Plantar's fasciitis?

[shelleyd2008]

Anyone else have this? That's what my doctor *thinks* is my problem, and it is killing me! I've had pain in my left foot for quite a long time, but it's just recently (past 6 months or so) gotten unbearable. I'm allergic to naproxen, can't take steroids because they mess up my vision, and the Motrin she put me on (600 mg) made my left foot and arm swell, so I can't take that either. Stretching helps some, but it is a temporary fix only. What else can I do for it?

 

[animalover]

I went to a foot specialist, who fitted me for orthotics and had me do 3 months of physical therapy. He said no walking barefoot, no sandals. Now a year later, I have no pain.

 

[shelleyd2008]

That's what will have to be done, my doctor said if the motrin didn't work she'd send me to a specialist. The motrin helped until it started making me swell. I need to see my doctor again, cause it's not getting any better

 

[Olive Hill]

Wearing good, supportive shoes with extra arch support if you need it all day every day does make a difference.

Aside from that and the anti-inflammatories you can't take, you can try wrapping and icing your feet at night. Flex your foot and then wrap it snug but not too tight with an ace bandage or vet wrap. Start at the heel and wrap down the foot, keeping it flexed. When you get to the toes extend the ace bandage up and wrap it around your calf, keeping it taut so that the ace bandage holds your foot in a flexed position, keeping your toes towards your shin. Then, use towels to keep ice on them while you sleep as well. This prevents the shortening and inflammation that causes the pain from setting in overnight.

 

[redhen]

What exactly is that? Where is the foot pain at?
My HEELS kill me all the time! But i'm guessing its cause i'm fat...

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Plantar Fascitis is common. I got mine from wearing some old comfy shoes too often. I believe it stems from heel spurs but don't quote me on that.

However, I bought some expensive Dansko shoes (ended up being worth every penny) and along with the stretching exercises was able to get relief. It took over 6 months before I actually didn't feel pain anymore.

The other trick I used was to freeze a few cans of peas. I would take one out of the freezer and roll my foot over the frozen can using it both to stretch the ligaments and ice it at the same time.

You can refreeze it over and over and over.... Ginger root and turmeric are natural anti inflamatories. I prefer ginger.

 

[MrsStephan]

I had it. Cleared it up for a few years and am now having trouble again. I freeze a small water bottle and roll that with my foot for stretching and icing. I also found that wearing shoes with some heel, maybe 1 - 1 1/2 inches helps, I was wearing flat sandals when the trouble started again.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yes good shoes are a must. Doctors typically recommend Danskos or orthodics. If I wear my "cute" shoes or sandals too much then I can feel the pain starting.

So most of the time I wear the Danskos and then wear the fashionables when the mood strikes. Stretch your calf muscles. If you stand on stairs with the balls of your feet on the stairs and heels hanging off, slowly lower yourself until you can feel that stretch. Don't over do it but hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds to realease the myofascial tissue. Longer is even better, but again don't over do it. Do it more often rather than harder.

 

[paddock36]

I supposedly have this too. I went to the podiatrist twice, got x-rays, orthotics, heel cups, cortizone shots, and the pain always returned. Then I read an article about the "Crocks" shoes that everyone was wearing and how they really helped people with foot problems. So I bought a pair and after a short time I have no more foot pain. Later my husband starting complaining about his feet so we bought him a pair and no more problems. We also figured out that the pain started after we took out the carpet and put tile in our house.

 

[StupidBird]

After years and years of foot pain (also back pain, knee pain, mystery pain, sciatia, big toe continually turning purple) I got various "diagnosis" from plantar fascilitus to pinched nerve to arthritic changes.
First help - BIL chiro and custom shoe inserts. I stood on a special foam thingie and it was sent off to mold custom padded inserts. If I didn't wear them = foot pain. Also only shoes with very little to no heel.
Second help - support stockings in the medium to medium high range of support. Also a biggie, and I can tell quickly if I skip.

After this, I was able to gradually take up walking again, also a month intense work with a local chiroprater and very specialized exercises - ones so gentle I had to really work hard to overdo.

Now I've been slacking on all the above and I'm hurting again. I'm such an idiot about this.