Heel pain reducing my quality of life...

barbnyc · Jul 14, 2006

It's all in the shoes. A doctor had recommended to me years back that I never wear anything very flat (flipflops, very flat shoes, etc.), and that I always wear a shoe with a wedge that had at least a one inch heel. After going through all kinds of shoes to find the ones that worked best, I had to give up all of my dress shoes and I wore Naturalizer shoes (I worked in Corporate America). For walking on the concrete streets of NY, I found Propet sneakers are very helpful.

I start nursing school in the Fall and I am going to take the suggestion of another forum on this website. There is a forum that specifically talks on this topic and one of their recommended shoes is Crocs. I went to the Crocs website and they are recommended by doctors for plantar fascitis.

I am going to invest in a pair of Crocs because I trust the expertise of the other nurses.

Standing for long periods will increase the symptoms. Walking doesn't aggravate the symptoms as much as standing in one spot. When you find the right shoes, you will find relief.

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

my mom also has plantar fascitis, and the only shoes she will put on her feet are birkinstocks and crocs... she can go to work and work all day and be fine! it might be worth the investment in either one to see if they work! good luck!!

mendu · Jul 14, 2006

I'm so depressed... I've had this for 3-4 months now... I'm ready to kill myself...

i see there is more depth problem here also. i would suggest to talk to your medical provider and get help. tell him or her how your problem occupied your life style and how it makes you to feel !!! this can be serious and you need to take care about yourself.

you may always try what other members suggets but take care about your emotional state also. i believe you find your way out. best wishes.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Hi Fellow nurses...
I'm a 22 year old female nurse with plantar fasciitis (heel pain) bilateraly. This has prevented me from working in the hospital, grocery shopping, renting videos, etc. I've tried many conservative methods and none are working for me at this point. Now I'm doing Physical therapy, and I think it just got worse. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't want to have surgery because my pain isn't as bad, there isn't even pain upon palpation on my feet. It just hurts when I walk, and walking is a big part of nursing and overall life. My quality of life has just reduced. I'm so depressed... I've had this for 3-4 months now... I'm ready to kill myself...

I am confused here. You don't want to have surgery to correct this problem as the "pain isn't as bad", yet you're ready to kill yourself? I would urge you to talk with your doctor about ALL aspects of your pain, including the contradictory feelings you have.

I have a chronic problem with foot/ankle pain and the flat shoes are fine, but I have found that a heel lift works wonders.

tvccrn

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Pain is affecting my quality of life as well. I am a 25 year-old female who started experiencing 'neurogenic claudication' in my right leg last year any time I ambulated. It has persisted to this day.

I am unable to walk in excess of half a mile before I begin experiencing sharp pain that radiates down the back of my right leg. I used to run 5 miles daily and weigh 116 pounds as recently as three years ago, but now I weigh 200 pounds and am unable to exercise with this constant pain. I spent a fortune on chiropractic recently, and it was to no avail. The results were minimal. I am now thinking of surgical intervention.

Melina · Jul 14, 2006

Has anyone ever heard of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)? Extracorporeal shockwave treatment, also known as ESWT, is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. Shockwaves are generated from a special ESWT device, and focused onto the targeted tissue. It is the procedure that pulverizes kidney stones through the use of shockwaves directed at the stones through a water medium. As the force of a shockwave causes the disintegration of the kidney stone, so does the acoustic energy promote healing in the distressed foot tissue. I don't know much about it personally, but my podiatrist uses it with good results.

I have foot pain myself, due to bilateral metatarsal adductus. I really feel for you.

~Melina

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Sorry you are in pain. I can relate ! I had the same thing and suffered with it for a long time. Went to a podiatrist and he taped my foot for a period and it didn't help. I went to another highly recommeded podiatrist and he gave me a cortisone injection in the effected heel. I felt relief immediately. Wow...what a difference it made in my attitude ! Pain has a way of changing lives and personalties doesn't it ? The doc also sold me a pair of inserts for my shoes that cost $ 20 bucks. With the inserts and the shot....I was ready to get back to living again. Why don't you try to find a good podiatrist and see what they can offer you. Good luck to you.

ps: :blushkiss You are going to be okay. Hang in there !

LPN 90:nurse:

LearningRN · Jul 14, 2006

Everyone, thanks for your kind responses. I've tried zcoil shoes, birki's (which helps), corral calcium, soy milk, stretching, massages, icing, and now PT. In reponse for the reply to tvccrn. My feet pain isn't enough to warrant the surgery which is very serious and has more adverse effects than good (according to the doctor). So the trade off isn't worth it. Please pray for me... What experiences have you all had? What was worked? Thanks again for your time...

Pedi-ER-RN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

I have the same thing and Crocs have made a HUGE difference in the pain. I never would've believed that a 30-40 dollar shoe would help the pain. I was previously buying Merrell's and Birki's. Give Crocs a try.

kat911 · Jul 15, 2006

I have the same thing and Crocs have made a HUGE difference in the pain. I never would've believed that a 30-40 dollar shoe would help the pain. I was previously buying Merrell's and Birki's. Give Crocs a try.

I agree completely about the Corc's, as a nurse for 28 years I have tried many; different shoes and nothing really helped my feet until I put on a pair of crocs. That is all I wear now. Between plantar fasciatis and achilles tendonitis I was miserable. For 30 bucks the croc's are worth trying. You have to find what works for you. For some the right shoe, for some an orthotic insert will work. I tried the podiatrist and everything he did helped some but not long term. Taping, new balance shoes $$$, birkes$$$, boot,, etc. Nothing worked until Croc's. Good luck. Oh don't go barefoot, find a good shoe and wear all the time!

Jolie, BSN · Jul 15, 2006

May I ask what type of healthcare provider you have been seeing (primary MD, orthopod, or podiatrist?)

The reason I ask is that I know of literally a dozen people who have plantar fasciitis and other types of heel pain, and without exception, those who have seen podiatrists have had the best treatment results. I don't mean to bash any healthcare provider because all have their strengths and weaknesses, but for this particular problem, I strongly believe that most medical and surgical physicians are ill prepared to treat it. Podiatrists, in my opinion are the specialist to see for this problem, and most seem to have an excellent non-surgical track record of treatment.