Plantars Faciitis

I "felt your pain." I, too, was (am) a victim of PF. As a matter of fact, I had it off and on for several years. I went through the "800mg Motrin" phase; the "shoe inserts" phase; the "physical therapy" phase; the "taping the foot" phase and in the end...the "cortisone shot in the heel" phase--3 times . Knock on wood, I haven't had a PF attack in a couple years--if I even start to "feel" any pain, I immediately take precautions (meds, ice, shoes, rest).

I warn you--catch it early and baby that foot back to health. Before you get up in the morning, or get up from a chair, stretch the muscles in your foot. Also, I found the best way to "ice" your heel is to fill a plastic (individual drink size) bottle with water, freeze it, and just roll it back and forth under your foot while sitting watching TV or at the computer. And I'll stress this one more time--stretch your foot by flexing it before you stand up or get out of bed.

Take it easy; PF can really make your life a b!tch!

Oh, and your question about what color of shoes to buy?.....Comfortable!

.

I hope it gets better! Sounds very painful!! And, during the summer....no funn!

To relate to your uncle: I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and nothing worked to 'unpinch' it. I had a wreck (got t-boned), spun around in the road a few times (pre-seatbelts) and hit a tree. Pinched nerve cured forever!

I vote for black and tan. Black for dressy/anything dark/evening and tan for light colors/white/daytime.

I echo everything that Shelly said. Excellent advice!

I, too, have been plagued by PF. I had it in my right foot for about a year and then, when that finally healed, I got it in my left foot. I am a runner, so I was absolutely miserable. I had inserts (I called them my "implants" ), I had a cortizone shot, I had stretching devices, I wore a boot at night, I stopped running. Hell... I got so depressed that I stopped doing anything, which made me gain weight, which is also bad for the PF. It was a vicious cycle .

Finally, I decided to try something new and I started yoga. I don't think I really knew what Yoga was (or is), but it turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. And best of all, it has cured my plantar fasciitis! I am convinced that it is the stretching that is required for all those positions - downward dog, warrior one, etc. - and the length of time you hold them during a yoga session (which, by the way, is waaayyy longer than I would do on my own) that has cured me. It's just way different than any other exercise I have ever done, and I am hooked. And it is soooo hard. What a workout!

I now run about 3 days a week and do yoga 2-3 times a week. No problems with my feet at all.

Oh, one other thing that helped.... I would walk about 2 miles (several times a week) on the "soft" sand of the beach barefooted. Not the hard sand next to the water, but the soft duneward sand. It helped stretch out the muscles in my feet. I read about this technique in a runner's magazine and since I live right by the beach, I thought I would give it a try. I do believe that it helped as well. But long barefoot walks on the hard sand next to the water?? Forget it. You will just KILL your foot doing that.

Otherwise, with regard to going barefoot, it is true that you just can't do that anymore. I got my original bout of PF after we renovated our house and I instituted a "no shoe" rule. I was constantly barefoot on hardwood floors, and because the house was new and fresh, I had renewed energy to clean it, so all that barefoot housework really did me in. I now have a maid , I don't obsess about housework , and I wear flip flops with arch support... all the time. I mean all the time. I love my Merrill flip flops and LOVE my leather flip flops from Clark's (go to the Outlet mall and buy some). I have 4 different colors and they are my shoe of choice. They have an arch support, which is crucial for PF sufferers.

I can still wear strappy cute heals on occassion, but I am very careful about my shoes.

Good luck, NoHall. I can really relate to your pain.

I've got PF in both feet after running 25 miles a week for 9 years. I wasn't stretching before I ran, and sometimes I'd let my shoes get too worn out. I tried physical therapy at the local orthopedic group and doing stretching exercises after getting out of bed, but that didn't really help. Got custom orthotics and wore athletic shoes to work every day (very sexy ). It didn't really help. Plus I got a toenail fungus from wearing athletic shoes and socks all of the time. I can't take antifungal meds because they are contraindicated for a heart rhythm abnormality that I have (it's no big deal -- it's just that there is a long list of meds I can't take).

Just like you, Grayton Girl, I was depressed because I couldn't run, and not running caused me to be depressed (not getting the endorphins from exercise). So I gained weight. My internist fussed at me about this, and when I told him about my PF, he referred me to a doctor who had helped him, Dr. Perry Julien (orthopedic physician for the Atlanta Olympics and for the Peachtree Road Race).

