Shoes/insoles for relieving plantar fasciitis

getcarter

I have the above condition (though I haven't been to the doctor about it yet), I've bought some half insoles that I'm not really getting on with and some fitflops that are quite comfy. (my trainers are really comfy too).

I need some shoes for work though, I have to wear a suit so they need to go with that. I was thinking of getting some black trainers but i'm not sure i'll get away with it!

Nice to be slightly fashionable............and not too expensive.

Can anyone recommend anything?

jenniewb

My mum has this, she was referred to a physio and they gave her a pair, all NHS so worth asking for a referral maybe? Think they work better if fitted to your feet but Boots have some insoles which are around the £35 mark.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Get proper treatment. It only gets worse and steroid injections into the side of the sole when it is so inflamed that nothing helps, really sting.

ash4becks

why dont you explain this to your boss note of doc may help untill treatment sorted, pad out all of my shoes with insoles often doubled over idea maybe x

Philippa36

Go see your GP - they'll refer you for proper insoles.

getcarter

Thanks for your replies...I will be ringing the doctors for an appointment today!

Myrtle

It depends where you live. My doc didn't refer me for insoles even though I could barely walk - she said the waiting list was so long, it wasn't worth it! She gave me an exercise sheet which has helped a little. I ended up buying some of these shoes from Amazon. Not cheap at all, but without them I can't walk more than a couple of steps.
http://www.heavenlyfeet.co.uk/shop/alegria-ladies-672.php

siaoeh

when I first started suffering from PF, I bought some silicon heel pads from boots (about 12 quid I think, green in colour with a centre tear drop shape bit you can take out if you want) and they worked a treat in easing the pain. I think the main thing is the need to raise and cushion the heel bit, hence totally flat shoes will be bad for PF sufferers.

Also calf stretches helps too (straighten leg and point your toes back towards you and stretch the calf muscles, do it often and it might help? certainly helped me. I do them at night before I sleep and when I wake up and whenever I remember or feel the need to)

I then came across the Fitflop brand flip flops and they were a life saver! its funny cos one of the things they say about PF is not to wear flipflops! but I guess cos the sole is really thick and absorbs a lot of the impact as we walk, and the straps go quite far back to give good support, it works. the pain is nearly no more since I started wearing them sandals/shoes. since then I have gone and bought their winter range of sheepskin boots too (looking much better and gives much better support than most of the Ugg type boots around, even my podiatrist said so)

this is the official site for them www.fitflop.com/products

they cost from 30 quid upwards for the sandals, boots are a bit more. quite a few online shps sell them with free P&P, Boots and John Lewis do them too, found them in a few independant shoe shops as well. I think the Gough series might work for work attire? they are clog like slip on shoes with suede outer and a new shiny leather type outer too! I wore my boots to work for the winter, bootcut trousers cover them fine and they just look like chunky suede shoes LOL also looked alright with skirts and tights, depends on what sort of work environment of course, I work in the creative field so its not that formal.

I have to say I'm totally not related in any way to the brand at all, but it really had saved me a lot of pain from PF. I now hardly get it these days, except for the days I wear other shoes without the heel pads or overly flat shoes (which apparently is one of the main causes of PF!)

hope you can find some ways to ease the pain soon, I remember how bad they can get!

bordercars

My wife had plantar fasciitis about 5 years ago. The doctor referred her to a specialist at the hospital who then referred her to the pain clinic. She had the steroid injection in the side of her heel. She said at the time it was the most painful thing she had ever had done (worse than child birth) but it has proved certainly worth it. She has had no problems since so her advice is take the plunge and try and get the injection. It really works. Good luck.!

ka7e

I've had the condition for about 8 months and my GP has said the steroid injection isn't suitable for me - my pain is right on the back of the heel and it has poor results there. I bought a cheap pair of Springboost trainers (Amazon, Sports Direct) for £15. These have changeable insoles that actually tip your foot upwards, so the heels are slightly lower than your toes - stretching your Achilles tendon. I loathe trainers with a passion (and they are so hot when the weather is nice!) but these are the only shoes I can wear at the moment.

I'm looking for summery shoes that won't exacerbate the problem - I usually wear Hush Puppies toe-post sandals or Crocs and have tried them for short periods but couldn't get away with wearing them all day

My GP is a runner and has suffered from PF himself. He says the inflammation is like tennis elbow etc and can go away on it's own but recommended foot and Achilles tendon stretches as the best treatment.

Savvy_Sue

Doing calf stretches morning and evening while I clean my teeth keeps mine at bay. In winter I have full length insoles with arch supports in my shoes, fitted in a Rieker shop, not cheap but worth it. In summer I wear a pair of Technicals sandals I got in the Blacks sale last summer, they have a bit of arch support, just enough. I do have some 'fancy' sandals but I'd struggle to wear them all day.