Plantar Fasciitis

Hi

I have suffered from plantar fasciitis for several years in both feet.

I had tried many things over time.

To your question regarding steroid injections, yes I have had them. I had them done privately at bmi

hospital. The doctor said this will hurt, well I nearly shot off the bed I have never had anything so painful I

instant went hot hen I had to have the other it took me awhile to build myself back up and think I only did

because I thought it would work.

Well it didn't!!!!!

I've also had gel insoles, custom made orthotics, tens machine, shock wave therapy.

Nothing s worked.

I've had this for 2 yrs now , I've had 4 steroids injections over the past 12 months. Dr says can't have any more . The injections were painful but it was 6 seconds of pain then done ! My feet felt slightly buried for 2 days then it was like walking on air

Lasted upto about 3 months.

I think an op is next for me , but I have heard about a dr in leister , that injects your own blood from arm into feet , supposed to work .. I'm looking into that NHS ,,, worth a try

Hi Everyone, wow interesting experiences people have had regarding this condition. I am a 22 year medical student who is pretty athletic and has acquired this condition through repetitive athletic involvements, I sympathize with each of you, its extremely painful and I now have the condition in both feet . Did everything that everyone else has gone through, but not really had the condition as long, but certainly did the insoles, the physio, the conditioning, the ultrasound, the injections (yes so painful) and now heading for bilateral operation in June some time (date to be set) was wondering if anyone has actually had the operation or knows anyone who has come through it successfully especially in both feet at the same time! And how long recovery normally takes. Yes i know what the text books say, but to be honest there is nothing like someones personal experience, and who better to ask than you guys

Any comments would be appreciated. Good luck to you all, I hope each and everyone of you recover swiftly.

Hello fellow sufferers. I used to be a runner, completing many marathons, half marathons and 10k's, I trained every day usually clocking up 10 miles a day.

In 2010 I went out for one of my usual training runs, but at the halfway stage on the route I felt pain in my left foot in the middle of the sole. I didn't think much about this as I have picked up slight injuries in the past, however this pain sort of ached, anyway I limped home, iced the foot as normal with injuries I picked up and rested the foot in an elevated position. next morning it didn't feel so bad although there was a little pain, so stupidly, I set off for another training run, believing that It was just a niggle and I could run it off. 1 mile into the run I had to stop as I just couldn't walk and had to hop home on my right foot, the pain was severe. I iced it immediately I got home.

Since that time 3 years have elapsed and I have undergone a number of treatments, first one was when I went to see a Physiotherapist privately and it was confirmed I had a Plantar Fasciitis injury. I was given stretching instructions and I bought a light plastic boot, sort of like a ski boot but all open at the front and it has Velcro straps on it to pull and stick and keep the foot and plantar in a stretched position with the toes leaning backwards and the pain subsided whilst this was on and I have to wear this every night in bed, it is cumbersome but effective and you do get used to it, however, in my case the pain ws still very severe when I took the boot off and began walking.

Over the period of 3 years, I have had 6 steroid injections into the plantar faciitis where it connects to the heel, two of those were by a physio and my GP. 4 of them were done in a controlled situation in an operating theater at hospital by an orthopedic surgeon looking at my foot through an xray screen so that he and I (As I was fully alert and awake) could see the needle enter my foot and be pushed to the point of pain. To anyone going for this op, it isn't too bad, the pain is minimal and bearable, first an injection around the heel is done to completely numb the area, then the second steroid needle is inserted, which even though the heel is numbed you do feel it going in at first, then a burning sensation as the steroid is injected into the point of pain.

As I mentioned I have had this pain for three years and it hasn't gone away, in fact it may actually be worse to be truthful, so I have been back to see another Orthopedic surgeon and he has agreed to do a direct open release of the plantar fascia origin. He told me that this is not guaranteed to be successful and that their are two nerves that have to be avoided at all costs during the op, but that at the end of the op he will boot up my foot and he said would like to get me walking as soon as possible after the op which would heal in 4 weeks, so this is what I am going to undergo as I cannot stand the pain any longer. At present I have to walk with two crutches, I cannot do anything like I used to do such as DIY, go for a long walk, stand on my feet for a period of time and in fact because of this inactivity, I have found that my weight has increased and I have put on 3 stone in weight, so this is another reason I have decided to go for the op, as I hate being overweight and this can lead to other medical problems.

Finally, I had never heard of this condition before and I would advise anyone who has started to suffer or is suffering with it to do complete research about it before carrying out any medical actions. I don't think I would have had all those steroid injections if I had done more research, I think I would have gone to see a specialist who fits a special boot to wear to stretch the plantar and keep it stretched over a period of 4 to 6 weeks, then see how it is after the boot is removed.

This is a very debilitating injury and is not one to be taken lightly, brushed off and ignored. It will not heal if you do not put in the time to do the exercises or wear this cumbersome footwear and you will just have permanent pain always if you do not take care of the situation methodically and systematically. This is the best info I can give to anyone.

I will give more feedback on this site after my operation to release the plantar and tell you what the result is good or bad.

best regards and good luck to all

Jamie