Plantar Fasciitis

[jmorgan]

I suppose if you are looking past the thread title you know what it is. Any tips past the usual welcome if you have got past this annoying affliction, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Shoes with good support, approved by the doc, bought. Wearing sandals with gel heel supports on the wood flooring to minimise impact on the heel. Need to get some better safety footwear, work issue is a bit basic and standard foot pads are not enough (see if my employer will assist, help make it easier). Anyone using safety boots with good support? Need to go out and look at some as I have only ever used the supplied versions, if the employer is not going to help then I will get a good pair anyway.

Doing the exercises and bought a few tennis balls for the inner foot. Missed anything?

Went for a walk the other day. Paid for it the next. Need to knock this on the head.

[jmorgan]

Dr Murdoch said:

Is PF the pain you get across/in the arch of the foot? Or is it a heal pain?

Sorry OP, I'm suffering with pain in my arch, so i'm thinking about watching this thread closely (if I have PF)

Mine is around the heel. I did get it diagnosed by the doctor though. And seeing as I am not a doctor, I cannot say "trust me, I am a doctor" Understand it is the muscle between the big toe joint and the heel. Bugger in the morning as it is all stiff, works loose then hurts like flock unless you get something soft under the heel or get off the foot. Bit of a sod when you have to go to work.

Cheers Smithers. Looking like I am on the right track with the ball, though did not think of the size. Golf ball will make marks on the floor so crack on with the tennis ball for now. Could always put a mat on the floor for the golf ball.


L2L. Note being taken. podiatrist eh? Rightyho. Thanks.

[jmorgan]

Ouch. Right, get on the case then. Getting the bumpf from the surgery this afternoon.

[jmorgan]

The doc said the injections were not needed yet and I don't like the sound of them. Yet.

So, stretching a must, plenty of opportunity for that. Waiting for info on the podiatrist. Using a tennis ball for the foot (try the bottle), Merrell walking shoes I already have are superb. Inserts for other shoes are a bit hit and miss but heel gel thingies are superb. OK, we have a plan. And others who have had it can get long term relief.

Cheers all.

[jmorgan]

Just thought. Cycling. Long walks are out for me, guessing cycling will not be too bad on a gentle ride. That will be exercising the ankle and associated bits?

Exercises done this morning. More this afternoon, keeping pad or sandals on with wood flooring has made a hell of a difference.

[jmorgan]

What I have found in the last few days is the mornings are a lot easier now I have started with soft foot ware in the house. I have also started to exercise my feet before getting up and the mornings are lot less awkward. There was no pain as such, just stiff as hell.

Thanks for the link though. Keep that in mind, going to try the bottle method as well as Mr Tennis ball has other ideas to me as to its function. Probably need a mat on the floor to help it.

[jmorgan]

Walking sandals with a gel insert, think these are North Face. Decent amount of give in the heel. And no, I don't wear white sock with them..... ever.

[jmorgan]

Thanks for the pointers. Something to think about. Exercising as per others comments etc has helped a lot. As has foot ware and something for around the house with the wood flooring. I find that giving your feet a good stretch in the morning mean I get out of bed and not hobbling around like a dirty old man who has just found out about pron on the internet.

Think there is light at the end of the tunnel. All day yesterday at work on me feet and feeling a lot better today. Lots of small things making a difference but not out the woods yet.

Only problem now is getting some decent toe tectors as the work issue catalogue is a bit basic for this. Probably get them myself.

[jmorgan]

^^^^^

I started to get that way, worse getting up in the morning. Mine was made worse padding around on the wood flooring with no foot ware, work issue protective foot ware and my hiking boots did not help when away from home. It would hurt all the time apart from when I was wearing my Merrel shoes, the support is very good in them.

So, in the morning I flex my ankles a lot to stretch the as much as I can before getting up and that helps first thing. Good foot ware that cushions the heel and supports the foot, exercises and so on and it is getting better, certainly more bearable now than when I posted this. I have the info for the foot doctor but need to call in and work is getting in the way so try them this afternoon.

Liking the sound of the cast etc but again, need time to chase that.


