I developed plantar fasciitis about two years ago. It makes my foot hurt like crazy, especially when I first get up in the morning. I have been wearing some good boots and using some excellent gel insoles in an effort to ease the pain this condition causes me. When my foot hurts, I stand and walk all wonky, so my hip hurts also.
I have not experienced too much trouble with it this season, but last week I worked for three days in a row at the entrance station. Yesterday, my foot hurt really bad.
When Fabgrandpa and I went out to dinner for our anniversary, he dropped me off at the front door to the lodge, and then went to park the truck. After dinner, he walked back to the parking lot and got the truck, then came to pick me up. That doesn’t happen every day–but it shows you how much my foot was hurting.
Back in February, I talked to me doctor in Alabama about this. He prescribed a medication that is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory combined–etodolac. It does help, but this time it hasn’t helped as much. Dr. Samouy also said if it got worse, he could give me a shot in my heel that would help. So, today, I called the Kane County Medical Clinic and made an appointment to go next week and get that shot. I can not imagine getting a needle stuck anywhere in the bottom of my foot! So, my question is, have any of you, my readers, ever had this condition? Have you had the shot for it? If so, did it hurt for long? Did the shot help you with the pain and discomfort you were experiencing with the plantar fasciitis? And can you recommend a good manufacturer of orthopedic shoes?
Dee says
July 19, 2011 at 2:39 pmI don’t have plantar fasciatis but do have heel spurs. I had a cortisone injection in my heels 3 times and even though it hurt like the dickens while that needle was in there it did relieve the pain. It took one injection in one foot and 2 in the others and it’s been over 20 years with no further problems.
Fab Grandma says
July 20, 2011 at 9:58 pmThanks for the info. I am hoping I only have to get a shot one time.
Susie says
July 19, 2011 at 3:16 pmI have had plantar fasciatis which is caused my heal spurs. It’s where the tendon can become inflamed and start having micro tears in it causing it to bleed and form crystals that build into heal spurs. I had the shot(s) and then the Dr. made a cast of the bottom of my feet and I had orthodic made and wore them in my shoes for two to three years. The purpose of the orthodic is to keep the tendon from colapsing and causing it to bleed and crystalize. This was back in 1996. Since that time I have had no further problems. My orthodic was a made from a hard plastic and fit only my heal to about mid foot.
The shot will sting just a bit, sort of like a little bee sting. They will numb the bottom of your foot with a cold spray of canned air or something like that to freeze the area. I had it done twice and afterwards they put like a doughnut type of apparatis around the shot area to give it cushion. After you get the shot go home and prop your foot up and try to stay off it for the remainder of the day.
I hope this helps you.
Fab Grandma says
July 20, 2011 at 9:58 pmThanks, Susie. I really appreciate the information.
Marilyn says
July 19, 2011 at 3:40 pmMy husb broke his heel bone in ’08 and at the same time I had plantar fasciatis. I went to the foot doc telling him someone had to be able to walk in this family — he gave me the shot. Happy to say I have not had another prob. Also he told me to take a towel, put it around the bottom of my foot & pull my foot to stretch it before I ever get out of bed in the morning. Also, I took a plastic water bottle, froze the water and rolled my foot over that — it helped tremendously! Do not plan on doing anything after the shot because once the feeling comes back, it will HURT so you need to stay off it and keep it propped up, but it will feel much better the next day. Good luck — will be watching your blog for an update!
Fab Grandma says
July 20, 2011 at 9:59 pmI am going to have to freeze a water bottle now. That sounds like it would be heavenly right now.
Sandra says
July 19, 2011 at 3:52 pmI have had plantar fascitis since last November. I bought some Crocs for wearing around the house. You always want to be wearing shoes no matter where you are if you’re walking at all. I complained to the chiropractor about it and he has done some work on my foot by pressing on my instep YOW! He also told me to roll it my foot on something. I used a can of soup. Also he suggested ice so I roll it on a frozen bottle of water. I found that really helps. It’s only been the last 3 wks or so that I’ve seen relief and believe me, it’s welcome!
