Plantar Fasciitis

[Eve]

I've had a really painful foot for a few days now which was getting worse and swelling up and I couldn't walk on it so had it checked over by a minor injuries nurse. Been told I have a spur which showed on an xray not long ago and wondering if that has contributed or it's related to my inflammatory arthritis.

She said it's plantar fasciitis and my ligament is very tight. She said to get some special insoles which will cushion it more and wear more supportive footwear - was wearing my comfiest most supportive trainers but she said they weren't good enough.

I'm back on my arthritis meds hopefully next week is bloods ok (kept off a fews after my gallbladder got infected) which she said should help as they are anti-inflammatory as well as immunosuppressants.

I asked in Boots and she said to go to a chiropodist and see what they recommend before buying anything which might not help. I'd looked at the insoles which were quite pricey, about £23-25. So thought I'd see on here if anyone has had it and what helped them best and see if I can get insoles cheaper online.

The nurse said rest it but I can't not be in work, especially after a recent week in hospital with my gallbladder and pending operation to remove it and don't want to not be at work. I sit most of the day and don't have to move much. I'm currently a typist but can try to change the foot I use as a footpedal so not using the bad one. Bit screwed otherwise! Am wondering if the constant use of my foot on the footpedal might have contributed too. I have to get around too as I live on my own.

I'm on a very tight budget but any ideas or recommendations very welcome, sure I've seen someone mention it on here recently but my search just comes up with google links!

[Buenchico]

Here's what the relevant NHS webpage suggests:
http://www.nhs.uk/Con.../Pages/Treatment.aspx

Chris

[bobbie22]

Hi I have Plantar Faciitis too. I have seen chiropodist and doctor. I bought some Scholl insoles as recommended by the Parmacist in Boots. Quite difficult to get into my winter shoes, so I am wearing them in shoes with a bit more room in them. I have been taking Ibuprofen too. It is improving after four weeks, but not entirely better. I wish you luck, It is VERY painful isn't it. (PS Also stretching exercises, which are difficult to describe on here, but I will if you want)

[bobbie22]

I decided not to describe excercises on here in case I put someone at risk. Better to go and get advice yourself. But as you did not reply, I dont suppose it matters anyway

[nungate]

If you have a spur ask your doctor to refer to you the physiotherapy people for some ultrasound treatment on it. I had treatment for this and it worked a treat. Also for tightness on the ligament, can you stand on a step with your heels sort of hanging over the edge of the step (holding on to something to steady you is recommended!) and just dip down keeping the front part of your foot on the step while your heel drops, this should loosen things up a bit as it sounds as if I had what you now have. You could also get a towel and roll it into a long strip and put it under your foot and push against it by flexing the foot, it all helps. As for insoles my physio told me to get heel cushions to put in the shoe under the sore heel - I got some in Boots and they weren't terribly expensive. Please give these exercises a try, took me a wee while but they certainly helped, coupled with the ultrasound. Good luck

[Eve]

Thanks Chris and Bobbie. It's soo painful! Been limping around since Thursday, felt like cramp in the arch of my foot initially then just spread and all swollen over the top of my ankle and foot and hurts now over my ankle bone and up the side of my leg.

I asked about antiinflammatories and nurse said avoid ibruprofen as I'm not meant to take it but said my arthritis meds should help so hopefully if bloods ok I can go back on Mon/Tues. I have co-dydramol for arthritis pain and codeine phosphate and paracetamol the hospital discharged me with after my gallbladder went infected.

I'm going to have a hunt when I've rested it a bit as I'm sure I have some comfort insoles somewhere and other stuff for arthritis bad patches. Got some of those gel heel party feet things too. Am going to try to get back into town tomorrow and hunt around for the best price insoles I can get. Asked the pharmacist in Boots and she said I should see a chiropodist first before buying anything expensive so might see as relief in the meantime would be something and hobbling isn't helping my gallbladder as it's still painful and no op date yet and don't want to put too much pressure on the other leg in case that kicks the arthritis off. Hopefully can find some reasonably priced supportive shoes too.

Exercises would be great if it gets shot of it quicker :)

[Eve]

Thanks nungate, will give them a go. Sorry for not getting back sooner bobbie, just went to make a sandwich as not eaten yet today.

[jackthehat]

Crocs......get yourself a pair of cheap Croc-type shoes.

I had some of the waffle-inserts which eased the pain a bit, but wearing some cheap Chinese manufactured crocs made all the difference. The pain went, and it has never recurred.

[bobbie22]

Im sorry too Jenna. Please try not to walk on the edge of your foot in order to prevent walking flat. That causes quite a lot of pain and burning. The chiropodist said there was a possiblility of injections, but when I went to see GP, he did not offer . It will go in time, mine is getting better, but not quite cleared up yet. Good luck to you.

