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plantar fasciitis has ruined me

Posted , 11 users are following.

sproutz76
sproutz76

I am going on almost 2 years of aganizing pain and its to the point that i do not even want to walk anymore, there is no gettng up in morning and it going away, i is on the go all day. Pain meds dont work and i am not wantng pills anymore, i want relief. You think a doctor would be good with someone who wants to stay away from the pills. i have tried everythng and nothing is working at all anymore. I dont even wanna return to the doctor because i do not want the pills.

Any help shoot it my way

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • jocojohn
    jocojohn sproutz76

    Posted

    Hi,I have had PF 3 times now, twice in my right foot and once in the left. Like you I have tried most so called cures and after many years I have come to the following conclusion. Most people concentrate on pain relief during the day but I believe the secret to a cure happens at night while asleep. When the foot is relaxed at night the Plantar fascia contracts and as the body begins any healing process it is done in wrong ( contracted) position. When the first steps are taken in the morning the Plantar fascia is stretched and any healing is immediately undone, hence the pain and you are back to square one. What I am doing now ( with good progress) is to wear an elasticated arch support, not only during the day but at night so that any healing is taking place with the Plantar fascia in the stretched (normal) position. I would also recommend before getting out of bed, flexing and gently massaging the foot for as long as possible ( at least 5 minutes ) and then avoiding putting the full weight on the foot for several minutes.

      I have also tried using a leg splint  which keeps the foot at a stretched angle and although that help with the initial early first steps it was like sleeping wearing a wellington boot and a good nights sleep was not easy, so for now Im sticking with the elasticated arch support.

           A friend at work with PF has had good success when he was referred to a specialist at the hospital who moulded a special made to measure arch support. I am now awaiting an appointment to see them.

        I hope all this helps, I know what a pain it can be but there is light at the end of the tunnel

  • JerryR
    JerryR sproutz76

    Posted

    Sproutz, 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.

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

    • lws
      lws JerryR

      Posted

      JerryR,

      As a retired physician what is your opinion on having amniotic injection for plantar fasciitis treatment? I just received a recorded message from my Podiatrist today about this new treatment they are offering. I don't know anything about it and there isn't much information I can find about the success or side effects. I'm skeptical and have been living with plantar fasciitis for over a year in both feet. Have spent money on everything imaginable for the pain from custom inserts, gel pads, boots, Good Feet Store - 4 insert package, elastic wrap supports, you name it in addition to taking Anaprox 2x day and Tramadol at night if the pain is unbearable. I stretch my feet and calves all the time. I'm 52 and have always been active but this is now becoming debilitating and restricting what I can do. I refuse to have surgery. Even my Dr said she wouldn't recommend it for me and I value her opinion as she is also my friend. I'm just exhausted trying to find relief and accepting this is how it will be as this has become my new life.

      Thank you in advance for any advice. 

    • JerryR
      JerryR lws

      Posted

      Never heard of this treatment for PF. . .     but it will surely make someone good money.  Ask to see the controlled research on this treatment - or you will become the research.
    • jrbecker
      jrbecker lws

      Posted

      Curious to hear if you ever did the amniotic injection?  I had an injection a week ago and still waiting to see if it helps at all. 
  • anne_36655
    anne_36655 sproutz76

    Posted

    Hello

    I have had this condition on and off over the past 2 yrs booked surgery then cancelled it was too concerned about the recovery ... I have been having heavy duty massage on foot and calf wkly and then shock wave seems to be helping me .. it's uncomfortable and the massage hurts but it's seems to breaking up the damage just have to hang in there and keep going .. let me know if u get to try this ..

  • Aberzerk72
    Aberzerk72 sproutz76

    Posted

    I def feel for you.. 

    It sucks so bad. I find myself thinking about how long I can walk places and I was super fit!!

    I have had PF 5 mos. Right heel not too bad but left is a b*tch.

    Never heard of amniotic injection?? Let me know how it goes wink

    • PTA
      PTA Aberzerk72

      Posted

      Kinesiotape helps a lot of my patients...youbkind find PF taping techniques on line, specifically look up kttape or kttape on YouTube, their channel has every major taping method. Also agree with the cusion idea...your "heel needs time to heal" as I say😜 Do not use tape if you are allergic to adhesives, for example, band aids.

      Also might try freezing a water bottle and while seated, gently roll the bottom of your foot back and forth over that for a 3-5min to help reduce local inflammation and help mobilize the tissue. Stop if pain increases.

      Best of luck!

      Physical Therapist Assistant in Arizona.

    • Aberzerk72
      Aberzerk72 PTA

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice!! I’m allergic to bandaids .. just my luck! 

      I use ice but don’t roller bc I feel like that makes my heels worse.

