Plantar Facitis-Heel Pain, help!

Nurses General Nursing

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I have developed severe heel pain about 2 months ago. I looked it up on webmd.com and it says I have plantar facitis. A tendon that runs along the bottom of the foot gets tight and the discomfort is usually felt in the heel. I have tried shoe/heel inserts, NSAIDs that help some but after 8 hours of being on my feet I can hardly bare it, I work 3 - 12's every week. What really helps is to be off my feet (yeah right).

Has anyone ever have or had this condition and what can I do about it? Are there any shoes that seem to really help. :chair:

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Dorsiflexion helps. But you might want to get a checkup, just to make sure that's the problem.

I've had excellent results with tape.

I'm as surprised as anyone as I've had *every* treatment except surgery (no spur), steroid injections and xylocain patches. In desperation, I tired the tape and have had about a 90% improvement.

The instructions I followed can be found here on this page under "taping document". It is not a PDF document. http://heelspurs.com/index.html

I use "sports tape" from Target or Walmart. I used it intermittantly but had a resurgence, so I've committed to taping for one month. I'm finishing my first week and didn't give my foot any thought at all today- for the first time in weeks. I have found that I must wear shoes at all times as going barefoot, even in the house, is aggravating. I stretch several times a day and find I get my best stretches wearing shoes, placing my toe end on a wall, and leaning toward the wall.

I wish you luck as this dx has been nearly debilitating at times.

Specializes in Home Health, Cardiology, Neurology, LTC.

I had that about 2 or 3 years ago. The pain was unbearable. My doctor told me to do stretches, and roll tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. It worked. Also, I went on Road Runner Sports.com and found the "perfect" shoe for my build and arch type. I've been wearing these shoes for 2 years and have had no more problems. PTL!!

I just read on the "Crocs" post that a gal has Plantar Facitis and says the Crocs shoes really feel the most comfortable.

My mom was just diagnosed with PF and the doc advised her to get foot orthotics. I know most insurance companies don't cover them, but they may help you too.

I guess I would check with your doc and see what they recommend. My mom has arthritis (we are thankful this is not related), so I know how much pain she is in, because her PF is what she has really been complaining about the most and her arthritis has taken a backseat to her pain..... I'm so sorry you are going through this. I hope you find some relief soon. Take care....

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I developed a bad case several years ago and went to a podiatrist. He gave me a good pair orthotics and they worked. They took a little while to get used to, but 100% of the pain went away within a couple of weeks. I wore them until they wore out in a couple of years.

A few years later, they got bad again. Living in a different town, I went to a different podiatrist. He gave me a series of 3 cortisone injections into each heel over a period of about 2 months. Again, 100% of the pain went away after the 3rd shot.

I strongly suggest you go see a podiatrist and get treated. You can try to "cure" yourself, but getting expert professional help is worth a shot.

Good luck. I know how painful it can be.

llg

I had it, had both heels injected and wore arches, haven't had a problem since. You need to increase the arch in your shoes.

Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Dorsiflexion. Always, before you stand up, especially when you have just sat for a break or lunch. The tendon gets tighter when you are walking, remains tight when you sit and go into a foot drop, and wham, you stand up and assault your heel. If you stretch (dorsiflex) before you stand, it sort of closes the divide.

Specializes in med/surg, oncology.

I have PF also and I got a pair of orthotics from the Podiatrist, and insurance paid 90percent. My share was $40 out of $400. I couldn't complain. I also did physical therapy, stretches, ibuprofen and Nike Airliner walking shoes. I was pain free for almost five years, until just recently my pain has come back. I guess it is time to go back to the podiatrist

Specializes in Peds, 1yr.; NICU, 15 yrs..
Dorsiflexion. Always, before you stand up, especially when you have just sat for a break or lunch. The tendon gets tighter when you walking, remains tight when you sit and go into a foot drop, and wham, you stand up and assault your heel. If you stretch (dorsiflex) before you stand, it sort of closes the divide.

Dorsiflexion, definitely. After going to see a doctor. I found that stretching before trying to walk in the morning, and a good pair of shoes did the trick. I would replace my shoes every 3 months, too. Its been gone for years now.

Blessings to all of you!!! I feel that I have some tools to work with now. I will make an appointment for a check up but in the meantime take the expert suggestions. Thank you!! :paw: :paw: :paw:

I had that about 2 or 3 years ago. The pain was unbearable. My doctor told me to do stretches, and roll tennis ball on the bottom of my foot. It worked. Also, I went on Road Runner Sports.com and found the "perfect" shoe for my build and arch type. I've been wearing these shoes for 2 years and have had no more problems. PTL!!

Do you have a high arch? What type of shoes do you wear? I have a very high arch and (as far as I know) can only wear Danskos. I would love to be able to wear a running or walking type shoe for 12+ hours and not have any problems.

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