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!

[Jules001]

This time last year, I was really suffering with both feet and had been since the summer, I found that wearing trainers seemed to aggravate it, so I went to the docs who was horrified that I had waited so long to see him about it, but said the insoles were a waste of money and that a steroid injection in the foot should help. He injected the worst of the two and I found that just having the one done helped so much that the other stopped hurting too, I also started wearing Hotter shoes, expensive, but worth every penny. Touch wood, a year on and I am pain free .

[Eve]

Will definitely look into sports massage then, sure they do it at my old osteo place so will give them a ring. Trying to avoid spending out as things very tight but if it means I can get about again with less pain (arthritis accepted) it'll be worth it. Can physio do it? I tend to have a quick physio referral via rhumatology if struggling.

Ah sounds like the insoles are wrong then. I can't see anything written on them as old and battered, they have a little separate bit around the heel though the more painful spot for me is a bit before my heel so not sure if just a heel one will cover it. Might try the gel ones from Boots though at £23/24 I hope they help. They had plantar faciitis on them but will check they cover where mine hurts the most, see if the pharmacist will get them out for me to look - unless it's just the heel that is important. Nurse said it can occur a bit further forward than the heel itself.

[Postdog]

You could spend a fortune on this or that - trust me, I know. Start cheap - try the scholl gel inserts which has interchangeable fillets. They did work for me up to a point (pain free I mean) but walking was my job and there came a point when they didn't.

[Tefler]

Like many others here, I've been a sufferer, too, Jenna and I really feel for you. My doctor suggested anti-inflammatories and pain killers combined when the problem was at its height. He also said I should keep my foot raised when at rest. Then there's a combination of calf-stretching exercises to do. One example is to stand with your toes on a stair and gently to push your heels down until you feel the stretch in your calves. Another is to stand with your feet about a foot from a wall. Lean against the wall and push yourself away, again gently, so that the stretch in the calf can be felt. When you are sitting, too, if you can't raise the foot, make sure both feet are flat on the floor.
It all helps! Good luck.

[jno]

I've just got heel supports rather than insoles under my whole foot; plus I had a steroid injection. Worked a treat.

[Eve]

Thanks for all the brilliant advice. I checked out the insoles and they are like they heel inserts in the shops (though more heavy duty/a lot harder than the gel ones). They helped a bit and been doing exercises, the step one and massaging it and the ball one. Looked in big Boots and they didn't have normal Scholl inserts, just special ortho ones which were expensive. Think there is a Scholl shop near work who also do foot services so going to ask in there tomorrow - too far to hobble today.

Found some nice looking crocs but they were trying to shut the shop up so not been able to try them on yet. Lots of running shoes about but all a bit too trainer looking for me to wear to work (hoping I can get something that suits both work and out of work). Found some nice Sketchers ones too which look really comfy. Going to see if any cheaper online.

My osteo does sports/deep tissue massage, £30 for 30 mins or £40 for an hour (so guessing I can do £40 for two half hour session - a whole hour feels like it would be so much more painful!).

[woolleysheep]

very painful heels when walking, tried the expensive insoles but even more painful as they did not support my feet correctly under the arch, have worn nothing but Clarke's AIR ACTIVE shoes now for several years, feet still ache but nothing compared to the heel pain