Help for plantar fasciitis

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery. Transferring to ICU.

Does anyone have a particular shoe they prefer for heel pain? Right now I am wearing crocs. They are soft so, they help some but it is agony during a 12 hour shift. Any Suggestions??????

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

In my experience, inserts are important in relieving pain, since they support the arch and cushion the heels.

I agree that Crocs are soft and comfy, but don't think they offer the needed support.

I would recommend taking along a new pair of inserts while shoe shopping, and finding a pair that fit well with the inserts in place.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I wore Crocs for one 12 hour shift and haven't done it since. My feet were killing me by the end. Agree w/ Jolie that they don't offer the support PF sufferers need for work, at least not for me. I wear them at home and do fine.

I now swear by Nike Shox and would not wear anything else to work in. That's just me and my feet.

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I dealt with the same problem for about 6mo after starting 12hr shifts. I started with Nike Shox and eventually had to invest in a pair of Zcoils. I really wish I had done this earlier! Made all the difference! Cost about $225 dollars and also had inserts fitted with them. Not the prettiest shoes but the benefit outweighs fashion anyday. When I get home in the am, I also take frozen water bottles and role them under my feet and I stretch really well when I wake up b/f standing. I honestly believe the shoes saved my feet. Still tender at times and I never walk barefoot. Wear slippers. Would recommend the shoes to my worst enemy cause I would hate for anyone to hurt like I was before I bought them. Good luck! Hope you find some relief!:nurse:

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I would recommend well fitted insoles. Thats what helps me.

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i agree with everyone. It's all about the inserts. Find some shoes with removable insoles. And then buy some insoles. A good running shoe store should be able to help you. I had to try on a couple of different insoles to find one that fits my feet.

Malia

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Anyone with PF ever wear the night-splints to sleep in? (they keep your foot at a 90-degree angle to help keep you from tightening up) I don't have PF issues, but the night splints seemed to help my husband.

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Hi. Night splints work great. In fact, I think they are the most important component to fixing PF.:twocents:

PF is just like tennis elbow. It's the stretching and tearing of the fascia tendon where it inserts into multiple places on the bottom (plantar) of the foot.

While we sleep, we plantarflex our feet (point toes slightly) so the healing takes place with the fascia in the shortest position. Then, each morning we stand up, stretch and rip all the new, fragile healing. Ow!

With a nightsplint, the foot is kept in a neutral position, between plantarflex and dorsiflexed. The healing that takes place during rest is not torn when we stand up.

The dorsal nightsplints (front of leg/top of foot) are about 100 times more comfortable than the conventional behind the leg night splints.

Runners/walkers stretches about four times a day are also important and then supportive insoles are great too IF you wear then inside a support shoe. Be careful. Those inserts take up at least a width of the shoe so if your feet get squished, they won't get enough circulation leading to fatigue.

Since I had Plantar Fasciitis, I wear the NewBalance 926. :up: Not great looking but I feel great after a 12 hour shift.

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I have found that a great OTC insole is Superfeet. They really made a difference for my PF.

Unfortunately, I waited too long and ended up with bone spurs and had to wear those night splint and get cortisone shots. As much as the shots killed me, it is what cured my pain!! I don't even have to wear the night splints anymore.

Here is there website:

SUPERFEET

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The cortisone injections do minimize the pain because they reduce the inflammation. But steroids hinder healing. The studies are showing that the long range results are worse in PF than those who did not get injections. That is why there is a maximum of 3 injections for this.

But the docs can't bill nearly as much for telling you to stretch and wear night splints as they can for cortisone injections. So, as long as there's $$$ to be made, there will be cortisone injections for PF.

I hope your healed PF is permenant. My fellow nurses deserve the BEST!

I'm completely healed also now.

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