does anyone have plantar faciitis (heel spur)?

apprentice_tycoon

I'd like to know if anyone had had any experience with getting help for this painful condition on the NHS?

I've been developing a pain in my foot for a few weeks now and the website in the link describes it perfectly - to the letter - and it's getting so sore so that I'm walking with a distinct limp when on hard ground (grass and carpet is bearable) as I can't put my heel down without it feeling as if I'm walking on hot coals.

My GP has confirmed my homemade diagnosis and suggested paracetamol, and that's all, so I think that I will need to see a podiatrist and have a wedge device for under my foot to ease the burning sensation, can this be done on the NHS? How have others been treated, NHS or privately?

As a supplementary question is there any such thing as a temporary disabled sticker for cars? (I'm assuming that this will go away in time) because at the moment getting around town to do the normal day to day basic shopping is a painful business and being able to park nearer to the shops would be a great help.

Ted_Hutchinson

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

As a supplementary question is there any such thing as a temporary disabled sticker for cars? (I'm assuming that this will go away in time) because at the moment getting around town to do the normal day to day basic shopping is a painful business and being able to park nearer to the shops would be a great help.

No I'm afraid blue badges are strickly for those with a permanent disability.
Eligibility Criteria to receive a Blue Badge

You may find the information here Plantar fasciitis: evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy. useful

Plantar Fasciitis: What You Should Know

Bossyboots

Have a look at this site http://www.drfoot.co.uk/

I have found it very useful.

apprentice_tycoon

Thank you both, perhaps I can alleviate the condition with that foot stretch - looks painful though! I'll try that for a week or two before I try any treatment

Shokami

Hi apprentice tycoon. A friend at work had this. The orthopaedic bod gave her a steroid & local anaesthetic injection which got rid of the pain in a few days. If your GP can't or won't do it ask to be referred to an orthopaedic consultant in your local hospital. Hope that helps.

Josie_Jump_3

Oh my god - yes I do and how much pain am I in!

pennymakespounds

i had this a couple of years ago. Got really bad . Think a lot of it was due to wearing flat slippers in the house all day.

Went to doctors ... gave me painkillers but suggested i get a special "heel insert" ( sorry can't remember proper name .. bought it online from Boots. ).. it's a moulded heel shape that just goes inside shoes to give support where it's needed .
Helped quite a bit .

The real cure was going to a local independant sports shop ( not just a jjb type) and told the owner about the ailment and he recommended a particular make / type of trainer to wear .

I was amazed .. as soon as i put them on i could walk perfectly without any pain . Really were tremendous . Have helped immensely over time.. particular as i do walk a lot just for exercise / enjoyment.

Couple of years on .. i use the loose insert in normal shoes ..just to be safe... and have recently bought another pair of same trainer as others were getting scruffy.

I don't have any pain now.

Don't know about the "drfoot" website .. i do remember seeing a daily paper ad last year for a specialist doctor who did an even better version of heel insert .

Josie_Jump_3

Sorry for the short reply above but I was so 'excited' to find someone else has the same ailment as me.

I've been suffering for approx 6 months, I play football and played on for a couple of months with the injury because I didn't want to miss any games. The pain got worse and worse and eventually I went to my doc, he prescribed anti-inflammitory cream which didn't do too much good, I then went to see the biomechanic a month or so ago and she gave me insoles for my feet and I do all the stretches but I'm sorry to say I'm still suffering. I go back next week for a follow up and will be asking for the cortizone injection as I can't take much more of the pain plus the footy season starts in a couple of weeks and I need to be fit for that.

Nile

Hello apprentice tycoon

When I saw the title of your thread, I immediately thought of the Ballerina and Principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, Darcey Bussell.

You will see from this link to her website that you have something in common.;) I think that her operation for bone spurs was a big success and she's been dancing pain free ever since.

Whatever treatment you receive, I hope you're pain free soon too.

Kind Regards

Nile

apprentice_tycoon

so I will be able to dance the Nutcracker again? - phew, I was worried for a few minutes there...

Thanks Nile, I'll read her website

pavlovs_dog

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

so I will be able to dance the Nutcracker again? - phew, I was worried for a few minutes there...

Thanks Nile, I'll read her website

:rotfl: :rotfl: