BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis

Subject: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 10:47 AM

Or at least, so my doctor tells me. Started out as a slight pain under the heel which has got progressively worse. When I used to sing Old Dan Tucker I thought 'toothache in his heel' was a joke, but now I've got it and it sure aint.
My Doc was very relaxed about it 'It will go eventually'.
At least I can tell everyone it was a sporting injury!

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:12 AM

My husband has gotten great relief from an elastic band worn under the sock, at the arch. (Snugs up the innard parts.)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: kendall
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:26 AM

Not a very glamorous ailment, but sure is painful. Had it in both feet. It was made worse by a Dexter shoe that collapsed. They used to be made in Maine and were of top quality. Now, just more foreign junk. Sad.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:54 AM

Yes, I had it. Elastic around the arch does help a lot. Mine finally did just go away. If it doesn't after a year or so, there is surgery to repair it.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:59 AM

Kendall, follow that thought out a little more. Did you find shoes that helped with the problem (now that you've named shoes that apparently didn't help)?

Never had this, but over the years I've struggled with plantar warts. And then there was the bunion. . . this has been discussed elsewhere. Bottom line--pamper your feet. Wear good shoes of the right size.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Alice
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:59 AM

How, odd, this morning I thought of starting a thread on this because I've battled it for a year or more. Get a CUSTOM orthotic to fit in your shoe. Wear a good lace up supportive shoe with the insert whenever you are on your feet and it may go away in ... well, about a year.
The best price I've found if you don't have insurance to cover it is online at www.ourfootdoctor.com
Mine is constantly aggravated by the cement floors I have to work on. Good luck. It has really slowed me down and kept me from hiking and walking that I used to enjoy.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 12:16 PM

Exercise helps -- I know! -- and here's one: put a hand towel on the floor and put your toes on one short edge. Pull the towel toward you by scrunching it along the floor with your toes. After you do this a few times you won't need the towel.

It takes a while to make the pain go away, but it helps.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 12:53 PM

My (UK) doctor told me it used to be called "Policeman's Heel" because it was a common consequence of pounding the beat. Now they're mostly in cars, it doesn't arise so often.

I tried all sorts of inserts, nothing worked.

Then my boss recommended Clarks Active Air range of shoes.

Very comfy,and things improved greatly. I think they're called Air Borne in the US.

Now I wear a pair of "Blunnies" - Blundstones, made in Australia, wouldn't be without them. Available everywhere!

Best of Luck

LFF

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 01:09 PM

"Plantar fasciitis"   "plantar warts"

Same thing no?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 02:01 PM

NO!!!

"Plantar" just means it's a foot thing. A wart and a fasciitis are not the same thing. Googel it up to see what the plantar fascia is and what goes wrong there.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Alice
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 02:10 PM

Walking a lot on cement caused it for me. There is also a shoe that has an actual spring on the heel to absorb shock that is supposed to be very good for this problem.
http://www.zcoil.com/ Click here

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: AggieD
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 02:11 PM

Friend of mine had this, too much Morris dancing!

It went away after about 18 months of not doing too much dancing.

Good pair of shoes & good shock absorbing insoles help.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: DougR
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 03:05 PM

I've had it too. Good advice here.
DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: John Hardly
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 03:23 PM

My wife went through a long, bad spell of it. She had cortisone shots, went to physical therapy (and followed the exercises religiously), has orthotics.

Nothing helped...

...until she went to a doctor (not a chiropracter) who did manipulation massage.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Bobert
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 03:52 PM

1. Ya gotta stretch out the tendon back there unner yer heeel and to do this you need a step or a set of stairs. Now carefully back up as if you were going to do a backflip off the end of a diving board so that the fron t of yer foot is firmly on the step and the back half not. Now slowly lower the back of the foot where the step goes down. Do this 5-10 times twice a day...

2. Get some Berkenstock shoes... You may even have to use some of them shoe liners under the back half of yer foot for a while...

3. After it goeas away, continue with yer exercise program, wear yer Bweks and don't go barefoot...

4. Drink more water than you have been drinking and keep that up fir ever...

You do these things and it will go away and probably stay away!!!

