Plantar Fascitis

Hi Chris,

Can sympathise as I have had it for 6 months and it was stopping my walks with the dog. I was told there wasnothing for it oter than exercises and a night leg brace but the exercses did not work and I have been waiting for an appointment at the hospital to find out more about the leg brace and aqua punture. I  a fer gel heel pads andthey did help a bitbut then y other knee started etting verypainfl due to arthritis that I have sterroid injection for but this time they do ot appear to be working. I started taking painkillers that I habeen given for th Knee and the pain in the knee eased but the Plantar fasciitis pain dissipeared and has not given me any pain for the last week s would be worthou giving them a try. The painkillers  are Indmetacin and shouild be available from your doctor OK as they are for arthritis and ligament or tendon painC which plantar fasciitis is.

Hi Chris.

Sorry I missed an o it should of been INDOMETICAN.

Hi Chris,

I appear to have a brain problem as well now, I will try again INDOMETACIN think I have spelt it right this time, spelling never was my strong point.

I have had PF in my right foot for going on 4 years now.  Sometimes it is better than others, but it is a very difficult injury to treat.  I have done exercises, had shock wave therapy, had inserts for my shoes, but none of these have solved the problem.  I am now saving up to have something called (I think) PRP which is where they take some blood, spin it round and inject it into the foot.  However it is expensive, costs four figures, and involves staying off your feet for a time.  I haven't looked into it in any depth, so don't take it as gospel.  I am not sure what practical advice to give you as   I've struggled to get myself right;  shock wave therapy did work for a time, but the. It regressed, so not a permanent solution for me. I personally would not rely on tablets as to my mind they will just act as pain relief and not give a long term solution to the problem, although if they give you a break from the pain, then I suppose that's something. I have never heard of Indometican, so can't give any feedback on these tablets.  I do hope I haven't sounded too negative in this post.  I would really love someone to come along and say this is a definite cure, but still waiting for that I'm afraid!

Hi Chris it really is awful.  I am new to this site too and have had mine for about 8 weeks.  Elevating doesnt do anything for me.  The only relief i have had this christmas is taking paracetamol and ibrufen - i take 2 paracetamol then about 6 hours later take ibrufen,  then paracetamol again.  But you must take it regular to build up a pain resistance.  It has eased the constant pain to a more manageable level, but the sharp pain, i am yet to find anything to stop that.  Try not to stay on your feet too long, it really does make it worse!  Be careful how you walk.  I cant put my foot flat to the ground at the moment and any sudden movement is excrutiating!  So it is a hobble for now.  I am waiting to see the physio - will let you know how helpful it is.  You have my empathy - had my first nights proper sleep in weeks last night with this regime, hope it is helpful for you.  Best of luck Chris

Hi 

PF gives rise to the most excrusiating pain, I believe gout can be worse but much the same.

I am in the UK and now the weather is colder, I find sittting on the bath edge with my foot in a bowl and the shower head contantly flowing cold water into it helps. Not comfortable and must be done for about 30 minutes but can reduce inflammation and give some relief. Ok I know with the foot pain it is difficult to do this but it does help.

Drugs like Indometacin and Naproxen can really help but OTC stuff like Ibuprofin doesn't do much, nor do gels.

Foot rolling on frozen tubes can help as can stretching.but as I have said on a previous post, I don't think the medics really know how to deal with this. I get it it on a recurrant basis, between times I am fine and then...aaagh...the slight pain that gets worse and worse and I know I am out of action for at least the next week.

Sorry if I sound a bit gloomy but PF is really nasty and affects so many people in different ways.

Sorry I should have doctors and medics do NOT know how to deal with PF.

It is one those non-life threatening, merely 'troublesome' conditions that we have to deal and live with.

Little do they appreciate the excruciating pain, lack of mobility, and debilitating consequences it can have.

Hi David,

Were you there when my doctor said almost those same words, makes you want to say 'you try having it then and see how painful it is. As I also have gout I can agree the painlevel is about the same, my gout was in the big toe and the ball of the foot which would both swell up and go red where with PF it is just in front of the heel on the instep side but there is no swelling or redness.

I to do not like taking tablets but have to take allopurinul for the gout and that is OK now and then the INDOMETACIN for my Knee arthritis 25mg 3 times a day but now the pain has gone I will try cutting them down to one a day. Try looking them up on google and you will find they are for arthritis, gout and ligament?tendon pain so as I have all three it sounds ideal for me. Not advised if you have heart problems or stomach problems so go to your doctor to check before getting them.

I can really sympathise, I've been there! What I found helped was doing the calf stretching exercise as often as possible during the day, making sure the foot is stretched flat on the floor, for 20 seconds at a time. Also resting the foot as much as possible, stretching the foot before getting out of bed, stretching the foot whilst sitting at a computer, as often as possible.  Not carrying anything too heavy wherever possible, not walking fast, certainly not running. Mine gradually improved once I did these things to help the damaged tissue inside the foot to repair itself.  It can take a long time, you have to be patient as well as persistent. The first 6 months was the worst, then it very gradually got better over the next 18 months.  Respect the foot and help it as much as possible.