I ended up with his new partner from Destin because Julien broke his leg while skiing. I got cortisone shots, new orthotics, small cushions to stick right in the arch area of my regular shoes (yay-- no more athletic shoes for work). The doctor suggested a night brace. That just didn't work because you can't walk in them, and every time I got up at night due to whatever reason, I'd have to detach the Velcro which would wake up my husband and the dog. So he suggested dorsal night splints that I could walk in, wouldn't work as well, but would be much better than nothing. Those help a lot, but still I have pain. And on sleepless nights they bug me, so I take them off. I bought two of these: Dorsal Night Splint - AliMed.

The doctor says the next step is extracorporeal shock wave therapy. I keep putting it off because it scares me. Someone I know had the procedure done, and she said it got rid of her PF.

Maybe I'll call for an apppointment next week.

In the meantime when I don't wear my splints, I am in extreme pain and limp when I first get out of bed.

I really miss running every day. And I miss being skinny.

So good luck to all of you who have PF. I feel like I could write a book.

BR, I went to Perry for a broken bone in my foot. He's really good, but I ended up with Errol Bailey - sports orthopedist for Braves, etc. Have stopped running, which is fabu because I HATED running.

GG, Yoga has helped my bone, too. Amazing! We opted for no surgery and determined ways I could live with it.....I wear high heels now, but no more high impact exercise. I did get a cortizone shot and I almost came off the table and punched him square in the face. That was unbelievably painful, but I could have run a marathon two minutes later. The next cortizone shot only lasted a couple of weeks and then I was done with that.

JR, my arches are so high that no high-arched shoe helps. Those little pads that Julien's office gave me help a little, but not as good as wearing the orthotics. But, again, I can't wear the orthotics all of the time because I don't want to get a toenail fungus again. ARGH!

I remember that stairstep exercise. I should start doing that again. I should also do the frozen water bottles again like SHELLY recommended, especially now thatam getting ready for the Peachtree Road Race on the 4th. I plan to walk it -- running is just too high-impact for my feet.

Can't do yoga. I have arthritis in my knees from all of the running, and I am so ungraceful in my movements that yoga really hurt them. I got to the point where I had trouble getting out of a chair or out of my car. Very embarrassing. Doctor told me to stop the yoga.

Wish I could wear high heels. That was one of my trademarks. And there are so many gorgeous styles now.

BR - Can't you wash your feet w/ something or change your socks more often to prevent the toe fungus?

BR - Can't you wash your feet w/ something or change your socks more often to prevent the toe fungus?

The doc just said to change socks every day and every time I put on my shoes. He never mentioned any type of antifungal wash.

I even tried the Vicks remedy from the Dr. Gott column in the newspaper. Didn't work.

BTW now that I don't wear shoes and socks except when I exercise, I don't have the toe problem at least.

I would think frequently changing your socks and washing your feet w/ soap would take care of it, but dunno. We used to wear wet hiking boots and socks all day for weeks on end and we never had a problem w/ toe fungus.

I would think frequently changing your socks and washing your feet w/ soap would take care of it, but dunno. We used to wear wet hiking boots and socks all day for weeks on end and we never had a problem w/ toe fungus.

But you're not my age. As T.I. would say, big $hit starts popping when you get my age. Better than dead.

I "felt your pain." I, too, was (am) a victim of PF. As a matter of fact, I had it off and on for several years. I went through the "800mg Motrin" phase; the "shoe inserts" phase; the "physical therapy" phase; the "taping the foot" phase and in the end...the "cortisone shot in the heel" phase--3 times . Knock on wood, I haven't had a PF attack in a couple years--if I even start to "feel" any pain, I immediately take precautions (meds, ice, shoes, rest).

I warn you--catch it early and baby that foot back to health. Before you get up in the morning, or get up from a chair, stretch the muscles in your foot. Also, I found the best way to "ice" your heel is to fill a plastic (individual drink size) bottle with water, freeze it, and just roll it back and forth under your foot while sitting watching TV or at the computer. And I'll stress this one more time--stretch your foot by flexing it before you stand up or get out of bed.