Cheryl says
July 19, 2011 at 9:36 pmOuch! Lots of good advice above – I too have had it. I had to get the custom made orthotics also. They are quite expensive but it was the only thing that helped. I didn’t try the shots. Stretching your foot (toes to nose – just like when you were pregnant and had charley horses in the middle of the night!!) – towel works great. I also can’t go around barefoot and I can only wear sandals/ flipflops with arch supports around the house. You will find that if you switch to custom orthotics, always wear some sort of shoe with padding/arches, you will be much happier. While the gel insoles and things feel nice on the bottom of the feet, it doesn’t support the arches like you have to have. Good Luck!!
Theresa Mitchell says
July 19, 2011 at 10:38 pmI didn’t have the shots, but my doctor used some sort of heat massage on my heel. I also had the Heel orthopedic device. Can’t remember but I know it was $$$ but my insurance paid for it. I am diabetic, so I always have trouble with my feet, and ALWAYS wear socks and shoes. I buy SAS shoes, they work just as good as the ones Medicare will pay for. They are about $100.00 not but never wear out!
Martha says
July 19, 2011 at 11:02 pmI suffered with foot pain for several years and all the doctor I was going to did was give me the shot. That hurt like hell. I changed doctors and the new one made the casts of my feet and the hard plastic orthotics. I got a pair of good Nike walking shoes a size larger and started wearing the orthotics. I don’t remember how long it took but I haven’t had to have another shot and that was at least 15 years ago. I still wear them in my tennis shoes if I am going to do much walking. The orthotics are expensive but well worth it. The rest of the time I usually wear Clark shoes and sandals. That is my favorite brand of shoe.
diane says
July 20, 2011 at 4:57 amI have never heard of it but I hope you can get it fixed soon. Bill often has a sore foot when he first gets up. I wonder if it is plantar fasciatis.
Fab Grandma says
July 20, 2011 at 10:00 pmHe could have it. My foot hurts worse first thing in the morning, and after I have stood all day long.
Pam Ridgely says
July 20, 2011 at 10:44 amHi, been following your blog for a couple years…great. I have had the shot, don’t remember it being too bad, but did get relief. I find the best way to help is to wear good, supporting shoes. Don’t have to get special orthotics….I have alway found them very uncomfortable. I have had good results with some of the over the counter supports/insterts.
I like Asics tennis shoes, expensive, but was told by a Dr. they are good for plantar fascitis. Also wear a good sandal with a thicker sole and some arch support…..no more cutesy shoes for me….it’s tough getting old.
Susan Adcox says
July 20, 2011 at 12:35 pmit also helps to stay off your feet to help the stretched-out tissues return to normal. I know that will be difficult for you.
Linda Diane Hoffman says
July 20, 2011 at 12:48 pmI think I have PF also, but have found tremendous relief by wearning Skechers Shape-ups. Of course, many other manufacturers now make shoes with that type of structure. My daughter, the Pitates instructor, had advised me to perhaps stand with a board under my toes while working on my feet all day. The shoes allow me stand that way or exercise my feet and legs as I work.
Fab Grandma says
July 20, 2011 at 10:00 pmThe board thing sound easy enough. I may try that this week while I wait for my appointment day.
Mary Lou Merritt says
July 21, 2011 at 8:40 amI know PF can be painful! I heard it enough times after being married 24 years to a Podiatrist. PLEASE go to a Board Certified Podiatrist, not your regular doctor!!! He or she will give you the best solutions. I knew a lot of people who swore by Birkenstock shoes, especially in the middle of the night and a.m. And the frozen bottle of water is a good one, as is the towel. Custom made orthotics which are lifetime guaranteed are expensive, but worth it. The podiatrist will tell you the best shoes to wear and many even order specialized shoes through their offices or will recommend ones.
When your feet hurt, everything hurts! Patients use to treat my ex like God and told me so! (No wonder he got a God-complex). Not saying there is a surgery that can relieve your pain, but you would be surprised how many people suffer needlessly with foot and ankle pain and surgery can take care of it—but go to a Podiatrist Board Certified in Surgery!
I’ve had shots, surgery on bunions and both were successful.
Bless you Fab Grandma!
Mary Lou
Amanda says
July 22, 2011 at 3:48 pmI have had plantar fascitis for about 11 years now. I’ve had shots, splints, inserts, physical therapy, and the threat of surgery. I’ve gone to two podiatrists and three orthopedics.
