication for months, so is there anybody out there who could tell me if there's any other treatment for this condition ?

I had ther same problem a couple of years ago. I too am not a pill fanatic. My doctor recommended ARCOXIA. I took the pill twice daily for 2 days and the pain disappeared. Never had problem since. ARCOXIA is available over the counter, at least in Thailand.

Hope this help.

[Cobalt60]

Another sufferer here, or I was. Went to Boots the chemist, after not much joy from the quack, bought the most expensive inserts for the shoes, (not the gel ones)job done.

This is such a painfull problem, most people dont understand how flipping bad it can be.

[cathyy]

I have the kind of foot with an unusually high arch and instep that is prone to develop plantar fasciitis even without a tight Achilles tendon. Mine got so very bad I developed bone spurs on my heels. If you think plantar fasciitis is no fun, try bone spurs. I have professional orthotics, not something I can buy in a pharmacy, and have had for over 20 years. Obviously not the same orthotics the whole time. I have had them made of a rigid plastic and my newest ones are made of graphite. They work best when custom fitted by a specialist and made for you alone. They are, as already mentioned, completely inflexible so the arch is always supported. Fixes up the foot in a matter of days and lets it heal properly without any stress on it.

[sugarhead]

Thanks to all for the helpful hints. Will give the non-drugs treatments a try first.

[Mobi]

I have the kind of foot with an unusually high arch and instep that is prone to develop plantar fasciitis even without a tight Achilles tendon. Mine got so very bad I developed bone spurs on my heels. If you think plantar fasciitis is no fun, try bone spurs. I have professional orthotics, not something I can buy in a pharmacy, and have had for over 20 years. Obviously not the same orthotics the whole time. I have had them made of a rigid plastic and my newest ones are made of graphite. They work best when custom fitted by a specialist and made for you alone. They are, as already mentioned, completely inflexible so the arch is always supported. Fixes up the foot in a matter of days and lets it heal properly without any stress on it.

Just to confirm that I also had bone spurs - and yes, it was so painful I couldn't walk. The first time I had it I was in Thailand and had no idea what was wrong - but I was in agony. I went to the local hospital, and the doc injected steroids into my heels - and the pain nearly killed me, but within 24 hours it was much better.

Back in the UK I consulted specialists, who confirmed the bone spurs etc, gave me further steroid injections (using 'locals' to numb the pain), which brought temporary relief, and finally I was referred to an expert who made me orthodontic inserts and taught me a lot of stretching exercises, all of which I did for a while, and I wore the inserts for years.

But these days I just do the 'step' stretching, and try to have proper support for my feet if I'm going to do a lot of walking. Decent, athletic trainers designed for joggers or heavy walkers, and good solid shoes and socks.

The 'step' stretching really works - you can actually feel your Achilles loosening up as you stretch, and the pain disappearing.

Try it, you won't be disappointed.

[RogerL]

I had the problem, too and podiatrist said it was common with overweight, middle aged people who are on their feet a lot. She wanted to do shots and sell me expensive, custom made orthodics.

I went home and spent some time googling "plantar fasciitis" and "heel spurs". Learned a lot. I decided to buy a special boot that you wear when sleeping or relaxing. It stretches the achilles tendon. I think it was around $60, but much cheaper than custom-made orthodics. The boot was cumbersome and very difficult to walk in -- even for a short walk in the house. But, I'm a sound sleeper and don't toss-and-turn in bed. I got total relief the very first night I wore it.

So, I invested in a second boot and wore them every night for about two weeks. Then I found I had to wear them only if I'd been on my feet a lot over the course of several days.

At this same time, I was having some problems with my back and seeing a chiropractor regularly. He was able to help with the foot, too.

At some point, I noticed that everyone sitting in the waiting room at the podiatrist, chiropractor and at my internist was overweight. Something inside my head clicked and I took up Weight Watchers, attending meetings regularly and following their program to the letter. I lost 60 pounds in 8 months and have kept it off for two years. No more plantar fascitiis, bad back, pre-diabetes, acid reflux, etc. I feel years younger.

Husband and I will retire to Chiang Mai next year. I can't find any mention of Weight Watchers in Chiang Mai, so I hope I can still keep the weight off. -----Mrs. RogerL

[VocalNeal]

Have got pain on the sole of my right foot since a couple of months and it starts on my left sole as well. The company doctor told me I'm suffering from plantar fasciitis, quite common in middle aged people. He also advised that except for long term medication and pain killers, there's not much I could do about it.

I'm not intending to take medication for months, so is there anybody out there who could tell me if there's any other treatment for this condition ?

I had it once when I started training for a marathon. A change of running shoes, some minor physio ( to keep the therapist in beer?) and a thing called a Count"R Force gizmo that fits under ones foot. I still have my original which I bought in Vancouver but one could buy from LOS on Internet.

I checked their site and they now have a The Plantar Fasciitis Care Package Kit they also still sell the Original brace Brace

[henryjoensen]

There is a orthotist that can will cast your feet and make custom made foot supports for foot problems .

You can find the foot care centre on the internet under footcontol .net.

Good luck

[paulfr]

In my mid 50's I was playing tennis 4 hours a day and developed PF.

In the morning I could not walk for almost 5 minutes.

I had to stay off the court for 3 weeks to get the pain to subside.

Stretching helped but was not a cure for me.

I tried the hard orthodics and they did not work for me.

Since then I buy tennis shoes 2 sizes larger than my size and put

several Dr Schols pads or equivalents in there and it feels like I walk on air.

It allows the foot to flex as it would like.

Have not had any pain in years.

Edited October 1, 2007 by paulfr

[sonicdragon]

I suffered with plantar fascitis off and on for a few years, but have had it completely under control for the last year with a regimen of:

1. Stretching the achilles tendon and calf muscles 3-4 times daily for 5 mins. It's better if you can have a physiotherapist, sports therapist, podiatrist or other knowledgable practioner show you the best way to stretch for you, as each person is different. When exercising it is very important to stretch the achilles before, after and again maybe an hour later. Actually, I am now in the habit of stretching my achilles almost constantly whenever I am sat down.

2. Wearing proper-fitting shoes, with arch support, and a cushioned heel.

3. Wearing arch supports in all my shoes (I have slightly high arches so even shoes that have built in support need a bit extra for me). Nothing fancy, just the ones you can buy off the shelf.

4. Keeping my weight down. This should be self explanatory.

As I started this regimen I sometimes had constant pain. I found that I had to get the inflammation down first which basically means resting as much as possible. Once it becomes something that just flares up from time to time it's much easier to manege. I run quite a lot, and that doesn't help the problem. I found that I became extremely sensitive to the feeling in my feet and could sense a flare-up just as it begun, in which case I would immediately take some paracetamol or naproxen and typically that would stop it in its tracks. As mentioned for the last year or so I haven't had any problem.