Plantar Fasciitis - anybody had a dose of this, and how do you resolve it? Ta

[Spun Cuppa]

I injured my left ankle over a year ago, then, by jumping down off a low wall and landing with all my weight on my left foot, managed to tweak/rip the ligament joining my heel and five toes! OUCH!

I'm seeing an orthopaedic specialist in six weeks, so would like to go forearmed as to what my treatment options are, oh bringers-of-wisdom on NSC

Ta

 

[Common as Mook]

Keep a bottle of water in the freezer and roll your foot over it every night for about 5 - 10 minutes. You can also use a tennis ball if needs be.

Not nice, but it goes if you keep doing the above.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I wear a heal/arch support in the right shoe to help with the same affliction. Apparently it's self limiting after up to 18 months. Mine is improving with time, but its a slow process.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

Cheers guys

I have a bottle of frozen water in the freezer, so will now roll afflicted area on it as recommended

 

[supaseagull]

My wife has it. Has had hydrocortisone injections in her heel. Very painful!

 

[Spun Cuppa]

My wife has it. Has had hydrocortisone injections in her heel. Very painful!

 

[portlock seagull]

Stretches and lots of them that's the only prevention. Unfortunately you'll likely have trouble for life now if you don't maintain a combination of exercises, good shoes and supports. Time to get rid of the high heels I'm afraid

Awful thing to have, you have my sympathy. I get it after particularly long drives on and off the pedal if I'm not careful and it can take weeks to fully recover. So break your journey and do them stretches!

 

[Rambo]

Had it for about two years. Then suddenly went as quick as at came.

Touch wood no re occurrence yet.

Used to roll a golf ball under when watching TV.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Yes. I suffered from this really badly about 5 years ago in both feet. GP started with some steroid cream which didn't work. Then he suggested seeing a biomechanics specialist. She spent an hour or so inspecting me and measuring me and then gave me a set of exercises/stretches to do 3 times a day. If memory serves me correctly the ailment is micro-tears in the tendon which start to mend when the tendon is relaxed when you sleep. When you wake and step out of bed and put your foot at a right angle to your leg it's under tension and tears again...hence the pain in the morning which I presume you get? The idea behind the exercises is that if the tendon is supple/warmed up during the night and day it will begin heal. I did the exercises for a total of 6 months but noticed an improvement after 1-2 months. I'm now fully recovered and resumed my long distance running with no problems. I understand there is scar tissue on my tendons but it does not cause me any problems and I've fun 2 marathons as proof.

PM if you have any questions. The lady that sorted me out is highly iprecommended and does work for the Sussex cricket team.

 

[Silverhatch]

Golf ball under the foot and roll across the painful area (ow). Place foot in a bucket of ice water. Keep weight bearing and using the foot - even for very short periods when the pain's acute. Take volterol. Rub on ibuleve. It's a *******!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

My wife has it. Has had hydrocortisone injections in her heel. Very painful!

I was offered this but refused it. Glad I did as the doctor then referred me to a biomechanic who sorted me.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

I used to run until I did my ankle, and really missed it, then did this damage and can't distance walk now

I read being overweight is one of the causes, so am on a diet and 'will' shed four stone by Xmas

 

[Spun Cuppa]

Thanks for the advice HT. You are right in that when I get up in the morning and plant that foot, it hurts instantly. I'll try to go on the other first, if I can remember

 

[AZ Gull]

I injured my left ankle over a year ago, then, by jumping down off a low wall and landing with all my weight on my left foot, managed to tweak/rip the ligament joining my heel and five toes! OUCH!

I'm seeing an orthopaedic specialist in six weeks, so would like to go forearmed as to what my treatment options are, oh bringers-of-wisdom on NSC

Ta

You are in good company. Currently suffering from the condition are Albert Pujols, and ..... my sister.

 

[RexCathedra]

Unfortunately my experience was pretty much what the doc said -- "Cortisone shots, and it's better in six months, exercises, and it's better in half a year. Do nothing and it'll be better by Christmas. (This was in july)

 

[ringmerseagulltoo]

Advice seems pretty consistent. I went to osteopath I trust for all sorts of ailments. He did some massage and gave me his lost golf ball to roll under my foot. He also provided some support insoles but spent considerable time adding wedges to them to ensure my ankle was perfectly upright when walking. Took a couple of months to clear properly and I always where the insoles now. No trouble for the past 8 years

Have patience, it will get sorted.

 

[bardo]

Yes, both my wife and I had it. Here are the things that made the most difference:

1) Calf stretches first thing every day. Even though the PF has stopped I still do these most days. It strengthens the main support for the plantar fascia tissue.

2) Wearing Crocs and/or trainers. Hated the thought of wearing crocs but my wife secretly bought me some and now I wear them all the time. There is a Crocs shop in Churchill Square and they do at least one range that doesn't look like a croc but more like a canvas shoe. Bought a second pair of these recently as I'd just worn the first pair out after a year's constant use.

3) Strapping the foot every day. I didn't but my wife did this every day and it helped her loads.

It takes a fair amount of time but it will get better if you're consistent with supporting the condition. That first step out of bed was the worst thing but eventually no more pain is the reward for persistence.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

If you're offered the injections have a long hard think about it. I did a lot of research into this and refused them as I was not convinced of the risk/benefit. It seemed a quick and somewhat lazy option from my GP which might have caused me problems with my running. I am glad I did as my GP then suggested I went down the biomechanics route which literally got me running again. At the time biomechanics was not available on the NHS hence he didn't initially suggest it.

 

[dougdeep]

The last time I put a bottle in the freezer it exploded and blew the door off.

 

[W.C.]

The iced bottle worked well for me.

Keep a tennis ball around to roll under your foot too.

I wore a simple support that seemed to help a little.

Also, I try to be careful with my walking/running form; try to walk more with the front of your feet, don't plant you heel flat down.

good luck!