plantar fascitis

[obeyacts2]

:) I have been diagnosed with plantar fascitis. I know that it is s inflammation of the connective tissue of the soles of the feet. My question: does anyone here have any suggestions on how to cope with the sx? My MD just said change shoes often, no hi heels (like I wear stilettos to work as a CNA) and no going barefoot. Second, is it common for this to be much worse on one side than the other? Rt siiiide, very mild- Lt side AAAGH!!!) If you know of any sites for information I would love to hear about it.

Laura

[passing thru]

Thanks for all the great tips. No one knows how bad it is til they have it !

[LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN]

I agree with all of the above. Especially the part about losing weight. The stretches and orthotics are good and the shots have worked for me but when I lost a significant amount of weight and have never again had trouble with my feet. It is a truly horrible pain! I couldn't believe how bad it was. Good luck!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I've been treated for it twice -- once several years ago with custom-made orthotics and once more recently with cortisone injections. In both cases, the treatment was relatively inexpensive, covered by insurance, and effective.

In my cases, both treatments worked just fine. Both podiatrists I went to (in two different states) also recommended icing my feet after doing a lot of walking.

llg

[K O'Malley]

I had plantar fascitis for a while a couple of years ago. The good news is that it does eventually get better. Spare no expense and buy really good athletic shoes and in addition put a cushioned heel insert in each shoe. Ice packs are very helpful too. If you can afford it, take some time off from work. One nurse I worked with had it so bad that she had to take off several weeks. Even as bad as her case was she did get better.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

He is a runner. Are you?

renerian

[tugbird]

My husband has it. He is a Marine and does a lot of running. He has custom made orthotics and he buys new running shoes often. The Navy doc told him the best shoes for the condition were asics and to stay away from Nike.

Sam

[eltrip]

My chiropracter did friction therapy on my heels, which helped a great deal. He also recommended Sorbothane insoles, which were also quite helpful. Again, stretching is a key component in dealing with this one a day-to-day basis.

Good luck to you in dealing with this.

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

After doing all the stretching, massage and ice packs I could bear, I got a cortisone shot. It masked the symptoms long enough for me to do the stretches needed for it to heal. Still flares up occasionally, but the posters above who recommended hard orthotics are right...My Podiatrist also said to wear shoes that don't bend and flex in the heel area. Nike's are the worst.

>>>DuckPads

...Yep...They helped and I also suppoted my girlfriends business!

[rebelwaclause, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by Anaclaire

1. Loose weight. On my 5'6" frame I had reached 190 lbs. When I found myself at 175-180 I realized the pain was gone. I believe during the time I was loosing weight (by diet control only because it hurt too much to walk for exercise) I was also implementing some other effective measures.

Warmly,

Anaclaire

:kiss

This was the first question I asked my Podiatrist, was it weight related (I've gained about 20 pounds over the past year...In process of losing it!). I was told no. He was height-weight proportioned, and once had it during his internship as a Podiatrist. Small "little-old-ladies" get it and athletes get it most.

>>>>Click Here

Plantar fasciitis occurs from small tears and inflammation in the wide band of tendons and ligaments -- the connective tissue -- which stretches from the heel to the ball of the foot. This band, much like the tensed string in a bow, forms the arch of the foot and helps to serve as a shock absorber for the body. (The term plantar means the sole of the foot and fascia refers to any fibrous connective tissue in the body.) Plantar fasciitis is usually a result of overuse from high-impact exercise and sports and accounts for up to 9% of all running injuries. Because the condition often occurs in only one foot, however, factors other than overuse may be responsible in some cases. Other causes of this injury include poorly fitting shoes or an uneven stride that causes an abnormal and stressful impact on the foot. Pain often occurs suddenly and mainly in the heel. The condition can be temporary or may become chronic if the problem is ignored. In such cases, resting provides relief, but it is only temporary.

[UVaRN2Be]

It is horrible pain. The best results for me came from inserts (I didnt spend a fortune on them), frozen oj can I rolled my feet on, stretching and massage therapy. I have an appointment to see new massage therapist that was recommended to me. This lady swore by her. Said whatever it was she did it "cured" her the first day........... crossing fingers.... hoping for a miracle.....

I forgot.... taping the bottom of your feet. I use the thick tape that is (i think )used for like boxers... very sticky and stiff.....

[nrsjo]

I had this in my right foot for almost one year.

I filled an empty 20 oz coke bottle with water and froze it, and would roll my foot and heel over it after work. The ice really helped with the pain.

The orthopedic doc gave me a positioning boot to sleep in to keep the foot stretched at night, and a series of stretches to do during the day.

I also had to switch shoes frequently to find the right ones to help take the pressure off my foot.

[moonrose2u]

BIRKENTSTOCKS!!!

forget all the money on orthotics, and other "remedies"

invest in a pair of professional birks....it will be a difference like night and day...

i have bilateral plantar fascitis..spent about 1500 dollars on orthotics, and other things, highly recommended by all kinds of docs-orthopods, podiatrists, etc...

nothing helped until i purchased a pair of birkes...and now i can stand 16 hrs on my feet with no problem....they have been a godsend...

oh yea, and never, ever go barefoot again!!