ANyone fighting plantar fisciitis?

[Jabba]

I have had a couple bad events of it over the last week and a half.  I have been on and off crutches a couple times.  Man... it HURTS. 

I just wonder what other guys are doing to help with it.

The Dr. told me Aleve, and rest.  I don't rest so good.  I went to the Godd Feet Store yesterday and they got me for $588.  HOLY CRAP!  I sure hope they help.

Anyone else?

Jabba

[Chrome]

Hi Jabba Yup Have had it a couple of times now. I  started to wear shoes(boots) with a steel shank all the time. I found that leg stretching in the morning before I got up helped but probably the the best thing I did was to get a couple of tennis balls.While sitting down in front of the computer or watching TV,I would roll these tennis balls with my feet.I thing it's all about stretching.
Hope this helps Adrian(Chrome)V

[DFragn]

No, but something similar "heel spurs". Mine are 1.25" & 2". I was told they were caused by spending too much time [years] standing on ladders. I don't do that any more, but they still bother me from time to time. Feels like a 6" blade is being stuck in there. I took cortisone injections for awhile, but too much of a good thing is bad! My eyes used to well up when I had to walk the dog - no choice! I opted out of surgery because they would provide no guarantee's. It took a few years for the pain to dissipate, but it doesn't take much to reaggravate them. Walking in my riding boots quickly bring the agony back.

I imagine the best you can do is stay off your feet if you can. Maybe different footwear or custom orthopedic arch supports would help.
Good Luck.

[Rowdy]

 ???  Not sure - I certainly have had problems with my toes if I'm standing for very long - been to the VA and they have been giving me all sorts of tests for everything but what I have a concern about   
They did take an x-ray but I have not herd anything yet 

I had a friend recomend that I drink tonic water ??  I've been trying that  Another suggested I drink more water  and another recomended the exercise I had seen someone else mention but using a golf ball  ???   I'm willing to try anything at this point

Good luck - if you find a remedy let me know 

[QOTFU]

My Dr told me that the #1 cause for plantar fisciitis is flip-flops. Also, get cans of frozen juice and roll them under your foot.

[fast black]

Yep, I feel your pain.  I went to foot specialist, was going to take shots,  etc, etc,  What worked for  me was a procuct called Wakfit.  If I don't use these inside of my shoes I get problems.  This is the best thing I have found.
adios
fast black

[Normandog]

Had if for years. The only thing I've found that helps is similar to what others have said here. I don't roll anything with my feet but I do stetch my toes back toward my shins. Good luck.

[clintsdivco]

I was plagued with that for several years.  I would get it straightend up with stretching excercises but it would come back in about six months.  I finally went to the VA and they fitted me with custom arches.  It took a couple of weeks to get better but I have not had a single incident since then.  That was 5-6 years ago.  I put the arches in whatever shoes or boots I wear now.

Clint

[Sharkey]

Jabba
Im a big boy around 300lbs so my feet take a beating. I replace my shoes well before they wear out, and always wear shoes, even around the house. Those two things helped me. The goodfeet store has some good arch supports, that should help big time. It will take some time to heal up though.

[Jabba]

I am 6'-2" and about 325.  I am also very active.  I hurt it the first time playing racquetball a week ago thursday.  Then it got better and I thought it was a fluke... I was at the gym, did 30 minutes of cardio, then lifted a little, then played Bball for about 45 minutes when it hit me again!  Coming down from a rebound... and my foot popped and I was crippled again.  That was Thursday.  I am off crutches again now, and I think the inserts are helping... but like you said... it takes a while.  My one foot is still VERY sore, but at least I can walk. 

Hopefully I'll be back in the gym this week, but I am gonna lay off the racquetball and BBall for a couple weeks.

rolling frozen juice cans under the arch... HRM. 

Side note... I have really high arches, and when I took the ink print test at Good Feet, my impressions were ALMOST what they consider the perfect foot.  That's FUNNY IMO.

Jabba

[Madmike]

I have had a couple bad events of it over the last week and a half.  I have been on and off crutches a couple times.  Man... it HURTS.  

I just wonder what other guys are doing to help with it.

The Dr. told me Aleve, and rest.  I don't rest so good.  I went to the Godd Feet Store yesterday and they got me for $588.  HOLY CRAP!  I sure hope they help.

Anyone else?

Jabba

Seems to be a common problem amongst them that's about 6 feet tall and about 300 or so pounds.....