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:09 PM

Sorry about the Blue Clicky, Bobert, but ya know . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Dave Swan
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:34 PM

Pedant alert. Plantar refers to the plantar aspect of the foot, the sole in other words. Plantar is to foot as palmar is to hand.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:39 PM

Cool.

Jowls is to jaw as howls is to haw.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Gypsy
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:44 PM

There are special shoes available by prescription....pretty trippy looking, they have a shock coil under the heel....exposed, of course. A friend (who is a teacher) got a pair, and they helped her enormously. There is also shock wave therapy, which will either work, instantly, or not. Nasty condition.......sure limits what you can do. I would go a long way with therapy before getting surgery, tho.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Gypsy
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:45 PM

Now that i have posted, remember the name of the shoes......Z Coil

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 10:02 PM

Yes, exercise is called heel or toe lifts. What ya gotta do is stretch the Achillies tendon where it attaches to the hell. What this feels like, for those of you who've never had it, is a stone bruise right in the middle of the heel. And, for ME, barefoot was better. I did get relatively cheap orthotics my my chiroprator and they did help.

It is actually caused by fallen or very flat arches which cause the Achillies tendon to seem to shorten.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 10:05 PM

Didn't Kat have a thread on this long ago (maybe about Birks) where ALL the approaches (and shoe options) were described? Might be a good resource if anyone could find the thread.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Midchuck
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 10:11 PM

I have it in the right foot. I went in for a routine physical and told the doctor I had a sore place under the right heel that wouldn't go away. I gave it a poke with his finger, and said "there?" and I said "Ow, yes," and he said "Platar Fasciitis."

He said three things would help: arch supports, heat, and an exercise where you loop a rolled up towel or some such under the ball of the foot, at the base of the toes, hold the ends, and arch the foot down, like you were standing on tiptoes, against resistance from pulling up on the towel. They all do seem to help.

It bothers me very little - not at all most of the time - if I wear running shoes - old, flexible ones, but with good new arch supports. But that is not always an option for a lawyer in a Vermont winter.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 03:54 AM

I will definitely vouch for Birkenstocks. Cured me in less than a week. It is no fun to have: feels like you're walking on a knife point. Another exercise that the orthopod recommended was pulling back on your big toe and then slowly and firmly squeezing the midfoot to stretch the fascia a bit further: somewhat like "sweating up" a line on a ship. But he didn't recommend Birkenstocks. I discovered that for myself.

And don't forget good old drugs: ibuprofen works well.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:45 PM

It was me, WYSusan, I think who may have started the last thread on this stuff seein' as I has it a couple years back and prolly woulda come here for medical advice seein' as this joint has better health care info than most doctors can give you... an' cheaper...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Spot
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:55 PM

Hello everybody..
                FC...you think you've got problems...I've got Planter's Nuts!!!



    Very sorry...ancient UK joke...Really I do sympathise..Get well soon..

                      Regards to all ...Spot(having drunk a lot of malt!!!) ( sorry) Tee-hee ...(Sorry)

                Ermmm........... 'Night to all...Spot

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 07:11 PM

Yes, Bobert, but before there even WAS a Bobert here, I think Kat had a thread going too.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 11:05 AM

Thanks for all the input above, nice to know I'm not alone!
Midchuck- your experience with the doc sounds much like mine. My guy said, 'Do you jog?', I said 'Do I look as if I jog?' he said 'I suppose it was a silly question!'
Definitely a few things to be tried here, though.
Thanks all

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: MAG
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 11:38 AM

What helped me most was Dr. Scholls footwear with the little knob near the ball of the foot. It works that long connective tissue.

I got a catalog device which works the foot just like that pull-back-the-big-toe exercise. It works great, too.

I also got the orthotics, custom AND otc. Both were spendy and both help.

Alternating shoes helps work the foot.

I know I mentioned all these things on the "other" thread. It's back there somewhere.

By the time I got enough help on this I was rolling my foot out to avoid the pain. This caused a whole new set of problems. You are right to get help.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Llanfair
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:02 PM

I had it when we were at the eurogathering in Munster, Germany. The pain was awful. I did the stretching thing, and eventually found some shoes that had it cured in a week.

