Plantar Fasciitis…What A Pain!

[OK-944]

What a royal pain this has been! Started about six months ago - I think during a canoe camping trip my wife and I undertook in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA)…where I’d been a naturalist/guide back in 1976. Fast forward to last summer, and at 67yrs. I’m once again hauling gear (albeit lighter loads than in years past) over some pretty rough portages - and shortly after returning home I started to feel the pain on the bottom of my left heel.

Since then its been up and down…with some days being more or less pain-free, and others not so much. I’ve tried massaging and icing my heel, and have recently incorporated a pair of Dr. Scholl’s “Plantar Fasciitis” inserts into my walking shoes - which have certainly helped, but I’m still not sure that I’m on the mend, and as someone who “lives to walk, and walks to live” this is getting depressing…plus the typical bit of extra “holiday weight” is now proving especially difficult to lose as my daily walks have been curtailed.

At any rate…while I do realize that its high time for me to consult with my doctor, I’m also wanting to know if anyone here has had experience with Plantar Fasciitis, and what may (or may not) have worked to help affect a cure. I’m not ready to give up on hiking, backpacking, canoe-camping, and hauling my large format film photography gear around, just yet…so truly want to get over this!

[upsscott]

Just got done with a two month off work stint due to PF. I’ve been dealing with it for years and when I had to crawl to the bathroom in the middle of the night I knew it was time to consult a doctor, other than the occasional cortisone shot. By occasional I mean I usually get a shot in my foot 3 times a year. This time my doctor refused to do it because the cortisone is probably doing more harm than good at this point. So the only course of treatment was time off and physical therapy. Now my foot feels much better. Daily stretching and good shoes are extremely important.

[gduke2010]

You need to do some stretching, like at least 3 times a day. Look up plantar fasciitis on Youtube and start doing the exercises. It took me 6 months to get rid plantar fasciitis. Also, consult your doctor. He might give you exercises or send you to a specialist. Sometimes there's a long waiting list to see specialists. So, you might want to start as soon as possible. When you see the doctor or physical therapist, they will start you on an exercise routine and do them every day.

You can buy shoe inserts that will help, and there's a boot to wear at night the keeps your feet from curling. It keeps your calf muscle stretched so, your not so sore in the mornings when the stiffness and pain is worst.

[Baz]

FYI: when I had it, wearing my Crocs really helped....

[cstreit]

I had it bad. Dreaded that first step out of bed in the morning that felt like someone stabbing me in the arch. Tried everything non-medicinal.

What finally cured it was a 4-5 day course of Aleve. The issue is that the tendon swelling aggravates the nerves - which aggravates the tendon and inflames it, which aggravates the nerve.....

Gotta break the cycle.

If I got it again - I'd probably soak my feet in ice water 3-5 times per day for 10 minutes and see if that worked.

[neunelf Kraut]

This book will help


https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Free-Revolutionary-Stopping-Chronic/dp/0553379887/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=94OARI344DAR&keywords=pain+free+book+by+pete+egoscue&qid=1642365826&sprefix=pain+free%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1

[masraum]

Do a search, there must be at least half a dozen long threads on PF here on the board with guys discussing what they've done and recommendations from our resident Foot Dr.

[porsche tech]

When I had it years ago, the dr prescribed a boot and exercises. When I went to the boot guy to get the boot, he basically told me the boot wasn’t going to do anything and described the same exercises the dr prescribed. Do the exercises.

[masraum]

Here's a little reading for you.

Plantar Fasciitis

OK let’s talk about Plantar Phasitis

Plantar Fasciitis Advice

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

When I had it years ago, the dr prescribed a boot and exercises. When I went to the boot guy to get the boot, he basically told me the boot wasn’t going to do anything and described the same exercises the dr prescribed. Do the exercises.

The boot did nothing for me. The PT would tape my feet a couple of times a week. That helped. Stretching the whole foot and Achilles was what really helped me. That and not walking ten miles a day at work.

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[911_Dude]

I had it bad in my left foot for several months. It completely killed my running and walking routine for awhile. Use some anti-inflamitory like Aleve, and do plenty of stretching.
Here are the two products I used for my plantar fasciitis. Once I started stretching it was gone in a month or two. Oh, and get a new pair of shoes. Those old worn out shoes
that fit so well are not helping.

The sandals I just wore around the house. To ugly to wear outside, but they work: https://www.thehealingsole.com/products/mens-the-healing-sole

And this foot stretcher is very isolating for hamstring and arch tendons and muscles: https://medi-dyne.com/products/prostretch-original-single?variant=11015995523115&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&keyword_session_id=vt~adwords%7Ckt~%7Cmt~%7Cta~538 731052237&_vsrefdom=wordstream&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIisagkPPc8wIVjIzICh1tNQ9OEAQYAyAB EgIq3fD_BwE

Both are on Amazon or by direct. I used the foot rocker before and after a run or walk.

I would much rather try this route than get shots or surgery. Good luck.