I have had several pairs of custom orthotics over the past 15 years or so years.   I had customs that were made on a fancy milling machine from a computer generated drawing(about $300 a pair), and ones that were handbuilt from a mold made from hand formed casts of my feet - they were about $400 a pop, and ones that were made from a mold created by stepping in some boxes that had a soft riigid foam in them and it crushed to make the mold of your feet at about $375 a pair.  The most comfortable customs were the hand casted ones - at the time I was spending a lot of time walking on "skywalk" grating.

Last thing I did was go to "Work wear world" (in Canada) and get some "off the shelf ones" that you put in the oven at low temp for several minutes then take them out and put in your boots and put your foot in and stand while they cool off and form to your foot.  These cost about $40 a pair and seem to work fine but by the time I used them I was well over the worst of the pain in the arches of my feet.  When I first got the orthotics it would take me about 15 minutes to get walking in the morning and had pain for about half an hour.

I believe in good work boots but usually wear cheap runners when I don't have boots on and have had slip in supports that I use in runners after I pull the padding out of them.

I used to feel your pain..........and sympathize......

[Madmike]

My Dr told me that the #1 cause for plantar fisciitis is flip-flops. Also, get cans of frozen juice and roll them under your foot.

Only problem is the cost of all the vodka you need to consume all them cans of thawed out orange juice...............

[PAVALKER]

I had a few bad episodes, nothing like crutches tho.  I have done a few exercises now and then but like you I went to the Good Feet Store and got a set of insoles that really help.  Staying off the feet helps too.  After paying thru the nose for those plastic insoles, I noticed a similar item at Bed Bath and Beyond, which has adjustable inserts as well.  But I am happy with my insoles...

[fast black]

I can't spell.  They are called Walkfit, not Wakfit. 
sorry,
fast black

[Novavalker]

Get orthotics and your plantar fasciitis will be a thing of the past. I haven't had a problem since getting custom insoles.

[Jeff K]

  I went to the Good Feet Store yesterday and they got me for $588.  HOLY CRAP!  I sure hope they help.

Anyone else?

Jabba

I was going to go to the Good Feet store, but I googled them and found a LOT of bad opinions. A lot.

[catfish]

have it in both my feet.  I use a rolling pin, use it when I sit down and roll my foot.  I bought z coil tennis shoes, no problomo feet are happy.  I also found that when I use the belt from my robe and put it at the balls of my foot and pull forward it helps.

[Jess from VA]

I've had sore feet most of my adult life when standing/working all day.  But what is worse is I have chronic achilles tendinitis (both).

I found this little personal ultrasound called Sonic Relief, and when used often and as instructed, I get great relief from pain.  It actually heals the inflammation, and doesn't just treat the symptoms.  It looks kind of cheapo plastic, and it does not heat or vibrate, so when you use it you wonder if it is doing anything, but hitting my achilles, each, three times ten minutes,  gives great improvement (the problem is finding the time to sit and do it).  It is good for many problem areas, but not so much for the knee because of the patella (trouble penetrating thick knee cap bone).  I have also used it on my low back, and it helps but will not cure bulging disks.  It is best for soft tissue injury.  You must use the conductive gel (order an extra bottle besides the little sample that comes with the machine).  When I got it you could only get it from Canada and steep ($225+).  It is not  cheap, but best price is usually on Amazon. Look around.  Also there are several different makers of personal untrasounds (like LG Med Supply), I cannot speak to any of them but the Sonic Relief.

http://www.sonicrelief.com/
http://www.sonicrelief.com/reviews/?keyword=Plantar%20Fasciitis
http://www.amazon.com/Sonic-Relief-Portable-Ultrasound-Device/dp/B000IVEW96/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1252881324&sr=8-1

This getting old sh!t just gets better and better...............

Edit: my arches are fine, so I dont' need orthotics, but I use Spenco Polysorb insoles in every shoe, boot, and slipper I own.  They started out with only two or three, now have a bunch.  They all are good, and better than any other I tried.  On-line way cheaper than stores.  I take a new pair with me when I buy shoes, and replace the cheapos in the shoes to get a proper fit.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=polysorb+spenco&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3559645317&ref=pd_sl_6xh7p1wsnc_b

[Big Rig]

I had that....pain in the arches....I got orthodics at the local pharmacy (CVS) and have been happy as a clam ever since...continue with the stretches....they only help...


