Plantar Facilitis ideas welcome to deal with this!

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 28. May 2011, 10:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

Does anyone have this or have had this? The specialist tells me this is what I have. It is making walking difficult and painful. I've taken his advice and bought some sorbathane heel pads. I'm using icepacks too. If you've had it before then let me know what helped you.

I've had this problem since I had my TKR in February 2010.

Many thanks.

Sharmaine

Comments

  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    I'm not sure if what I have had is plantar fascitis like yours but I have had real problems with the bottom of my feet in the past when my RA has been misbehaving and it has made walking really excrutiating sometimes. I never really found a complete solution but things that have helped are:

    Wearing several pairs of socks, to cushion the bottom of my feet (you can sometimes buy sports socks - usually mens' socks - with padded soles and I found these helpful).

    Buying shoes with really thick, shock absorbing soles. I live in my "Merrill" shoes for that very reason. They are not pretty, but they really do make walking more comfortable. The other alternative footwear might be "proper" trainers with good, shock absorbing foot support.

    Could you ask to see a podiatrist to have some custom-made insoles? Mine weren't a great success I have to say but you might have better luck.

    Really hope you can find some relief with this.

    Love Tilly xxx
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have just been told I have this along with my achilles tendonitis. I shall watch the replies with interest, as other than not using your feet, I haven't had much success!!! :shock:

    I am waiting for a referral to physio as I wonder if some sort of stretching exercise may help, it feels as if everything is too tight and curling up. my feet don't go flat anymore. The joys and pleasures we endure.

    I have tried hot water bottles under feet, ice packs, socks, memory foam slippers. The best thing is cushioned shoes I have to agree.

    Hope you have some success!
  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Oh plantar fascitis, not nice.
    I have this plus severe tendonitis. I was refered to physio by a podiatrist & they have also refered me for insoles or shoes, not heard anything yet.
    Ive just finished 5wks of physio on my feet & most of it was stretching excersises which i now have to carry on with. Has helped a bit.
    The Fascitis is the bit under your arch & mine has dropped causing pain when i walk & i was also getting cramp at night. My heels & ball of my feet hurt too & the tendon pulls as its too tight. The stretching excersises have helped loosen it off a bit but i still have pain & soreness.
    As already said, comfy footwear, insoles even in slippers, never walk barefooted, warm soaks can help.Rest them as much as possible & try not to drag your feet when you walk.

    Best to see a physio or podiatrist as the problem is one that requires treatment & will not just go away.
    I hope that helps you, debs
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine :grin:

    Welcome back, it is good to see you posting. :grin: I had wondered where you may be because at one time you posted quite often and we had a bit of banter about new knees. I thought perhaps you had both gone on a cruise and liked it so much, just extended and extended your holiday on the ship :wink::grin:

    I just googled "Plantar Fasciitis forum" and there is so much about this, that it must be a common complaint. There is loads of advice, from fellow sufferers, a bit like the AC forum, peeps dishing out ideas and what worked for them and what did not. Apparently it is like lots of ailments, what works for one, does not for another.

    Well worth having a look at these forums if you have the time and inclination and you can make up your own mind if you wish to try some of what is suggested.

    There are quite a few stretching exercises that people are talking about and a good few emphasise that it does help to stretch/massage the foot before getting out of bed. Also to freeze water in a bottle and roll the foot backwards and forwards on it. That is just a couple of tips from these forums.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • scozzie
    scozzie Member Posts: 333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine
    Sorry to hear you've got PF. I had it years ago and it's not fun. My tip would be to invest in good sensible shoes, with a straight last and arch support. Another tip I tried was to pick marbles or Bic pens up by curling your toes.
    Good luck
    Scozzie
  • madwestie
    madwestie Member Posts: 383
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sharmaine, my hubby had this adn after he tried the insoles he went back to the gp and had it injected.. he was really worried it would hurt a lot but actually it wasn't as bad as he thought and he has not had much trouble from it since (the injection was about 18 months ago) the gp did say that the injections don't work for everyone so he was one of the lucky ones.

    Hope you get on ok

    Tracey
  • theresa4
    theresa4 Member Posts: 696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My husband had this really bad. He swears by the exercises the physio gave him but he also had an NHS treatment called dry needling that took down the inflamation initially then he does the exercises to help keep it away now. Hw still occasionally has problems but at one point he couldnt walk at all without tears in his eyes.

    Hope it gets sorted soon
    Love Theresa
    There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those. --Michael Nolan



    Theresa xxx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    On the pf forums that I looked at, out of interest, the steroid injection was mentioned, as working for some people.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elna, Tilly, Suzy girl, minky etc!

    Thanks for replies. I've been using an ice pack the past few days and it helps a bit.
    I've been wearing the heel pads when I'm out. I agree about the slippers. I think I'm going to have to invest in a good pair and put some heel pads in them. Mine are just too soft.

    I wore my MBTs for ages but can't wear them for long periods as it makes the foot worse. But I have other padded shoes - I don't think I've been able to wear flat shoes for some time. When you have OA in the knees flat shoes are a definite no go agrea.
    Thanks for looking at the forums for me Elna. I had a quick look too. I like the idea of the padded socks and wearing a few pairs at a time. I found since I had my operation and OA my feet get really cold - never had this before. I've got some lovely pure woollen socks which I wear during the winter.

    I'll let you know what helps and I'll try the exercise. I often wonder if I have OA in my
    toes because they get stiff and sore too. Bloomin' OA - I wish they would find a way to eradicate it!

    Take care folks. I've had my break so I'm off to splash some more paint on myself.

    Love
    Sharmaine

    PS Elna - the idea of a six month cruise sounds fine. The last cruise we went on was only for 4 days and I put on about 10 pounds!!! The food was just too yummy.
    Mind you it was also extremely relaxing.

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