      I have custom orthothic which’s helps but the pain is coming back now that cortisone wearing off. I won’t do that agsin or surgery.

      What’s your take on PRP? I’m seeing my foot surgeon this week prob to do another ultrasound and poss repeat mri.

      I was so in-shape... These toe exercises aren’t cutting it  lol

    • PTA
      PTA Aberzerk72

      Posted

      You are welcome! Oh bummer! 

      Well I've never seen a patient that has had PRP done...yet! Watch, tomorrow I will, hahaha!

      But it's non invasive and really is benificial for those with chronic plantar fasciitis...which really is no longer a true plantar fasciitis if it's slightly torn and symptoms and pain have been persisting for more than just several months. The inflammatory response:swelling, pain, redness...all of these are normal responses when the injury or dysfunction is "fresh".

      But after awhile, it is no longer present...which is good and bad...the inflammatory response provides the sight of injury with the tools it needs to heal and move on...difficult thing to do when the spot injured is a spot that we don't really ever give a break or opportunity to heal. It's good when that response is gone, but only if the spot is I the mend and healing.

       So really, the ice bottle idea can be done to help reduce pain, due to the massage factor and it may reduce some residual swelling. 

      But what little I know about PRP, it seems like it can be helpful...it is injecting the sight of injury with certain chemicals our body produces during the inflammatory stage...so really it purposefully starts the inflammatory stage all over again...which may help with healing. You would just need to monitor, protect the heel from to much impact and treat it like a new injury pretty much. But obviously do what your Dr says! 

      Here is a helpful little article on PRP you might like, enjoy and best of luck! http://www.podiatrytoday.com/point-counterpoint-prp-beneficial-chronic-plantar-fasciitis

      If you have any more questions, I would be happy to help or at least help point you in a direction that might be helpful. But always consult with your Dr. 

      Cheers!

    • PTA
      PTA Aberzerk72

      Posted

      And honestly...if you've only had PF symptoms for about 5 months...a good Physical Therapist can get that inflammatory response "active" again through manual therapy (massage), ultrasound that is therapeutic and meant to increase local circulation not for imaging and with more specific exercise. 

    • Aberzerk72
      Aberzerk72 PTA

      Posted

      So to confuse you and myself further.. I had a repeat ultrasound yesterday and it said my pf was 3.4 cm and to be truly pf it has to be 4-5cm minimum. Lol of course. 

      My original mri showed posterior tibial tenosynovitis which has calmed down, so I’m thinking my tendon may be weakened now from the constant orthothic use and original injury.. tendonitis.

      Also, when my arches fell as a result, my heel pain may be coming from having flat feet now that strike closer to the floor.

      So.. do you think I should start doing more barefoot strengthening??? I’ll be reliant on footwear and orthothics  which seems counterproductive??

      I do notice when I try and walk barefoot around house that gnarly little tendon gets annoyed.

      Thanks wink

    • PTA
      PTA Aberzerk72

      Posted

      Don't just go without any support at all...start with intrinsic foot strengthing to build that up but keep the support you have been given and prescribed. Example: #1 toe taps-while seated and feet flat on ground, shoes off...focus on just tapping your big toe 2 sets of ten...now reverse...keep the big toe still and just move the other toes up and down.  #2 Marble pick up: get some marbles, put them on the floor, use your toes(alternating from largest to smallest and grab the marbles with your toes...not between the toes, but pinch the marble with your toes and the sole of your foot, like your curling your toes(multiple toes can work together to help) . Put the marbles in a cup...do for 3-5min...stop if there is cramping or pain. 

      Start with these...stop if there is increased pain or modify exercises. Honestly you need to see a Physical therapist for more regulated exercise...most likely you could benefit from strengthening of both feet, legs, thighs, hips and core...they all affect each other wink 

      Best of luck!

    • deborah37166
      deborah37166 Aberzerk72

      Posted

      Do you have the physiotherapy exercises to do daily twice a day, ie the tip toe standing, and stretching the sole of the foot up against the wall for 20 sec, the hot and cold treatment, bag of ice, hot water bottle, good trainers must be worn all the time with insets in. The rolling pin under the foot, and the pull under the arch with a towel etc. PF can also have a bit of arthritis in it as well, so not much you can do there.  Rub Ibuprophen gel on your arch or heel or both.  If I have a episode of bad pain, I sleep with a thin cushion under my foot while sleeping that helps a bit, never had much luck with the compression sock, try to put your feet up and rest on the bed or sofa.  Reduce walking, but keep on with the above. Also check back with your physio if no improvement, I guess the best exercise would be swimming. 
    • JerryR
      JerryR deborah37166

      Posted

      Forget all that.  Just cushion, cushion and cushion!!!
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