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:09 PM

"I gave it a poke with his finger, and said "there?" and I said "Ow, yes," and he said "Platar Fasciitis." Midchuck

Thanks for the laugh, Peter. It just sounded like a rather onesided and very funny conversation. He gave you a second opinion? LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:56 PM

Since you asked...I would not mess around with advice from friends...mine included. Follow your doc's advice.

I didn't really know what I was dealing with when I had it. I listened to all the advice from friends, postponed seeing a doc, ended up with heel spurs.

But what worked for me:

1. For the acute attack - roll your arch on a bottle of frozen water.

2. For prevention:
    1) Never ever ever ever ever ever under any circumstances go barefoot, especially in sand.

    2) Wear good shoes. I like a good fitting running shoe.

    3) Do the runner's stretch where you drop your heels off a step.


I think the concrete floors did me in after about a year of the inflammation. I didn't know what it was.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: MaineDog
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 05:44 PM

I got it while Scottish Country Dancing, by doing an overly agressive pousette with an overly charming partner. It took six months to heal. The doctor recommended, and I took, 12-16 Ibuprofin tablets each day...
I also had to get special inserts for all my shoes to throw my weight to the outside of the feet. I had to use a cane on bad days. But all is well now.
MD

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 10:47 AM

Long Firm Freddie-- Policeman's Heel is interesting, when I did National Service in 1960 they referred to it as 'Recruit's Heel'.
My doc said he would make a note of that one.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 06:27 PM

Here's the old thread. (I keep repeating myself, but at least I'm fairly consistent.)

thread.cfm?threadid=29007

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 06:34 PM

Yes, but wasn't there another about the shoe options?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 12:39 AM

A friend of mine at work swears by the practice of not wearing the same pair of shoes every day. Have several pairs and change them out and you'll give your feet a better workout.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 01:04 AM

I had a severe case of plantar last spring while vacationing. It was so bad that my leg was inflamed to mid-calf. I opted for medical intervention when I returned home. The most excruciating 20 seconds of my life was a cortesone injection directly into the base of my heel [I would have given up any state secrets I possessed during that time], and in less than an hour my foot pain was gone. By the next morning all swelling and redness was gone. Now I do some stretching and foot rolling exercises each morning, and wear supports in my shoes. The alternative would have been to stay off my feet for 14 days.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: freda underhill
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:01 AM

Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks...!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: ranger1
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:23 AM

My letter carrier swears by Rockies (a brand of shoe). I used a pair of Dr. Scholl's arch supports, got rid of the LL Bean hiking boots that were a large part of the problem and took lots of ibuprofen. I also ditched my shoes as often as possible, which has helped enormously. Haven't had a recurrance in three years. My doctor recommended New Balance sneakers, BTW.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:41 AM

In the following thread: BS: saying goodbye to old Birkenstocks, Dr Mark Cohen said (while not intending it as medical advice) that wearing Birkenstocks had cured his plantar fasciitis.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 07:21 AM

Sorbothane insoles (UK at least) you acan get just heel inserts too

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 09:28 AM

I really started something here! Thanks again, guys & gals, I'll just hobble out and try a few of your suggestions.

Brian Q (aka Flash Company)

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 10:10 PM

Lose Weight!!!! Walk More!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,Hilary with one L
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 10:53 PM

Lose weight??? I BECAME overweight because I couldn't bloody walk without a cane because of PF. On bad days I can't do grocery shopping unless I use the cripple cart. The ortho fellah I consulted has had PF too - he's a marathon runner and so thin if he turns sideways he disappears. My PF came about when I was hefting heavy furniture around during a move. Now I daren't lift anything heavier than a gallon jug of water. Walking more will make PF worse unless orthotics, Birkies, FABS or whatever are used and the exercise is begun moderately until more distance is gradually built up.

''Lose weight! Walk more!'' You obviously haven't had this problem.

Thanks VERY much to all of those who have taken the time to offer useful, practical and effective suggestions. Your concern and empathy are most appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,Piatkow
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 08:43 PM

Once you have it its too late for shock absorbing insoles. In the UK get Orthoheel inserts (available from Boots)and do streatches regularly.