Take it easy; PF can really make your life a b!tch!

Oh, and your question about what color of shoes to buy?.....Comfortable!

.

Great advice on the stretch! Thanks, Shelly!

I hope it gets better! Sounds very painful!! And, during the summer....no funn!

To relate to your uncle: I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and nothing worked to 'unpinch' it. I had a wreck (got t-boned), spun around in the road a few times (pre-seatbelts) and hit a tree. Pinched nerve cured forever!

I vote for black and tan. Black for dressy/anything dark/evening and tan for light colors/white/daytime.

I have the black already, ordered the tan today in Merrills. I think they're dressy enough for church and still comfortable.

I echo everything that Shelly said. Excellent advice!

I, too, have been plagued by PF. I had it in my right foot for about a year and then, when that finally healed, I got it in my left foot. I am a runner, so I was absolutely miserable. I had inserts (I called them my "implants" ), I had a cortizone shot, I had stretching devices, I wore a boot at night, I stopped running. Hell... I got so depressed that I stopped doing anything, which made me gain weight, which is also bad for the PF. It was a vicious cycle .

Finally, I decided to try something new and I started yoga. I don't think I really knew what Yoga was (or is), but it turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. And best of all, it has cured my plantar fasciitis! I am convinced that it is the stretching that is required for all those positions - downward dog, warrior one, etc. - and the length of time you hold them during a yoga session (which, by the way, is waaayyy longer than I would do on my own) that has cured me. It's just way different than any other exercise I have ever done, and I am hooked. And it is soooo hard. What a workout!

I now run about 3 days a week and do yoga 2-3 times a week. No problems with my feet at all.

Oh, one other thing that helped.... I would walk about 2 miles (several times a week) on the "soft" sand of the beach barefooted. Not the hard sand next to the water, but the soft duneward sand. It helped stretch out the muscles in my feet. I read about this technique in a runner's magazine and since I live right by the beach, I thought I would give it a try. I do believe that it helped as well. But long barefoot walks on the hard sand next to the water?? Forget it. You will just KILL your foot doing that.

Otherwise, with regard to going barefoot, it is true that you just can't do that anymore. I got my original bout of PF after we renovated our house and I instituted a "no shoe" rule. I was constantly barefoot on hardwood floors, and because the house was new and fresh, I had renewed energy to clean it, so all that barefoot housework really did me in. I now have a maid , I don't obsess about housework , and I wear flip flops with arch support... all the time. I mean all the time. I love my Merrill flip flops and LOVE my leather flip flops from Clark's (go to the Outlet mall and buy some). I have 4 different colors and they are my shoe of choice. They have an arch support, which is crucial for PF sufferers.

I can still wear strappy cute heals on occassion, but I am very careful about my shoes.

Good luck, NoHall. I can really relate to your pain.

Today, for the first time I can remember EVER, I wore shoes all day and my feet are both killing me! Not just the PF--toes ache, balls of feet, everything. The longest I ever wear shoes on a regular basis is during work hours. They come off the second I walk in the door. When I go to my parents' house, they come off. If I go to a friend's house, they come off. Sometimes they come off under my desk at school.

I think it's because I'm used to going barefoot and that I stretch my feet throughout the day. When you described the yoga, that made sense--I don't do yoga, but I'll put them on the edge of my footstool while I SoWal and stretch them like the stair stretch you described. I don't feel like I got my stretching time today because of the ding-danged shoes! My feet were trapped!

Here's the new twist: I went to the chiropractor this morning and said something about getting a blister last night wearing shoes in the house. She looked at my toes, which have a lovely curve to them, and she said, "I don't know how I missed this yesterday, but you are in the early stages of hammer toes. You will need to consider wearing orthotics to flatten them out and keep them for curling."

I told her that my toes have ALWAYS had an arch to them. Dad and I have monkey feet--Mom says she's afraid we will strangle her with them someday. Until now I've never had a problem, and Dad hasn't either. His toes have always curled, too, and have never turned into hammer toe.

The good news is that the PF is feeling better with the ice bottle and the morning stretches.

Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm grateful to hear from the other side, both good and bad.

