FOOTPAIN could it be plantar fasciitis

I have PF but when it first took hold I had pain so bad in the morning that I could hardly walk. I went to A&E and the doctor I saw diagnosed PF. He told me to wear Orthotic insoles which I did and the pain eased the same day. I can now walk without pain but my feet are still very tender and I also have tingling and pins and needles. I still have a long way to go but things seem to be getting better. I hope you have now got your diagnosis and hope you are being treated for whatever condition you have. I have also bought really comfortable shoes and never go out walking without my ortho insoles. The shoes I find the most comfortable are called FLYFLOT and can be bought online. AT the moment I cannot wear any of my regular shoes they are just too uncomfortable!! Especially my dressy shoes with heels. If I wear them it feels as though there are rocks under my feet. anyway please let me know how you are getting on.

Soggy

Thanks for replying

You actually managed to get to A&E I refused to go

I was adamant it would go away and thank you for asking I'm doing okay I'm not wearing

Insoles they don't work for me keeping my foot flat

Is very hard Instead I brought sand slippers high and wedged there

Not at all attractive but guess ill have to make do when I do go out I risk flats

I used to have unbelievable pain now it's much better my foot is not tender to touch

I have the odd cramp and more or less every night I have pins and needles

The thing I miss the most would defo be my heels I red somewhere high heels helps pf

I put this theory to the test for me it was horrible as I refuse to go docs I've figured out whats right and wrong will type them up hope they help first don't walk on hard surfaces I have laminate everywhere in my house so good pair of slippers with arch support should help 2 rest as much as possible I know easier said than done but do try and get some heat gel /pain gel they work wonders when I was in the worst pain

I used to massage it into the spot an hour or 2 later I was fine also when u get up in the morning stretch your ties back with your hand don't do it so much so your in pain but just so you stretch the muscle so blood flow starts do this in the morning ANd before you go bed if you do it before you go bed it eases the tingling I'm so glad I've finally got a bit of hope this might just go away 7months ago I had the worst pain now it's a lot better i think the worst thing is when my friends get together and invite me out and I can't stand for long and end up leaving early now I'm managing that aswell I'm sure we can beat this I've got this far as have you so fingers crossed ive heard some people have had pf for 15 20 years I've had it 7 months and I'm pulling my hair out honestly feel sorry for them people -

Do reply

Hi again Nikki,

I have to agree with you ....I was also scared to death when I read about people having PF for many years!!! But it is a wonderful feeling when things are so much better than when you first experience the pain of PF.

I have never been the type of person that spent a lot of money on shoes before and I do regret this now. I believe my job was the trigger for my PF and the flat boots I wore work every day. I am on my feet for nearly 7 1/2 hours at work.

When I went to A&E I wore the same boots and the Doctor looked at my boots and told me I was wearing the worst type of boots for wearing constantly. Can you believe they are my most comfortable flat boots!!!!! But of course they had no arch supports.

To help myself with this condition I also massage my feet in the morning. Sometimes I massage with IBUPROFEN GEL to massage with but most times I use creams or massage oil.

I do three stretching exercises daily for legs and feet (I found them on Utube) I think they helped.

I bought a pair of shape up trainers which when the pain was at its worst really helped but They are not

helpful now infact if I wear them now it makes the condition worse.

I use Ice packs on my feet and cold waterfoot baths when my feel feel inflamed.

Sometimes I use heat too as there are days my feet feel cold. I think this condition has created circulation problems with my feet.

I have given up heels ....at the moment I don't think I will ever be able to wear heels again but like you I wouldrather wear comfortable ugly shoes and be pain free. I did try to wear heels at the weekend at a birthday party but was in agony. It just wasn't worth the pain.

I can wear Birkenstock sandals which have good arch and foot bed supports and I already own but I only wear them in the summer months. Too cold to wear them now though. I think I mentioned FLYFLOT shoes before, Now Flyflot shoes are like walking on clouds for me and I highly recommend them. Not pretty but so comfortable. If you find some really comfortable shoes with heels let me know I would love to try them!

One thing I do know is that PF is a condition that no one will ever understand unless you have experienced it. I think it's a condition that people will not understand because there is no obvious trigger..ie no accident or injury. One day healthy the next hobbling around like a frail old woman.

I have been told to try ECCO shoes but they are really expensive but will check out the sales. I have accepted that comfort and quality are most important when it comes to shoes now. I also hope that one day I will be able to wear heels again if I treat my feet with the utmost care now!

I hope some of this helps ......it nice to be able to share ideas.

Soggy

PF i had it once when i was working in a petrol station which meant standing for long hours in flat shoes. my doctor said i could have a cortisone injection in the heel which i said no thanks too.

Then in the last few months i have experienced it again in my heel as i had been wearing flat shoes and the pain prevented me from walking and especially when on waking in the morning. so i have been wearing a wedge shoe and it is easing.

so i can sympathize with you both it in not a nice thing.

apparently it is classed as a sports injury especially in tennis players.

Hi

I have had pf for about a year put up with it for quite a while just on painkillers but till recently the pain got so intense I couldn't bear it could hardly walk went to gp he signed me off work cos I stand for about 6 hours a day and this was mainly the cause of pf I have rested my foot like he said but it was no better I had the steriod injection yesterday god it was so painful brought tears to my eyes today the pain has eased but can't but my heel down yet will let u know if it works

Denise hello,

I hope the steroid injection is working. I think GPs are baffled but this condition. I was lucky because the doctor I saw at A&E had suffered with PF himself. He said that wearing the ortho insoles would help within a day or two and hewas right. I still have discomfort if I wear flat shoes or the wrong shoes. I am five months down the road with this and still have a way to go but I would say things are now 90%better. Don't give up.

Soggy

Hi

I am pain free at the moment just a slight twinge now and again when I get up after resting so fingers crossed I haven't been out for a walk yet though so early days pleased to hear your hopefully on the mend

Denise

Hi

I too was a young very active person playing net all going to the gym 5+ times a weekand a nurse until I got plantar fascitis. I have had it for 18 months I have seen so many different medical people, treatments including, orthotics, stretches exercises, night splints, immobilization boot, physio, shock wave therapy, strapping, the list goes on. I finally got an ultra sound and Xray, turns out I had a very nasty plantar fascia tear. Still with no success I went and saw a different podiatrist, turns out I was wearing the wrong orthotics! He gave me new ones which helped a fair it but not enough to ever jog, work was still so painful too. I then went to a deep tissue massage therapist... And he cured me. Yes it is uncomfortable but better than a platlet injection that was my next option. U should feel like swearing at the guy or kicking them with ur good leg, otherwise its not deep enough. So I suggest you see an experience podatrist and a massage therapist. I can now run 2 km and not be in pain, and I am so much. happier in myself. Good luck with ur treatment. And ugly , shoes while its bad make amassive difference.