Guest 18 March - it is a repetitive strain injury just like the pains you are developing in your right wrist.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 05:26 AM

Actually, I wish I could lose weight, I retired in December 2001, I now eat less, drink less, and still I've put on a stone and a half.
I put it down to the fact that I no longer have a traumatic trek on public transport to the other side of Manchester (UK) every day. Either that or contentment!

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,neovo
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 08:32 AM

Try rolling a tennis ball around under your foot and also the alphabet exercise - sitting down (so you don't fall over!) raise one foot off the ground and trace the upper case letters of the alphabet in the air with your foot. Exercises and stretches in all directions. This helped me - and the supportive shoes eg Birkenstock.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,swanboots
Date: 04 Apr 05 - 04:46 AM

Physio thought my case interesting as I have peripherla neuropathy in my lower legs and feet. Are they connected? She didnt think so! Anyway I've been given some very expensive German gel heel pads and told to halve my walking expeditions to no more than 8 miles at a time!
Actually I think some very down-at heel slippers might have triggered it all - amongst other things!
I am certainly looking at specific exercises and rest. Night-time visits to the loo are particularly crippling!
It is good to hear that things can recover!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Severn
Date: 04 Apr 05 - 05:54 PM

I was expecting Mr. Peanut W/ a Hitler mustache.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:07 AM

Swanboots... I can relate to that, when I first get out of bed it's murder.
Any one tried acupuncture? I've been thinking about it.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 14 Apr 05 - 07:35 AM

Just found a product on sale in the UK called Orthaheel, appears to be magic, two days use and I am walking about the house without wincing at every step. The pain is still there, but very much in the background.
They have a web site at www.orthaheel.com if anyone is interested.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,ed guest
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 09:55 AM

what about night splints?
this bloody hurts, can't play tennis now which is how i think i got it. had it for approx 1 month, changed shoes, stretch, volterol, rest. still hurts. seeing rheumatologist soon for tennis elbow cortisone shot soon, thinking about asking for same for pf, comments please?

ed

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 11:05 AM

I always thought walking barefoot was supposed to be good for the feet - it is the most natural way, after all - but what I discovered is that you should NEVER climb ladders barefoot.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 07:25 PM

Mine is Cured! Here's how I did it.

I quit the job that had me walking/standing on concrete floors.

I bought high quality shoes, a pair by Dansko and a pair by Keen.

I stretched the shoes with wooden shoe stretchers that you can add buttons to for the pressure points. I got a pair for under $20 from hsn.com.

I rubbed my feet and ankles with lotion that had arnica in it to relieve the swelling. Imported by an Australian friend, it is called Uluru lotion and was developed for an Australian sports association. Don't use it on open sores or your lips.

All these things combined, with a dramatic change from using the lotion, I no longer have plantar fasciitis pain!

I thought I was crippled for life from it and would not be able to walk, dance, run, hike again. But, it is gone. I quit the job in November '05 and afte using the lotion and changing shoes, I'm ok now.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 07:46 PM

The best advice I got from my podiatrist was to put my shoes on BEFORE getting out of bed in the morning. That first step out of bed with bare feet actually re-tears the attachment, so you're just setting yourself up for a painful day.

I'm still struggling with a case of PF in both feet. It's been well over a year now. It comes and goes; seems to be connected to whatever weird auto-immune disorder I've got that the doctors can't figure out. I can be perfectly fine and then have terribly painful days, then be fine again, without having done a thing to make it go away.

I got the cheapie orthotics (cheapie meaning $20 US rather than $400 for the custom-made ones), was told to buy new shoes every six months, and was sent to physical therapy.

The stretches help. I had to back way off on them before they worked, though; because my mystery disorder causes everything to tighten up, I could not start in with the stretch where you hang your heels off the stair. I had to start with the one where you face the wall and keep your heel flat on the floor, so that it barely even felt like a stretch. Whichever stretches you do, make sure you hold them for 30 seconds so that they are therapeutic. Repeat them three times per session, three sessions per day.

Icing the arch and using ultrasound waves helped, as did the exercises that built up ankle strength. Get one of those stretchy elastic thingies and work on flexing your foot upwards against the tension, down against the tension, and side to side against the tension.