Best of luck and welcome to the club...apparently 

[Valker]

Yep, orthotic insoles fixed mine in a couple of days. it comes back if I go without for a couple of weeks. I had my Chiropractor order mine, but over the counter ones seem to work also.

[Merle]

Roll a golf ball under your foot every morning before you get up and every night before you go to bed and don't be gentle with it.   not a cure but it will help.

[Jack]

I suffered from it for over 5 years.  I worked standing on concrete all day for over 35 years and bought whatever shoes were on sale.  When the pain became impossible, I went to different foot specialist and received shots which hurt like Hades.  I spent many dollars on shoe liners and shoes with built in supports.  I finally went and had my feet sized by a shoe salesman at Top's Shoes here in Benton and he suggested I go to New Balance #843 shoes.  Within a week, my pain was gone.  I now have had several pairs of New Balance and have not had one day of discomfort since.  It may just have been a problem with properly sized shoes but I'm sold.

[sugerbear]

new balance for me for the last 10-12 years.
just find the right number shoe and stick with it.

[Brad]

I have custom orthotics which were made from plaster casts of my feet (did not want to spend the money but it was worth it).  I wear Red Wings that have room for the orthotics.  It is hard to find boots which have room for the orthotics.  Also stretching in the morning and before bed at night has helped a lot too.  Whenever I get pain during the day I also stretch again.  It helps a lot.  Not pain free but it is bearable.  Also never wear footwear without proper support.

[Jabba]

I wear New Balance shoes... but I never thought abou the numbers before.  The pair I have now are 621's.  Essentially running shoes, but I do NOT run.

I have an awful bruise on my heel right now.  It's all purple and ugly.  The orthodics feel pretty good on the uninjured side, but are a little painful on the hurt side still.  I am wearing them just a couple hours a day per the instruction from the store.  Building up my time with them as I get used to them.  I have 3 pairs in different levels of aggressiveness.    I am looking forward to feeling a little bit more normal, as I have been essentially, crippled for almost two weeks now.


Jabba

[ThreeAces97]

Jabba,    I have had two lengthy bouts with the Plantar Fasciitis.    The second round was accompanied with a heal spur.   Numerous visits to the foot doctor and 8 months of wearing the night brace ( http://www.alimed.com/Alimed/product/AliMedreg-Pediatric-Classic-Night-Splint,17238,250.htm ) resolved the Plantar Fasciitis.   The heal spur still exists and the only way it will go away is with surgery.   I have run the gammit on orthotics and have now been wearing the Phase 4 orthotic (now known as WalkFit ...  http://www.walkfit.com/?src=affiliate&aid=14630&subid=Main&gclid=CIKg_pzL05ICFQY_agodpX3RGQ  ).   They run about 30 bucks with S&H and I can not walk comfortably without them.  Barefoot, out of the question.    The WalFit orthotics have been a life saver in regards to being able to work and do activities that I normally couldn't do.    All the orthotics worked on lessening the pain of the Plantar Fasciitis, but did not alleviate the heel pain.   The Walkfit's, eliminated the heel pain with out having heel spur gone.

Surgery is an option, but I am told the liklihood of another heal spur is greater.   Good Luck

[RedValk]

when i got it REAL bad....i went to the foot specialist...and the following fixed mine:

got two shots....spread over about 30 days...in the offending heal. Cortisone shots. BIG relief!
took ibuprofin during that time. Again, the shots, and the ibuprofin...are to reduce the inflammation

third thing, was to get (and wear) the right shoes. He recommended wearing my Harley boots (he is a fellow biker)...as often as possible (some will remember me wearing my Harley boots with my shorts at past IZs....and you thought i was trying to make a fashion statement?). he recommended New Balance 600 cross training series shoes.

once i got that second cortisone shot...and religiously wear GOOD shoes (like the Harley boots and New Balance shoes)...that give good/proper support, i've never had any more problems. I used to buy cheap tennis shoes at Wally World...and would wear them all the time. Not any more.......

it took months to get my foot pain gone. BUt i'll never take a chance again with cheap shoes.....

[Dodis]

I agree on lots of the points made, having a few bouts myself. I already had the custom orthotics for my flat (fat) feet. What helps me the most when it flares up are the calf and hamstring stretches. If it gets bad enough, I use the night splint too, to keep my foot at a 90 degree angle. I found it easier to do the calf stretches if you have a boot puller, the wooden type with a v-notch in the top, it's like standing on a wedge, then you don't need a wall to lean against. And, of course, the obligatory New Balance shoes, preferably 609's when I can find them.

