I think I might have plantar fascitis! :(

Nurses General Nursing

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My right heel has been hurting for about a month, and I suspect I might have plantar fascitis :( What really sucks is that I'm a new grad and will be starting my new job in a matter of days!

I'm going to call to make an appt. with a podiatrist, but I don't know how long I'll have to wait to see one.

Assuming this is plantar fascitis, will I still be able to work? I'm freaking out because it took me so long to find a job, and I have big school loans to pay off!

Thanks for reading.

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Hi,

if you are able to walk, you can work. I have had a very severe case of plantar fasciitis which was caused by trauma (fall) and not diagnosed for a long time (because I didn't see a podiatrist; I know, that was not very smart.) Initially, I couldn't walk at all, just hobble on my injured right foot; the pain was 10/10. With time, it improved, but never got any better than maybe 5/10 while walking on my (new!) job; I didn't dare go on any of the long walks that I used to.

I finally saw a good podiatrist (after 10 months), and after one injection of cortisone and exercises I do at home it has improved about 95%; I just had a follow-up appt, and my podiatrist is confident that another shot will cure it.

So to make a long story short, yes you can work (I could! When the pain was bad, I just tried to sit down a lot). And yes, be sure to see a podiatrist.

Best of luck to you, and congratulations!

DeLana

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Thanks DeLana. I was worried about the doctor telling me I'd have to stay off my feet. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long to see the podiatrist.

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nope, won't need to stay off your feet. you will be told what kind of shoes to wear. in the meantime go buy some arch inserts.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
My right heel has been hurting for about a month, and I suspect I might have plantar fascitis :( What really sucks is that I'm a new grad and will be starting my new job in a matter of days!

I'm going to call to make an appt. with a podiatrist, but I don't know how long I'll have to wait to see one.

Assuming this is plantar fascitis, will I still be able to work? I'm freaking out because it took me so long to find a job, and I have big school loans to pay off!

Thanks for reading.

I have it also, and with treatment, you can work. I received cortisone injections, orthotics and exercise tips for the feet (which, to my stupidity, do not do each day). I also take naproxen if the pain gets too bad, but once I started wearing the orthotics, it was much more tolerable to work. I was fortunate enough to see a podiatrist at my job a few months ago, and plan to visit again in a few weeks after I get my xrays. I have it in both feet, so, I totally understand your pain. There is life after plantar fasciitis...

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I've been wearing some orthotics for the past couple days. Are they supposed to hurt though? After about an hour I can't bear them anymore.

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Orthotics and shoes are great but ProStretch and a night splint will be 2 of your best friends and are 2 of the best ways to help in the recovery process.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic.

Something that might help you is to roll the bottom of your foot over a tennis ball on the floor. It might be a little bit uncomfortable while doing it, but I've found it really helps me work out sore spots on my feet after a day of walking all over the hospital. Usually just do 6-12 slow and steady rolls with applying good pressure.

Good orthotics have helped me, but there can be a "break in" period.. I've found where it actually feels a bit "unnatural".

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I've been wearing some orthotics for the past couple days. Are they supposed to hurt though? After about an hour I can't bear them anymore.

I was told to 'break them in' by wearing them for an hour or so each day for a few days. I didn't listen, but didn't have problems, either. Mine were prescribed by my podiatrist; maybe that was why I didn't have a problem. At this point, I will be purchasing some fashionable orthopedic shoes for casual wear. I have no intention of experiencing severe foot pain like that again.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I was also told to roll my feet on a frozen water bottle. That really felt soothing, believe it or not.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Orthotics and shoes are great but ProStretch and a night splint will be 2 of your best friends and are 2 of the best ways to help in the recovery process.

I was thinking about purchasing some splints from the drug store. Where did you get your ProStretch splints from? I plan to get some splints on payday. My husband also has plantar fasciitis, in fact, he developed it a few months before me (but, he will not go see a podiatrist:angryfire). It is amazing how such a problem can develop so quickly.

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Prostretch is an awesome stretching device for the calves and lower extremity.

http://protherapysupplies.com/pd_prostretch.cfm

As far as the night splint they have a lot of different versions.

http://www.nextag.com/night-splint/search-html They all serve the general purpose. The one I have is http://www.nextag.com/night-splint/search-html

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