The doctor's advice and the orthotics were helpful, but the physical therapy sessions made the biggest difference.

Kim

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 09:00 PM

I have had it for 4 years I have had it for 4 years and used cheap inserts.I have now purchased proper inserts I am hoping they work.To all the smart arses who have never had I hope you get it one day.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 10:26 PM

In an earlier time not too far back, parents were advised that their infants should never be "shod" until they had learned, barefoot, to stand and walk on their own. When shoes became necessary for small children, a "proper arch support" was considered mandatory.

"Flat feet" were considered an impediment, and in fact were one of the diagnostic criteria for a lower fitness classification in the military services draft system through most of WWII. Sufficiently flat feet could, and did, cause some draftees to be rejected for military service.(And was sometimes a handy explanation for those rejected for a less "socially acceptable" reason, hence the difficulty in estimating how common such rejections were.)

Shoes were made with "arch supports" that typically elevated the inner arch area by at least 3/8 inch, and often a bit more, with the support extending up to a third of the way across the foot.

Sometime at about the time that the famous "Dr Spock" became the ultimate guide to child rearing, the advice changed to never allowing an infant to stand without proper shoes, with "proper" consisting of a dead flat sole to "prevent flexure of the foot to improper shape." I don't know that Spock made this recommendation - it was just in about that time period.

The result is that persons born after the mid-late 1950s or so typically leave a wet footprint on concrete more resembling the track of a duck than what was previously pictured as a "human footprint." Arch support built into shoes virtually disappeared, and over a period of a couple of decades the "arch support inserts" commonly available degenerated into little more than "sole liners."

The main point here is that how your were treated as a child may have a profound effect on the shape of your foot, and on your requirements for footwear. Since we old-farts are not a significant "market force¹," even the good support inserts some of us would like to have are unavailable in ordinary retail markets, and so far as I've been able to determine are not even available by special order from the likes of Dr Scholls.

¹ Consider the greater profit in selling "fashion designer" footwear to growing kids who will outgrow them in a few weeks and will need something new and more fashionable (being then more "mature") vs someone like myself who even at 25 usually wore one pair of shoes (boots) for 3 to 5 years before the next purchase.

As has been mentioned by a couple of people, an arch support that rolls the support to the outer edge of the foot can be helpful for some people. A "metatarsal pad" just behind the basal joint of the toes may help to stretch the tendon(s) in the sole of the foot and may help some. At one time, you could buy Dr Scholls inserts combining both features with useful dimensions; but I gave up even looking for them several (15-20?) years ago. Good luck if you need something of this sort.

A "specialist" may be the only place you'll find anything useful, particularly if your needs aren't the same as for the "barely crippled" with nearly the currently popular shape in feet. (e.g. the frequent Birkies recommendation - enough for some but not for all.) But it is critical that you find a solution that works for you.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,Pelrad
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 11:58 PM

Yeah, what he said! I've noticed the trend over the last 20 years towards less supportive footwear, even for sports. I have very high arches and require a lot of support, and I have to reject 99% of what I see in shoe stores. I live in dread of "dress-up occasions" because they mean I have to purchase shoes that I'll suffer in for a few hours and never wear again. I go into places like Marshalls and laugh myself silly over their idea of shoes. Who are all these people who can wear such flimsy footwear? And who the hell is wearing all these 4-inch heels?!

I've not experienced the famous Birkenstocks. Merrells currently work best for me but I still have to use my inserts with them. 15-20 years ago I swore by Avia, but they've done away with arch support. Then I only bought New Balance for a while, but now their shoes tend to encourage pronation toward the inside edge.

I've seen my baby pictures and it looks like I wore shoes most of the time, but they were always orthopedic shoes (until I was 12) to correct a 3/4 club foot. (They worked, too!) Maybe that's why I have an arch where many people have none.