Per my Dr., working at a computer all day gives time for my muscles to tighten (shorten) a bit which strains the plantar facitis tendons when walking. Not that flat feet and 5'-9" at 310 lbs helps any!

Mike

[Ken Tarver]

bought new shoes and boots.

wore ortho boot over a year....every time tried to get out of boot, pain start all over again. and slept in it.

i knew the good feet insoles were very pricy.

ordered the $20 walk fit insoles (2 pair), wear 'em all the time. don't go bear foot much anymore.

NO PAIN NOW!!!

[Cleaner Man]

I actually used a cane for almost a year (I was 32 at the time!).  I tried special (read "expensive") orthotic insoles and about every thing else I could find.  My problem was the fisciitis, and also bone spurs.  The two problems are sometimes simultaneous.
DO NOT LET YOUR DOCTOR GIVE YOU CORTISONE SHOTS IN THE HEALS!  Something about that long needle going into very painful heels that didn't feel so good.  For a brief moment i wanted to give my doctor that same exam that he has given me several times...but I was going to use my foot instead of a "digit".
Anyway- I spent a week on a ladder staining the log siding on my house.  I realized around Wednesday that my feet actually felt pretty good, and by the time my staining was done my fisciitis was 100% gone.
I WAS HEALED!  That was 8 years ago.
I asked the doctor and my daughter (Doctor-Physical Therapy), and they both said that i stretched out the tendon to the point where it needed to be.
As already mentioned, I do still some calf muscle stretches about once a week.  Good Luck.

[RedValk]

two things/obeservations:

1. interesting how many doctors/folks recommend the New Balance 600 series of shoes....there MUST be something to that! (worked for me, by the way...STILL wear them religiously to this day!)

2. when i got those two cortisone shots, they worked TREMENDOUSLY. and, there was almost ZERO pain getting the shot. First, they use some "shot"...a device that clicks...and injects small amounts of something to deaden the area. THEN....after that, he gave me the cortisone shot. again, almost ZERO pain getting those injections...and TREMENDOUS relief IMMEDIATELY after. he said it could take up to three in a series (and i think you can only get three in a year?)...but for me, after two and the right shoes and the Ibuprofin....i was cured in a short period of time! (after MONTHS of pain...almost couldn't walk!)

i recommend both of the above......IF.......your Doctor says to do it..........

[Jack]

two things/obeservations:

1. interesting how many doctors/folks recommend the New Balance 600 series of shoes....there MUST be something to that! (worked for me, by the way...STILL wear them religiously to this day!)

2. when i got those two cortisone shots, they worked TREMENDOUSLY. and, there was almost ZERO pain getting the shot. First, they use some "shot"...a device that clicks...and injects small amounts of something to deaden the area. THEN....after that, he gave me the cortisone shot. again, almost ZERO pain getting those injections...and TREMENDOUS relief IMMEDIATELY after. he said it could take up to three in a series (and i think you can only get three in a year?)...but for me, after two and the right shoes and the Ibuprofin....i was cured in a short period of time! (after MONTHS of pain...almost couldn't walk!)




I recommend both of the above......IF.......your Doctor says to do it..........

I'm glad those shots did not hurt you but they about killed me.  I told the doc we need him in Iraq to make the terrorist talk.  He did not think that was funny.  I am thrilled I no longer need them.

[Piper]

Have/had it. Tried all the tricks and nothing worked. Vet shot/strapped/braced charged me mongo $$$. Still could not walk in the morning. Root cause was a broken foot back in '84 that never healed up correctly. Re-injured it acting half my age and half my weight.
Had the surgery. Vet cut the tendon and ground off the bone spurs on the heal that caused the damage to the tendon.
I now walk with a limp. The tired I get, the more pronounced the limp. I _have_ to wear lace up shoes/boots and I use the walkfit inserts also.

The up side is that I can walk and even jog a bit (that sounds too much like exercise to me).
I do not fall on my face when I get up in the middle of the night to answer the call of nature.
Laugh if you will, if you have been there you know of what I speak. Mornings were a royal pain.

Down side is that I have issues with stairs. Stairs cause you to put your weight on the ball of your foot. A couple of flights of stairs can cause trouble for the rest of the day. Ladders, stirrups, and a few other things are a pain in the foot. A GOOD over the ankle steel shank laceup boot with an insert is a good thing.

One of these days I will find a way to carry me sheleighly with me on the scooter.