Any nurses with plantar fasciitis?

stidget99 · May 14, 2005

I was dx'd w/ plantar faciitis about 7 or 8 yrs ago. After struggling with it for quite some time, I've found the best way for me to deal w/ it - finding the right shoes are the most important issue for pain control. The doc suggested Spenco inserts. They were great. They can be found at most any shoe store. However, since I've started wearing my birkenstocks, I have been essentially pain free and have not needed the Spenco's but I do use them for my non-work shoes. When I do have the occasional flare-up, I do the ibuprofen, stretching, etc.

llg, PhD, RN · May 14, 2005

At one point, I got good orthotics and wore them constantly ... even with my bedroom slippers. They worked great after an initial period of getting used to them -- though it did take a while to get used to them. I had gotten to the point of barely being able to walk and was desparate for pain relief.

When the orthotics wore out, I wasn't on my feet much. So ... I didn't replace them.

Then a few years ago, the pain came back again. This time, I did the cortisone shots. I got 3 shots in each heel over a period of about 3 months. That worked too.

Another piece of advice that an orthopedist gave me (I also have a bad knee and hip) is to where different types of shoes each day. No matter how good a pair of shoes is, if you wear them every day, you are putting an identical strain on your body every day. By wearing different shoes each day (or even changing them mid-day), you vary the pressure points and strain so that no one particular point of your body bears the constant brunt of the stress. I've recommended that to some friends who have chronic lower extremity problems and they have found it helpful -- common sense that is inexpensive, but helpful.

Fortunately, I have a job that doesn't require me to be on my feet as much as used to. That's another thing to consider in your long-term career planning. As the body ages, the more phyisical types of work become more difficult. Plan while you are young for a long-term career your body will be able to handle as it ages.

Good luck,

llg

ValerieB · May 14, 2005

I had recently taken up running again, for about a month, when I came up lame suddenly one morning. After a week of it and chomping at the bit because I couldn't run, I saw the doc and was dx'd with plantar fasciitis. I've taken 2 weeks off now, been doing the ice/ibuprofen/rest/stretch routine, and it's slowly improving. I also got some spongy-type heel cups for all of my shoes.
I'm not in clinicals right now, but I'm wondering how in the heck I'd manage if I was! It sometimes gets better throughout the day, but mornings are rough.
Does anyone have this, and if so, how do you deal with it? At it's worst, I was limply along as quickly as I could, but each step was torturous. I can't imagine having this AND being on my feet for a 12 hour shift! But a nurse friend of mine said it's pretty common among nurses, and I wondered how they deal with it. I'm ready to try the cortisone shots or anything else if it's not gone soon. I miss running, but more importantly, wanted to work as an LNA this summer before getting back into clinicals.

I had heel spurs and plantar faciitis a few years ago. I was injected with cortisone twice, used ibuprofen, and he put some type of special wrap on my foot that I had to keep dry and on for 5 days. I also these stretching excercises that I was pretty faithful in doing and still do every once in a while before work. I can say that I haven't had any further problems with my foot. I do know that another nurse friend of mine ended up having foot surgery for the same problem. :rolleyes:

DUCKGIRL · May 14, 2005

got mine from running also...I had to stop for about 3 months..it really hurt..I have started again but can't do too much. I stretch, do Yoga ( I really think yoga has helped heal it) I work 12 hour shifts (which is really more like 13-14 hrs) on my feet all day long. I was in PAIN when it first started. I had to sit down or stand on my other leg. I wear dansko's which are great but believe it or not I put birkenstock insoles into them for added arch support. It seemed to help. I have been a runner for a long time and have had friends with this. Unfortuneately everybody is different and the healing time is different. Mine is getting better after about 5 months...but I think it will take about a year to heal completely. My advice... rest completely for a while...make sure to stretch..get good shoes..and be patient.