Today, for the first time I can remember EVER, I wore shoes all day and my feet are both killing me! Not just the PF--toes ache, balls of feet, everything. The longest I ever wear shoes on a regular basis is during work hours. They come off the second I walk in the door. When I go to my parents' house, they come off. If I go to a friend's house, they come off. Sometimes they come off under my desk at school.

...you're apprently wearing the "wrong" kinds of shoes if your feet hurt. Lots of the PF crowd swear by some sort of Dansko/Clarks-style clog or those super-light clogs worn by surgeons, usually available at uniform stores (not $5 Walmart Crocs knock-offs). Wearing a comfortable, light clog-type shoe around the house (or at work and in pubic "if you dare") not only gives you the support and comfort you need when you're on your feet, but also allows you to slip them on and off easily when you're sitting/laying down. Do some Googling to find out what's right for you and your budget.

...you're apprently wearing the "wrong" kinds of shoes if your feet hurt. Lots of the PF crowd swear by some sort of Dansko/Clarks-style clog or those super-light clogs worn by surgeons, usually available at uniform stores (not $5 Walmart Crocs knock-offs). Wearing a comfortable, light clog-type shoe around the house (or at work and in pubic "if you dare") not only gives you the support and comfort you need when you're on your feet, but also allows you to slip them on and off easily when you're sitting/laying down. Do some Googling to find out what's right for you and your budget.

My problem is that my arches are so high that I haven't found a shoe with arch supports that are high enough to give me any relief. I've tried on everything at Abbadabba on East Paces Ferry (they have Dansko, Clark, Merrill, etc.) and The Walking Company at Lenox. My arches are at least 1/4 inch above their supposed high-arched shoes.

My problem is that my arches are so high that I haven't found a shoe with arch supports that are high enough to give me any relief. I've tried on everything at Abbadabba on East Paces Ferry (they have Dansko, Clark, Merrill, etc.) and The Walking Company at Lenox. My arches are at least 1/4 inch above their supposed high-arched shoes.

...bummer. I did some googling and found that Birkenstocks have a line of shoes/clogs/sandals for high arches. In your search for the shoe that you can easily slide on and off (to let you maintain the barefoot feel you love), unfortunately form must always come before fashion...and, failing to find some retail product, you may have to go for custom-made shoes (again, go with a clog/sandal you can slip on and off) which can go for several hundred smackers. If you do this, make sure they have a very, very good return policy if you're not completely satisfied.

Believe me, if PF drags out over several months, it really eats away at you and can become exceptionally depressing. I even had an ER doc tell me that he never gave a cortisone shot in a person's heel before and I told him "Just do it, I'll talk you through it!!" (I talked him through the procedure my podiatrist used, which was to press very hard in different places around my heel till "we" found the most painful spot--mark that area with a dot--and put the shot right there---YOWSA!!)

...bummer. I did some googling and found that Birkenstocks have a line of shoes/clogs/sandals for high arches. In your search for the shoe that you can easily slide on and off (to let you maintain the barefoot feel you love), unfortunately form must always come before fashion...and, failing to find some retail product, you may have to go for custom-made shoes (again, go with a clog/sandal you can slip on and off) which can go for several hundred smackers. If you do this, make sure they have a very, very good return policy if you're not completely satisfied.

Believe me, if PF drags out over several months, it really eats away at you and can become exceptionally depressing. I even had an ER doc tell me that he never gave a cortisone shot in a person's heel before and I told him "Just do it, I'll talk you through it!!" (I talked him through the procedure my podiatrist used, which was to press very hard in different places around my heel till "we" found the most painful spot--mark that area with a dot--and put the shot right there---YOWSA!!)

I've been to Abbadabbas. Birki's high arches don't even touch mine.

And OMG everyone in the building could hear me scream during each cortisone shot.

I've been to Abbadabbas. Birki's high arches don't even touch mine.

And OMG everyone in the building could hear me scream during each cortisone shot.

...appears you'll need custom-mades--the scream from the cortisone shot will be comparable to the one when the cobbler presents you with the bill.

.

I have the same problem - just recently purchased (on referral from a nurse friend) a pair of MBT shoes (got them at Sunset Shoes) They are very expensive - over $200.00 but you walk rolling your foot - you hardly put any weight on your heel and it has helped me unbelieveable - I live in these shoes now. MBT stands for Masaius Barefoot Technology - it is called the anti-shoe you can check them out on swissmasaius.com.