Kim

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Pistachio
Date: 02 Jul 06 - 09:04 AM

My husband was a regular runner and football referee but was brought to a standstill by PF.
He was given some wonderful clear rubber type heel pads with a central void (blue) filled with gel to ease the pressure under centre of the heel -the point of his pain. It took a few months but he has been pain free and is jogging again.
Good Luck.
H.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Alice
Date: 02 Jul 06 - 09:06 AM

Buying the Dansko shoes and the Keen shoes that I wear every day was a huge part of healing. I had tried orthotic inserts - they were not sufficient to make a change in the pain. The shoes I found were in a locally owned shoe retailer/manufacturer,Schnee's. Dansko are made in Europe. I can no longer wear "dress" shoes if I am going to be on my feet in them. If you buy a good shoe, it does not necessarily need an insert. My Danskos and Keens are built so well they support my feet without adding orthotics.
Healing this pain has changed my life! I'm mobile again!

dansko.com

schnees.com sha-NAYS'

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Flash Company
Date: 02 Jul 06 - 09:50 AM

Nice to hear from fellow sufferers!
I have been using Orthaheel inserts for just over a year now, and they have sure made a difference. The spur which was developing under my left heel has almost gone, and I can, for short periods, walk in slippers without pain.(wouldn't do it for long tho'!)

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: MBSLynne
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 03:04 AM

I just pulled this thread up cos I remember seeing the heading ages ago and I now have PF. I think it's probably mostly due to wearing wellies for work and walking on concrete in them. People who know me well will probably say it's due to going barefoot but I don't believe that.

Reading some of the stuff in this thread, I think I'm lucky to have it only fairly mildly. It's in both feet, though one of them seems to be getting better, and a lot of the time it causes me little or no problem at all. I've started doing the stretching excercises and rubbing comfrey ointment onto it.

So...where do I get all these shoe brands everyone has spoken of? I generally don't like shoes so it's difficult to find some which I have any inclination to wear. Where do I get the heel support thingies? Would probably be a good thing to wear with my wellies.

I hadn't realised until reading this how prevalent the darned thing is. Should have known that one would get good advice somewhere on Mudcat!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 08:26 AM

Your chemist should have the heel supports. Orthotic arch inserts may help too. Same place, or a chiropractor. Mine finally just went away by itsself.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 08:42 AM

Mine appears to be gone. (Whacks self upside the head, muttering "knock on wood")

The main things I did for it were:

Put arch supports in all the shoes I used that didn't have them already.

Used Birkenstock-type clogs around the house instead of walking around barefoot or in slippers with no support at all.

Did as much walking as I could on trails in the woods, and less on concrete sidewalks.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Donuel
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 09:33 AM

TRUE STORY

I had a plantar the size of golf ball on my left heel.

Surgury was out and treatments didn't help.

Out of complete exsasperation I threw away all my hard soled shoes and took an afternoon nap in very poor spirits.

I woke up about two hours later and the growth was GONE.
Only a slight callous remained.

The fact that I was a hypnotist at the time does suggest I held the possibility of mind control with some regard but I was actually totally pessimistic at that moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Alice
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 10:13 AM

Avoid walking on concrete. You can get Dansko shoes by searching the web.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: MBSLynne
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 01:53 PM

Can't avoid walking on concrete. I milk cows every day. That's why I wear wellies so I can't stop wearing them either.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Mr Red
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 02:28 PM

No pain but a physiotherapist recommended Orthaheels for back ache that was getting worse. That and exercises has reduced the problem to near nothing.

The insoles support the instep. But any shoes that are a bit tight are virtually unwearable with the insoles.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Nov 06 - 03:09 PM

They now also make a boot, solf by the catalogu company "Solutions" that has a boot that you wear at night that stretches the plantar while you sleep...

And remember to do yer exercises: Stand on a step backwards with the front part of yer foot on the step, then lower the heeel below the step so as to stretch the plantar... Hold position to count of 5 and repeat 3 or 4 times...

Also, "Crocs" are more comfy than Berks... Just colder...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: MBSLynne
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 02:52 AM

Wearing shoes all the time is bad enough but Crocs??? They are plastic!!! And ugly!

I've started trying to remember to do the excercises regularly and it does seem to help quite quickly

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Oh No, I've got Plantar fasciitis
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 08 Nov 06 - 08:04 AM

Crocs may be naff but they sure is comfortable to dance in - especially in the Anchor car park Sidmouth.

I did those step edge exercises when I pulled a calf muscle, no problem since.