RN4Mommy · May 14, 2005

got mine from running also...i had to stop for about 3 months..it really hurt..i have started again but can't do too much. i stretch, do yoga ( i really think yoga has helped heal it) i work 12 hour shifts (which is really more like 13-14 hrs) on my feet all day long. i was in pain when it first started. i had to sit down or stand on my other leg. i wear dansko's which are great but believe it or not i put birkenstock insoles into them for added arch support. it seemed to help. i have been a runner for a long time and have had friends with this. unfortuneately everybody is different and the healing time is different. mine is getting better after about 5 months...but i think it will take about a year to heal completely. my advice... rest completely for a while...make sure to stretch..get good shoes..and be patient.

i have it, too. i've been accepted to start an lpn program this august and i'm praying it goes away before clinicals. once i'm up and on my feet for a while, they don't hurt as much but as soon as i sit down for any amount of time, you can guarantee they're going to kill me when i stand up. i've quit walking and i do the stretches/ibuprofen. that helps but i think it just takes time to heal.

Nesher, BSN, RN · May 14, 2005

I was in Italy a few years ago and had what was clearly PF - however at the time I didn't know and suffered - because what do you do when in Italy - WALK. I would wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and about pass out with the pain. I thought about going to a doc there - but decided it was too much bother. I continued running while there - yep stupid stubborn nurse - I would run up the long country road where we renting a villa - then walk down the hill as up was easier.

Once I got home I went to a sports doc and was dxed. By that time it was getting better. I did have to stop running for quite awhile. Fine now.

I work with a nurse who had to finally have a rather radical surgery - cut the tendon. Months of bedrest - she got pregnant:) - now she is fine.

Bird2 · May 14, 2005

I was dx'd w/ plantar faciitis about 7 or 8 yrs ago. After struggling with it for quite some time, I've found the best way for me to deal w/ it - finding the right shoes are the most important issue for pain control. The doc suggested Spenco inserts. They were great. They can be found at most any shoe store. However, since I've started wearing my birkenstocks, I have been essentially pain free and have not needed the Spenco's but I do use them for my non-work shoes. When I do have the occasional flare-up, I do the ibuprofen, stretching, etc.

Ditto for me. Once I started wearing the Birkenstocks I only have an occasional minor flare-up that is easily managed with the ibuprofen, ice, and streches. I also stopped going bare foot in the house. I wear my Birks all day.

RedSox33RN · May 16, 2005

Where do you guys get the Birkenstocks?

I thought this was getting better, but after a horrible day Friday (could barely walk, even with 800mg of ibuprofen every 8 hours, ice, etc.) it was a little bit better yesterday, but bad again today. I'm even waking up an hour before I normally get up, so I can take the ibuprofen before I get up for the day. That seems to help a little bit.

This is just so frustrating! I'm desperate to get out for a run.....

stidget99 · May 16, 2005

Where do you guys get the Birkenstocks?
I thought this was getting better, but after a horrible day Friday (could barely walk, even with 800mg of ibuprofen every 8 hours, ice, etc.) it was a little bit better yesterday, but bad again today. I'm even waking up an hour before I normally get up, so I can take the ibuprofen before I get up for the day. That seems to help a little bit.
This is just so frustrating! I'm desperate to get out for a run.....

www.birkenstock.com

Use your birkenstocks during work hours. Use good running shoes w/ spenco inserts for other activities.

RN50, ASN, BSN · May 16, 2005

I too have plantar faciaitis (sp?) My pain got so bad in my heels that I walked on my tiptoes for a few days (stubborn me) until I couldn't take it anymore and went to see a podiatrist. He diagnosed me. I did physical therapy, did some therapy where they put the little electrodes on my heels and shocked me with electricity. It actually felt pretty good. Also a physical therapist did massages and stretching with me. Then the podiatrist fitted me for orthotics. They took some getting used to, but man, I couldn't imagine life without them! And of course last but not least, wear good shoes. Nike's work well for me and are well worth the money. With the Nike's and my orthotics I can get through a 12 hour shift pretty well. Of course my feet are tired, but they don't hurt at all like they used to. It is possible to work 12's with the right shoes and some orthotics. Good luck to you, I hope you find some relief.

EyesForward · May 17, 2005

I also had PF and am a runner, until I got orthotics from my footo guy for my running shoes, and bought a pair of Merrell's by recommendation. I have so many pairs of Merrell's now for casual, work, beach, etc., and they are truly unbelievable comfort. My sister, also an athlete and a surgeon recommended them along with Danskos. The Dankskos didn't work well for me, because the sole is so hard, but supportive. I needed cushion, and the Merrell's are so soft on the heels. Try them...free shipping and returns at http://www.shoebuy.com.