I have the same problem - just recently purchased (on referral from a nurse friend) a pair of MBT shoes (got them at Sunset Shoes) They are very expensive - over $200.00 but you walk rolling your foot - you hardly put any weight on your heel and it has helped me unbelieveable - I live in these shoes now. MBT stands for Masaius Barefoot Technology - it is called the anti-shoe you can check them out on swissmasaius.com.

Thanks for the link. It doesn't appear that they have arch support which is what I've been told that I need to keep my plantar fascia from over-stretching.

I've had this same problem for years and went thru all the same B.S. as everyone else, the shots, night braces, heel inserts, celebrex, etc. I have never spoken with anyone who has been helped by these methods, it's amazing these "solutions" are still prescribed. A few years ago I needed a pair of sandals quick so I bought a cheap pair, and I mean cheap in price and quality . The heel area quickly collapsed causing more support to the arch area, my feet never felt better. I now purchase standard inserts with arch support (something the heel inserts from the doctor didn't have) from drug stores for all my shoes and the problem has mostly disappeared. Other people with this problem have told me they had to go with custom inserts but the bottom line is inserts seem to work for most individuals. Had the doctor suggested trying these simple methods first it would have saved me some pain and the insurance company a good bit of money. Good luck to you.

inserts....20 bucks at target[walkfit brand], and towel stretch in the morning before your feet hit the floor, pain will subside in a few weeks

I mentioned the new pain to the reflexologist, and she told me I can kick off my shoes every once in a while in the house. I'm going to play with it.

I was wearing my regular garden-clog so-ugly Crocs (not a knock-off) around the first night, and they gave me a blister on my toe. My doc says the toe bed is too big and lets my toes slide too much when the heel strap is on. (She insists on a heel in my shoes right now.)

Yesterday I was wearing a more streamlined Croc around the house. They have great support. No blisters this time, just an overall achiness from not wiggling my toes enough.

Moderation...

...bummer. I did some googling and found that Birkenstocks have a line of shoes/clogs/sandals for high arches. In your search for the shoe that you can easily slide on and off (to let you maintain the barefoot feel you love), unfortunately form must always come before fashion...and, failing to find some retail product, you may have to go for custom-made shoes (again, go with a clog/sandal you can slip on and off) which can go for several hundred smackers. If you do this, make sure they have a very, very good return policy if you're not completely satisfied.

Believe me, if PF drags out over several months, it really eats away at you and can become exceptionally depressing. I even had an ER doc tell me that he never gave a cortisone shot in a person's heel before and I told him "Just do it, I'll talk you through it!!" (I talked him through the procedure my podiatrist used, which was to press very hard in different places around my heel till "we" found the most painful spot--mark that area with a dot--and put the shot right there---YOWSA!!)

Shelly--this just gave me cold chills. Needle. Heel. Needle going into heel.

I mentioned the new pain to the reflexologist, and she told me I can kick off my shoes every once in a while in the house. I'm going to play with it.

I was wearing my regular garden-clog so-ugly Crocs (not a knock-off) around the first night, and they gave me a blister on my toe. My doc says the toe bed is too big and lets my toes slide too much when the heel strap is on. (She insists on a heel in my shoes right now.)

Yesterday I was wearing a more streamlined Croc around the house. They have great support. No blisters this time, just an overall achiness from not wiggling my toes enough.

Moderation...

NH--I jsut read this thread this morning. So sorry for all your pain. I too have had a touch of this in the past. But, I had to smile at your last post.. The whole time I was reading, I was thinking......................CROCS!!!

Shelly--this just gave me cold chills. Needle. Heel. Needle going into heel.



NH--I jsut read this thread this morning. So sorry for all your pain. I too have had a touch of this in the past. But, I had to smile at your last post.. The whole time I was reading, I was thinking......................CROCS!!!

I have to laugh at the part about the Crocs, too. I feel like I'm confessing a crime every time I mention them here!

The pain part is still not awful, and I'm even more hopeful that I can get it fixed. I spent the weekend with my cousins who both had it. One was cured through exercise and the other through laser surgery; both were wearing flip flops this weekend!

Had it years ago, my podiatrist fixed it and it never came back. good luck.