Plantar fascitis/agony. Please help.

Posted , 13 users are following.

I've had plantar fascitis for about 5 weeks in my left foot. It has been absolutely agonising. I have been a chef from the age of 16 until 27, being on my feet for hours on end with this is torture. I'm really struggling to cope at work and it has now started in my other foot as I've been putting my weight on my good foot when I can. I've tried orthotic insoles, a foot restraint, arch support, 5 and 10 percent ibuprofen gel, voltarol gel, Cocodamel, a night splint. Just bought some telic flip flops as I'm going away and some gel heel inserts. I've tried a foot roller, bag of frozen peas. Literally at my wit's end. The voltarol gel helps slightly but not for long and the night splint has eased the pain slightly but all the rest have failed miserable. Can anybody please recommend any form of treatment. I've looked into a tens therapy machine. But I don't know where to go next. Its starting to become expensive and frustrating with some but no relief. Thankyou

0 likes, 40 replies

40 Replies

Prev Next
  • Posted

    HI MITCHELL HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS FOUND ROLLING FOOT ON A ROLLING PIN TWICE A DAY 5/10 MINS TO THE POINT OF SLIGHTLY PAINFUL AND USING A TOWEL TO STRETCH ON THE BALL OF THE FOOT ALSO STRETCHING ACHILLES AND CALF ON STAIRS  ALSO  TO A POINT OF SLIGHTLY PAINFUL ,I HAVE NO MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE BUT IT SEEMS TO ME STRETCHING IS KEY. WOKE ONE MORNING AND IT WAS GONE THANKFULLY BACK WALKING 40 PLUS MILES A WEEK  BUT HAVEN'T STARTED RUNNING YET GOOD LUCK ALSO WORE RUBBER HEEL IN ALL MY SHOES

    • Posted

      I have a massage roller that I use anywhere between 3 to 8 times a day about 5/10 mins per foot. I haven't tried the towel stretching of the foot. I will try that. I've found a night splint helps quite well. It keeps your foot at an angle and fascia stretched through the night. So it doesn't stiffen up. Probably been the best thing I've used so far. I've had some gel heel inserts which I've used tonight which at first caused my feet to have a stabbing pain. IL find out properly tommorow at work if there any good. Thankyou for your help.

  • Posted

    Hi, PF is the worst pain ever! It reduced me to tears and I tried everything to cure it. After about 8 months my doctor referred me to a specialist who after an initial consultation, gave me a cortisone injection ( all on the wonderful nhs). The injection was painful, and the PF got worse still for 2 days but then gradually it improved and within 2 weeks had gone 😀That was a year ago and it has been fine since. I always now wear good shoes with plenty of support and don’t walk barefoot around the house. I would hate it to come back! 

    • Posted

      Yeah it's the worst pain I've encountered. I'd prefer to brake a leg again than tolerate this. Im on week 6 of this and I'm at my wit's end already. Yeah the nurse I saw explained about a steroid injection. But she said it's as a last resort, it doesn't always work/can get infected etc and you get injected into the most painful part of the fascia. Doesn't sound pleasant. So from your experience the injection is worth considering? I think shockwave treatment is next on the list. I've had some telic flip flops today. Only used them tonight but it's eased the pain alot. Thankyou for your help

    • Posted

      Hi, sorry for late reply. 100% worth having the injection. It was a specialist that did it and she used an ultra sound scanner to guide herself. She put in local anisthetic first but the steroid jab was still very painful, but she was speedy and it was over with in a few seconds. I know there can be complications but I was at my wits end and was prepared to try anything. Honestly I haven’t looked back since  !
    • Posted

      Hi. It's fine. I've finally found some relief myself. Relaxing on holiday, night splint. Massage roller with extensive use., A 5 min massage 2/3 times a days has really helped. The pain is next to none. But I will have to see when I go back to work as a chef. If the pain comes back I may have to consider it at some point. Did alot of walking yesterday and my feet feel tender.

  • Posted

    Hi Mitchell,

    You are welcome for my help.  Just got to hang in there with it.  Put your feet up when you get home from work, that can help and massage, which I think I already mentioned to you.

    I do hope you will get some relief very soon.  I am getting ready to put my feet up soon, which I am looking forward to.

    Take care,  Aimee

    • Posted

      Yeah Ive relaxed tonight since I've got in from work. Used my roller. Tested out my telic flip flops, gel heel inserts. I've got some k t tape coming tomorrow which somebody on here recommended highly. I'm off to Cyprus for 7 nights Wednesday, so there will be alot of relaxing involved and not moving about. And gin for the pain 😂

  • Posted

    Hi Mitchell,

    Sounds like you are going to have a very nice/relaxing time.

    Just remember to put your feet up when you can

    and massage your feet too

    Take care,  Aimeee

  • Posted

    I have found relief with over the counter Turmeric, and a plastic spike therapy ball. I place the ball on the floor and roll my foot on it
    • Posted

      I have a spikey massage roller which I've been using alot. A night splint I sleep in. Cold compress. And been getting my partner to massage the fascia for 5 mins 2/3 times a day has really helped and alot of rest as I'm on holiday First time in 6 weeks I have next to no pain. Them combined have really helped. I will look into the tumeric. Thankyou

  • Posted

    Hi Mitchell,

    Not sure if you read Jackie's post yet about getting an injection.  I have heard not so great things about doing that.  For example, it does not last for long as far as feeling better and also you can get a permanent hole in your foot.  Really, this is what I found out.. did some research about the whole thing.

    So, hope you are feeling a bit better.  I am a little sore/both feet right now.. but I am doing my best to handle that. Also, I have decided to work on losing some weight. Because extra weight can cause foot problems too, such as... this PF that we are suffering with.. YUCK!!!!

    Take care,  Aimee

    • Posted

      Yeah I've just read it. I've heard there's complications to the injection. I am actually feeling alot better. I've tested my foot since being on holiday. Used the massage roller alot. Tried k t tape somebody recommended but it didn't really help. I've found so far, the massage roller with extensive use. A massage for 5 mins 2/3 times a day, sleeping in a night splint and rest. All of them combined has really helped. The pain is 1/100th of what it was. We did alot of walking yesterday and my feet ache and there is a slight twinge. But the last fee of days the pain has been more or less none. It's been great to have some relief. Hope your not in too much pain

  • Posted

    Hi Mitchell,

    Glad to hear from you and that you are feeling better.  My pain is so so right now.  Always in the mornings, a little rough.  Did a lot of movement/exercise yesterday and went to bed with pain full feet.  Right now, not too pain full just a little and am glad that you are not thinking about the injection.

    Hope to hear back from you and take care of your feet and I will do the same.

    Aimee-

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.