Plantar Fasciitis

[jourdain2]

Has anyone else been diagnosed with this and what were the outcomes and how long does it take?

My left heel started hurting about 4 weeks ago - I thought I'd bruised it and carried on. It got worse and worse (couldn't get from bed to en-suite without leaning on things) so made appt. with GP. This morning went on usual dog-walk with OH, got less than half a mile and simply couldn't walk another step. I rested and tried again, still couldn't, horrible pain. Fortunately a neighbour drove past, saw the situation and very kindly drove me home. Terrifying.

As it happens, GP appt. was this afternoon and so I got diagnosis. Yes, I'll do the exercises - but how long will it take. I'm forbidden to walk far - so that isn't good for the rest of me. Ibuprofen helps (to forestall you, Squad!)
but the pain is severe and I'd like to know of others' experiences.

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Most cases of heel pain get better within 12 months. Surgery may be recommended as a last resort if your symptoms don't improve after this time. Only one in 20 people with heel pain will need surgery"

Source (which is well worth a read for the advice it offers):
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/heel-pain/Pages/Treatment.aspx

[naomi24]

I was on crutches for 6 months with no improvement. Finally went to a sports injury specialist and was cured in two sessions. Cost £80.

[jourdain2]

Thanks, both of you. £80 would be well worth it if I can get remedied. Not moving and walking is surely worse for my general health. :)

[woofgang]

Crocs sorted mine, and RATTER will tell you the same. They have to be the real ones made from Croslite and the original “ugly” shape. You will still need to cut out the dog walks for a while and yes seeing a physio is a good idea.

[jourdain2]

Words fail me, Togo.

[naomi24]

My man wasn't an ordinary physio. He specialises in sports injuries.

[RATTER15]

I agree with Woof. these days I wear little else!

[jourdain2]

Apologies for 22.20 post - it got on the wrong site.

I used to be an athletics coach and can still, I think, access a Sports physio through people I know - otherwise it will be the 'black box'. I'm very grateful - I can't carry on like this, the pain is intense at times.

[naomi24]

Ratter, mine is cured. I don't need to wear special shoes.

[douglas9401]

Deep (and, apparently, painful) kneading and massage by someone who's properly qualified is the answer as far as my wife was concerned.
Her therapist was her NHS podiatrist who saw her and effected a cure over a few weeks, in his break time.
Good luck with it all. :-)

[woofgang]

naomi, I agree. I am old and creaky and i wouldn’t go to any physio who didn’t deal in sports injuries.... My PF is long fixed too...now I don’t wear the Crocs as treatment but because they are comfortable and suit my lifestyle.

[naomi24]

Ah, right. I just hate to think of people being restricted to footwear they don't particularly want to wear when the condition is curable.

[jourdain2]

I am being referred to a podiatrist, thanks Douglas, hope it works. I can't carry on living in pain - or I suppose I can, seeing that the alternative isn't great! Better than the alternative so far as I can see!

[jno]

naomi, it can return - mine just has, about 8 years since I last had it. Hopefully physio will sort it out - I had a steroid injection last time and that did the trick, but not forever, unfortuantely.

[naomi24]

jno, I know it can return - but that's not to say it will. I'm optimistic.

[Postdog]

From someone who had it and was a postman too, so suffered. During my time I tried various things, all of which worked to some degree.

Steroid heel injections which lasted quite a while. Not all doctors do these.
Shoe insoles....either over the counter or provided by podiatrist tailored for you.
Exercises....if you can be bothered or not tired.
Special foot splints you can buy from a sports injury site.

[jourdain2]

jno - looks as if this is one we are all in together :)

[jno]

what did your specialist do, naomi?

[jourdain2]

Thanks,all of you. :)