Edit. I did go to the doctor though to get diagnosed.

[jmorgan]

I have to say that in my case the doc probably said do this that and the other. Me being me could not see the point or it went in one ear and out the other, but if others are getting relief when I asked here, why the heck not. Not going to wear out the bottom step in my lifetime trying this and the results started to come in quite quickly. No cure as yet but relief at the very least.

Anyway. Found this.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/plantar-fasciitis

[jmorgan]

Bit lax with the exercises. OK at home, but when I am at work I sometimes forget but the step out the back is helpful and tennis ball in me overnight bag means working away from home the feet get the treatment.

Biggest gain has been correct footwear, or at least as good as I can get and sandals with a spongy sole for the house on the wood flooring. The Merrels I have are great with the arch support. Some days now I hardly notice though the mornings still tell. Now work has slacked for the summer I need to get some foot doctoring going on and look up these boots and podiatry.

[jmorgan]

Blow me down with a feather, finally called podiatry the other week, they did over the phone as the department was some miles away and suggested a new stretch exercise, along with rolling a bottle full of ice under your foot a few times a day and an insert from scholl. 4 mile walk yesterday, no problems. Still have it but it is noticeably better and the exercise seems to be a lot better than hanging off the bottom step exercise.

Not sure whether to post up here what he said in fear of someone ripping a tendon or something but then it was over the phone so he did not see me so did not know my physical status. Usual caveat then. What I have to do is get my toes over the skirting board and heel on the floor. Leg straight and try to get my waist as close the wall as possible. Hold for 30 seconds, do other leg, same time, five times per session. Three a day.

He then directed me to this fella for me shoes and boots. Very comfortable.

[jmorgan]

First thing I did was get it diagnosed. Then dealt with it.

Link updated for the insert I used and I also used Merrel shoes, the insoles are superb, or at least for me.

http://www.simplyfeet.co.uk/index.php/insoles/orth...

Looking back, I think the bike did me more good that the stretching, and the footwear.

[jmorgan]

colin_p said:

Thanks Gents,

I have ordered some in-soles and some Merrel training shoes as recommeded.

With regard to the stretching, I'd obviously like to have a go but have no idea what to do, the sports / physio type terms are meaningless to me. Is it as simple as pointing your toes and then pulling your toes towards your shin and hold ?

Once the doctor had diagnosed me. He put me in touch with the department at the hospital that dealt with this, or rather they called me.

What they asked me to do in my case, no examination, was to stretch my foot. This was for me only, after I was diagnosed by the doctor.

Toe as high up the wall as I could go, heel as tight into the skirting as possible. Leg straight. Then lean in gently and do that x number of times per session twice a day. Used the internal garage door rather than the wall to save the decor.

Personally I think the footwear and bike did me more good.

Edit. The ball and bottle of ice as well.

Edit 2. Should point out I am not qualified in any way, this is what some dude in the NHS had me do over the phone, and I am not an athlete by any means unless burgers are an Olympic sport.

Edited by jmorgan on Thursday 20th April 07:49

[jmorgan]

Been using the Merrell Chameleon for my everyday wear, superb. The Moab for hiking. They are certainly worth it.

Been free from it for a while though, but not changing the footwear.

[jmorgan]

I had the orthotic inserts but really the best thing I found was the Merrell shoes, in all the ones I have tried, I I tried a lot, they are superb.

The insert I was recommended by the fella at the hospital
https://www.simplyfeet.co.uk/index.php/orthaheel-r...

It was over the phone though.

[jmorgan]

I have wood floors through the house (helps with asthma) and use Merrell sandals as slippers. The footbeds are good and give a soft heel strike. Not sure that is any use to anyone, I found that the floors and wearing socks seemed to give some symptoms again.

[Zirconia]

For me personally the right footwear did make a difference. Merrell Chameleon Slam for me but at the same time all the stretching and other stuff. But wearing these shoes during the hurt, they were very comfortable and the footbed very supportive.

(not being a guarantee it will work for anyone before they go and splash the loot and it does not work, go try some on in go outdoors or something).

Edited by Zirconia on Sunday 8th September 13:20