my POOR feet!

[mel1977]

I am pretty sure I have plantar faciitis-and it sucks. I used to wear regular tennis shoes to work until this past year. I had to have white shoes for school and at some point, I don't know when, it hit really badly. SO, mom bought me birkies with the cork insert. They were much better but then my heels were hurting horribly at clinicals. I was exceeding the amt of tylenol and motrin just to make it through clinicals (was really bad when I was just observing and standing in one spot). I ended up having to pad my birkies. So, on a whim I tried crocs. I thought I was in heaven. Instantly my heel pain went away and the calf pain subsided. Well, now my heels are slightly hurting again, my knees are horrible. I just don't know how to feel better. I do have hyperextended knees from a cheering mis=jump twelve years ago and I stand heavy on my heels so that doesn't help. I have new balance tennis shoes which hurt me. Any suggestions for good supportive cushiony tennis shoes?

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

I suffered from it for years. Went to a great podiatrist and got a cortisone shot right in the heel area twice and have been good as new ever since.

I guess the inflamation was never going to calm down until the steroids got a hold of it. It sounds painful, but it was worth the momentary pain for long term relief. My suggestion...see a good pod ! Good luck !

[AfloydRN, BSN, RN]

Try Birkenstock shoes. I know they are expensive, but can you really put a price on being pain- free. I too have plantarfascitis and have been pain free since the day I slipped them on. No meds, special hosiery, just change shoes. They are a little weird feeling @ first, but in a few days you will wonder what took you so long.

[canuckeh!]

It might be worth your time to do a search on previous threads re plantar fasciitis.

Rather than focussing on shoes as the solution to your problem, it would be wise to look into the cause of the pain and correct it.

Often, we have tight calf muscles which shorten up, pull up on the achilles tendon, which in turn pulls up on the plantar fascia.

Physiotherapy may be helpful both to teach you the proper stretching exercises, and also for other therapies, e.g ultrasound etc.

I found that doing the stretching regularly(including at work during my shift)totally resolved my pain. I have had no flareups for more than 10 years and I could barely hobble before because of the pain.

[SaraO'Hara]

I've found that NurseMates with an OTC arch support works pretty darn well.