The shots hurt – I’m not gonna sugar coat it – but it’s the only real relief I’ve ever had. Getting that tendon stretched out is what helps the most. I use the towel technique everyday and have another fun way to stretch and strengthen the area. Get some marbles, pour them on the floor on a towel (so they won’t go too far) and then pick them up with your toes and put them into a container. I use a plaster container with a lid that I use just for this purpose that I store the marbles in when I’m not picking them up. Also a variation on the towel stretch is to bunch the towel up on the floor and pick it up with your toes over and over. Again, it sounds funny but it will stretch that tendon out and strengthen the muscles in your foot.
As for shoes, I’m 41 and I gave up cute shoes 11 years ago when this started.. I wear Brooks sneakers and Finn Comfort sandals. The sandals are ugly as sin and cost about $400 bucks but they sure do feel good to walk in. My podiatrist recommended the sneakers. They are cute and about $100 and may be covered by Medicare.
Oh! The frozen water bottle is wonderful when you get a flare up and will help with the inflammation that makes everything hurt so bad.
Hope you get some relief soon.
taz says
July 23, 2011 at 5:11 pmI have had this problem and i swear by Birkenstock shoes. It helped my feet heal. I couldn’t walk on them in the morning and I bought the real things…and within a week, no more pain. It was worth trying because I really try to do without antibiotics and meds as much as possible.
Good luck. It’s scary, sometimes.
Sunni says
July 24, 2011 at 7:12 pmI have had this problem. I have had it so bad that I could not walk, which sounds like the point you are almost at. I had acortisone shot in my foot, which did little to help. It worked after about three weeks, then it began to hurt again. What FINALLY solved my problem was cold ultra sound treatments. I went to the PT for month, twice a week and have had no problems since. I hope you try this, as I know it will help alot and you won’t be wasting money for something that will or will not work. Good luck.
goli says
July 27, 2011 at 9:18 pmI’ve had it twice in the past 5 years. The first time it was in both feet and it made if VERY difficult to get around. It would hurt when I got up in the morning, but also after I had been sitting for any period longer than 15 minutes or so. That lasted about 8 months and then it just went away.
It came back in one foot last fall and is still giving me problems. I have hairline cracks in some of the bones in my feet and ankle because of trying to compensate and not walk on my heel. They kept getting re-injured because of the way I was walking, so the PF flared up when I’d walk with all my weight on my heel again. I’m finally to the point where I can walk more than a little ways comfortably without it causing major pain or stiffness. Still hurts, but I don’t have to limit my outings because of my foot. I usually wear Born sandals or Nike tennis shoes when I’m out and about.
Some things that have worked to lessen the pain for me:
–Wearing flat, no frills flip flops in the house and NEVER going barefoot on any hard surface (grass is ok for me). I tried cushy house shoes inside, but they ended up hurting more than the flip flops. I don’t even step on the floor when I get out of bed; instead I step on a soft rug or right into my flip flops before I stand up. Not everybody agrees with wearing these, but it has been the best thing for me.
–Doing the stretches before I get up and move around. There are some good pages on youtube that walk you through the exercises that can help.
–Anti-inflammatory OTC medicine to take the edge off, especially if I know I’m going to be walking a lot during the day.
–Most importantly– losing weight. Being heavy is one of the most common characteristics of people who have PF. I’m convinced that mine was caused by playing sports for so many years and then later being too heavy.
Good luck with treating your pain. I hope you get it resolved soon!
Gnightgirl says
July 28, 2011 at 11:54 amI have plantar fasciitis, under control now. It did cause heel spurs and achilles problems, and a myriad of other stuff because I let it go. I got the needle in the foot…if you haven’t had it yet, just don’t look at it!
Google “Foot Rubz”…a little rubber ball with nubbies on it, to roll under the arch of your foot and stretch out that plantar fascia. I just kept one under my desk at work, never even picked the thing up. It works great, feels good, but healing is still pretty time consuming.
Orthaheel flip flops are pricey, but they feel like heaven. I’m otherwise always on the lookout for shoes with high arches in them–that don’t cost $300!
Good luck!