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.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
What helped me was wearing a special brace 24/7---even in bed at night---that held my foot in a flexed position, keeping the tendon stretched out. I also did the NSAIDs, ice, and exercising the foot by repeatedly rolling it over a bottle set on its side on the floor. (Later I bought one of those foot bubblers which has a knobby roller in the middle that serves the same purpose, only better.)
Essentially, the only real 'cure' for plantar fasciitis is tincture of time.....sorry, you're going to have to forget about running until it heals, and that can take quite a while (both times I had it, it took almost 6 months......but then, I'm overweight and have a physically active job, which I'm sure didn't help).
Hope you find the right remedy for you, and soon......I literally can feel your pain!
I have been diagnosed with plantar's fasciitis as well. All day long at clinicals both of my feet hurt terribly. Each step is like walking on shards of glass, and it sometimes gets so bad that I want to cry.
I believe my problem started with a pair of sandals I wore last summer. They looked so cute, but they killed my feet to wear them. Well, shortly after that I started having pain no matter which shoes I wore, including my New Balance that had always been so comfy.
I am quite impressed with some of the treatments the other posters have had. The podiatrists you all see must be much better than the two I have seen. First doc tried orthotics - don't help, but I still use them in my sneakers. He also gave me cortisone shots which hurt like heck and made the pain worse. He prescribed an NSAID, but then I found out I was pregnant so I stopped taking them (they helped just a little bit, anyway). Second doc made me some thick foam insoles in his office, no help. Basically they both told me that the only thing that will help is to lose weight. Of course, being 34 wks. pregnant that's not an option for me right now. I'm kind of miffed that they didn't try any physical therapy, massage, stretching, electrodes, etc. that some of the other posters have mentioned. When you are fat, that is the only thing doctors will look at... they will not take any of your complaints seriously, because they blame every single thing on being overweight.
I've spent about $400 on shoes this school year alone (not including the orthotics and treatments) and I'm still in pain. Thankfully I only have 4 hard clinical days left. Hopefully, after the baby comes, I can work on getting them healed with NSAIDS, rest, and weight loss.
The only thing that helps to slightly alleviate my pain is to put my feet in ice water each morning. It's not pleasant, but whatever helps, right? The website http://heelspurs.com/index.html has a load of very helpful information. I've also done the taping and it seemed to help to, but it got expensive after a few days.
In short, I feel for you! :chuckle Best of luck to you and all the poor, unfortunate souls suffering through this condition!
I used to have PF. I highly recommend being specially fitted for orthotics and buying a great pair of Nikes. They both worked for me along with special exercises the doc gave me. One really good exercise was rolling my feet over a soda can several times a day. My feet feel great now! I hope your feet start feeling better soon. It's hard to have PF and have to work such long shifts.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
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.....
You may need to consider taking up swimming. It is the only exercise I can bear when my PF acts up. As an added bonus, it helps the PF, too.
Nikes and Naprosyn helped me. I took the Naprosyn the night before, and by morning, it really made a difference. Wear shoes around the clock. No flats without some kind of padding. Tincture of time is the best medicine, though.
Yep - yet another nurse/runner with plantar fascitis
What helped?
1) Custom orthotics
2) Stretch - Ice - Repeat (ad nauseum)
3) Good quality running shoes for work (lotsa cushioning)
4) Short-term run of Naproxen Sodium - for about 3 weeks
Hint for the icing part: Take a 1 liter container of bottled water and stick it in the freezer (pour a little of the water out first to allow for expansion).
Whenever you think about it (and at LEAST once daily), sit and roll the frozen bottle on the floor with your foot. Yes, its COLD at first, but gets easier. It really does the trick, plus it allows you to sort of massage/stretch the plantar fascia while icing.
I still get a little achy at the end of a tough shift, but I am able to run, etc. afterwards. Before doing all of the above, I was limping my way even after only 1 hour at work....and having run 4 marathons, I thought that I was accustomed to foot pain!
Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.
I, too have pf..(we sound like a 12 `step group!)
went to the podiatrist finally when i couldnt bear the pain at night or during the day...did the water bottle thing, heat and ibuprofen...am currently on feldene:) and doing lots of stretching..at least TID..put your foot up on a chair or bed, grab hold of your toes and hold for several seconds, then switch hands and hold on with the opposite hand for a few seconds. do this on both legs, you will feel it, trust me, and keep your legs straight while stretching. I also do a yoga/pilates routine three or four times a week. The orthotics were ok but too big for most of my shoes. My brother works for ECCO and got me a pair of running shoes and walking shoes wich have also helped. Good luck..i feel your pain!
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
What helped me was wearing a special brace 24/7---even in bed at night---that held my foot in a flexed position, keeping the tendon stretched out. I also did the NSAIDs, ice, and exercising the foot by repeatedly rolling it over a bottle set on its side on the floor. (Later I bought one of those foot bubblers which has a knobby roller in the middle that serves the same purpose, only better.)
Essentially, the only real 'cure' for plantar fasciitis is tincture of time.....sorry, you're going to have to forget about running until it heals, and that can take quite a while (both times I had it, it took almost 6 months......but then, I'm overweight and have a physically active job, which I'm sure didn't help).
Hope you find the right remedy for you, and soon......I literally can feel your pain!