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Mild Plantar fasciitis?

Posted , 4 users are following.

chris2
chris2

I'm pretty sure this is what I have. Don't want to bother my busy GP at the moment as I'm not sure what they can do. I think the answer is in my own hands for the moment. I'm in my 60s and overweight so shedding some pounds is the first thing.  It started out with mild pain on the soles of my feet when walking. Now when I get out of bed my heels in particular are really painful and I'm hobbling around like a little old lady for the first few minutes! I'm trying to nip this in the bud before it gets worse so yes I have ordered all the usual stuff off the net and will report back. Years back I was given shoe inserts to correct my walking and I got lazy about using them. Plus I didn't keep up with the stretching exercises. I guess I am now paying the price. I've dug those old inserts out. Plus it does help a little I find if before getting out of bed on a morning I stretch and flex my legs/feet/toes.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • JerryR
    JerryR chris2

    Posted

    Chris, I am a retired physician and plantar fasciitis patient.  I got plantar fasciitis around February 2016.  After about four months, it completely resolved. 

    Here's what I think.  Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the attachment of the plantar fascia to the heel bone, and/or some minimal tearing of the plantar fascia - just a few fibers - that results, naturally, in inflammation . . .   like a "pulled muscle."   Inflammation hurts until it heals and resolves.  So what's so difficult about curing P.F.?  Well we walk on it!!!  Let's say we take 5000 steps a day.  Imagine inflammation of your elbow, (i.e. tennis elbow).  Imagine taking your sore "tennis elbow" and wacking it against the wall, 5000 times a day.  Think it would heal quickly?  I don't either.

    So my cure for plantar fasciitis is cushion, cushion and cushion!!!  That's right - cushion the heel.  Here's what I did.  First, I wore the plantar fasciitis "relief bridge" gel-heel innersole in my shoes - that I got at Walgreen's for about $11.  Make sure your innersoles are soft and preferably made of gel.  (I plan to use mine indefinitely in my shoes.)  Then I wore a pair (usually) of nice thickish sox.  On my heel I wore fasciitis therapy wrap padded supports that I got on the internet for about $13.  (I don't wear them any more.)  So when I had my PF, under my heels I had 3 cushion layers.  I wore this about 24 hours a day - except when in the shower or swimming.  And after about 4 months, the PF was totally gone.  And I would suggest to you, have patience, not surgery.

    Chris, that's what I think.  I hope this helps you and the many other sufferers of plantar fasciitis.  Good Luck to you, doknabox/JerryR

    • louiselost
      louiselost JerryR

      Posted

      I've had plantar fasciitis also twice in my life, and each time it gradually went away.

      Now, I have arthritis on the top of foot where all the tendons are.  Evidently, my surgeon discounted an operation, saying it might make it worse.  So I'll go the gel route for the entire foot and see if relief comes.

    • chris2
      chris2 JerryR

      Posted

      Many thanks I'll look into those. I'm hoping if I take remedial action now it won't get as bad as some people apparently have it.

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