Heel pain reducing my quality of life...

LearningRN · Jul 15, 2006

I've gone to a podiatrist. Thanks again for the replies... Will this ever go away though? I've heard that it may be permanent...

shmily · Jul 15, 2006

I had it for a couple of years. It was horrible! I did not see a PT or a podiatrist though. I tried several different shoes, then I went to roadrunnersports.com and found the "perfect" shoe for my build and arch type. No more problems going on 3 years!!

cannoli · Jul 15, 2006

You might want to do a search, there have been a lot of other threads about this. One poster recommended this site

http://heelspurs.com/index.html

I think those stretching exercises help, done before getting out of bed in the morning, and before getting up at night to use to bathroom.

pammyrn · Jul 15, 2006

i've also suffered a great deal from heel pain..wore dansko's working 12 hour shifts..saw my podiatrist,he took xrays,determined i had heel spurs/plantar fasciatis,received a cortisone injection and shoe inserts,worked great for about 5-6 months,just recently pain returned went back to my podiatrist received a 2nd cortisone injection did'nt relieve pain for a few days was also fitted for orthotics {$300.00} best money i ever spent..maybe you should see a different podiatrist does'nt sound like your doc was too helpful.also suppose to do stretches to feet/heel regularly and use ice packs when having increased pain..per my doc i am to wear supportive sneaks at all times {housecleaning/lounging around etc}..

judyblueeyes · Jul 15, 2006

I use the taping method on heelspurs.com and have had excellent results.

I used it inconsistanly and had the pain come and go. I'm now in week 2 of a 4 week taping program and am feeling hopeful that I can cure the problem.

I hardly gave my sore foot a second thought this week which hasn't happened in a long time.

scrmblr · Jul 15, 2006

I slept in a brace every night for 3 months. It holds your foot in the flexed position. Doesn't let your feet "drop"

stretching. Heel cord stretches. standing on the step and letting your heel drop...But, I'm sure you have been doing this in PT.

Aleve, good shoes, my brace, stretching, and orthotic inserts worked miracles for me.

Best of luck!

chaosRN, ASN, RN · Jul 15, 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...

I was dx with plantar facitis (sp?) a few years ago. Mine may not be severe because it comes and goes. A few of my coworkers also have it. I can't tell you what will work for you, (see your podiatrist), but I'll tell you what has worked for us. We all agree that having high arched shoes (whatever the brand) feels best. I'm going to buy Dansko shoes next. People love them & say they have high arches. I think with shoes it's a trial and error thing. I love my crocs, however, I can't wear them for more than one 12 hr shift a week.

I keep a tennis ball in a zip lock in my freezer. Some mornings, if I wake up with painful feet or after a long 12 hr day and my feet are tired, I take the tennis ball and roll it to the front and back of my feet (sitting down of course). You know, step on it (sitting down) and roll it on your feet over a towel or something. (It's frozen, cold, slippery, like ice) My podiatrist recommended it. Works for me, not some coworkers.

Please go back to your podiatrist and tell him/her how this is affecting your life. There is something that will help make your feet feel better. You (along with your md) just need to find it.

Good luck & happy feet!!!

LearningRN · Jul 15, 2006

Hi again everyone and thanks again for your kind replies. Is this permanent? How do I know if I'm getting better? I would expect that everyday I'll experience some time of relief or gradual reduction of pain, but I don't. It just feels like the same old pain. As if I'm not getting better. Is this normal? Thanks again everyone. Also, whenever I go to a podiatrist they seem to dismiss me because my pain isn't as bad compared to other people who have it but the pain is enough to keep me from walking 12 hour shifts or from walking around in a grocery store. Please help... I need your prayers...

Charity, RN, APRN · Jul 15, 2006

The night brace has worked wonders for me. Keeps my foot flexed properly. Reminds me of putting high-top tennis shoes on ICU patients to prevent foot drop back in the day!

Am also thinking about giving accupuncture a try. Our pain service offers it for chronic pain. Then there is Botox.

Read this http://www.healthnewsexpress.com/Articles2006/HeelPain.aspx the other day and also found in interesting. No specifically about plantar fascitis, but heel pain.

lannisz · Jul 15, 2006

It's not permanent sweetie, sometimes it just takes time which is SO frustrating. It's very painful, I know. I had it for a year, and had tried everything (icing, orthotics, expensive shoes...blah blah) I can't take NSAIDS. What worked best for me was seeing the podiatrist and getting a cortisone shot. In addition, Accupuncture made a HUGE difference. Also, just having a period of time when I was off my feet due to a hysterectomy gave things a chance to heal. Then, when I was getting back in shape after that surgery, I was swimming almost every day at the gym. By chance, I realized that swimming did the best job at stretching my muscles! I have kept swimming. Occasionally I have a little flare up if I wear bad shoes. Once you get better, be sure to always wear correct footwear with orthotic inserts. Don't go barefoot. I wear Tevas at home, even when I get out of bed I slip them on. Good luck and be patient with yourself. Hugs.

chaosRN, ASN, RN · Jul 15, 2006

Hi again everyone and thanks again for your kind replies. Is this permanent? How do I know if I'm getting better? I would expect that everyday I'll experience some time of relief or gradual reduction of pain, but I don't. It just feels like the same old pain. As if I'm not getting better. Is this normal? Thanks again everyone. Also, whenever I go to a podiatrist they seem to dismiss me because my pain isn't as bad compared to other people who have it but the pain is enough to keep me from walking 12 hour shifts or from walking around in a grocery store. Please help... I need your prayers...

:angryfire It just burns me up when a doctor will not listen to the patient when the issue is affecting daily life!!!

You really need to find a podiatrist who will listen to you. It may take some searching, but keep on. Tell them it is affecting you this much.

I can't tell you what "normal" is, but I originally went to the podiatrist because I was hurting so bad, I was almost in tears after a 12 hr shift. He fitted me with a special arched insole I wear with almost every type of shoe I put on. Has your podiatrist mentioned this? I say my plantar facitis may not be severe now, because I rarely have very painful days. I think mine is manageable. I do have bad days, but not often. I would think you know if you're getting better because your feet wouldn't hurt so bad.

I can feel your pain :bluecry1: and wish you luck on finding a MD who will listen to you.

:wink2:

CyndieRN2007 · Aug 25, 2006

Lordy, I just got the cortisone shot today in rt heel. Didnt hurt much, not even really that sore now (about 5 hours post injection). I have bilateral plantar fasciitis and the doc would only inject one at a time. I felt more comfy at work wearing the crocs, but the doc said its doing more damage than good. All I know is it feels good when I'm wearing them.