[bobbie22]

Jemma, Forgot to mention, someone advised FITFLOPS. Look for them on line, £145 for boots !!!!! I did not buy any, needless to say.

[Eve]

I've been trying to walk on my toes but not helping much and just putting more pressure on my other leg so hopefully inserts and comfier shoes will help me walk more normally. £145! Wow, well out of my price range :( I love my cotton traders trainers as they are even comfier but nurse said not thick enough sole.

Will check out crocs though, had some a few years ago (much to my (now) ex's disgust haha) and they were so comfy but they stretched too much and were too cold in winter and not waterproof! We have a crocs shop in town so will check that out tomorrow as I'm sure I've seen ones which don't have the holes in them or open backs.

[cathfromsaron]

ditto cheap insoles from chemist! and buy the best shoes you can in future! x

[jackthehat]

They can be a bit grim-looking :o)
But they really cushion you from 'foot-strike' and I wore mine whenever I was out of the sight of anyone who may be mortally offended by them.

[nungate]

Just a thought. I've had trouble with my foot for a long time (I have gout, and arthritis) and my doc suggested I wear trainers, so I toddled off in search of trainers but the chap in our local sports shop told me I didn't need trainers, what was needed were running shoes! I told him the only running I ever do is running stitch in my needlework but I duly bought running shoes apparently they are different to ordinary trainers, and now wear them most of the time. If you have any Reebok outlet stores nearby, have a look in there I buy mine at their shop in Livingston (outside Edinburgh) for around £30 which I think very reasonable and if I remember rightly I paid less than £10 for those heel cushions

[Lambert-Butler]

Jenna I suffered from this for well over a year a while ago and thank god it has gone now, I know the feeling when you get up in the morning and try to walk then you realise the back of your feet are in agony but after a while the pain reseeds.
I tried all the insoles that were going to no avail and my job involves being on my feet all day and had to suffer it.
I do not think there is any cure for it as have researched it on the net but there are a few exercises you can do for it.
It has finally gone now after about 15 months but I am not holding my breath that it wont come back and in some people it can last a few months and in others it can last a few years.
Please please do not take any advise about the old wives tales about crocs shoes making it better because that is all that it is an old wives tail and there are many of them around but I know as I am a sufferer as well as you.
Hope yours don't last as long as mine did Jenna.

[douglas9401]

Hi Jenna, I've never suffered myself but my wife has symptoms almost identical to yourself.
She attends regularly at our primary health centre and sees a podiatrist who's also very interested in the treatment of sports related injuries. He's given up his own time to give deep massage and manipulation which, although painful at the time has paid dividends where ordinary mobility is concerned.
He reckons that his patients should save their money re expensive orthotics, go through the discomfort of manipulation and come out the other side with a spring in their step and cash in their pockets.
It seems to be a matter of finding the right practicioner in your area.
Good luck.

[Eve]

Thanks all, really helpful advice :) Been googling comfy shoes and had a brainwave and found some of my ex's old orthotic heel inserts (he had dropped arches though so maybe different), he got some new expensive ones from a posh running shop so must be ones from before then, and some comfort really thick insoles. The heel things are a bit grim looking and battered but going to give them a go to see if they make much difference before I buy some :) Don't want to spend a lot if they don't help but if they do then if it makes it less painful and I can get about better then worth it.

Found my old crocs too so might try them tomorrow (with tights!...and long trousers haha) if I can tighten them a bit, see if they make things more comfortable.

Just been on the phone to mum who said Clarks have a sale on and she has seen some she thought about for me (arthritis wise) marked down. M&S have the footglove range too and I've got arthritis friendly work shoes from there before and great as they have wider feet sizes.

Running shoes are a really good idea! Can you still get those "air" like ones (think they are trainers though). Will try a sports shop for some none work shoes.

I'm sure there is a foot hospital at my GP practice, there was a window open with it on when I went for my bloods on Friday so that could be really handy.

Will also give my old osteo a ring, see if he might be able to help as they were great with my back.

No dancing for me at the Christmas do this week!

[naomi24]

After spending 6 months on crutches with Plantar Fasciitis, I went to a sports injury specialist and he cured the problem in two visits. It cost about £100 in total, but it was money well spent.

[Lambert-Butler]

Jenna fallen arches is a totally different thing from plantar, arches are underneath your feet plantar develops from your heel and pulls the ligaments tight and that is what causes the pain.
That is why it is also called heel spur.

[Lambert-Butler]

Good god naomi24 I just wished I had done that as I was in pain for around 15 moths before it finally went

[naomi24]

It's true. I was amazed. I thought I'd be out of action and on those crutches forever because it was getting no better. A friend nagged me to go - and I'm very pleased she did. I'd recommend it every time.