Plantar Fasciitis, heel pain

jayward

Hi
I saw a old thread that was talking about Plantar Fasciitis.
I have had it now for18 months.i was wondering if the people that posted before have recovered and how people that others that have it are coping :eek:
making finding Bargains difficult

Codswallop

Hi jayward
I don't know if this has already been said but Radio 4 had a medical expert discussing foot problems about 1-2 months ago. I remember that Plantar Fasciitis was discussed with the expert. If you go to the R4 website, you should be able to find the script in the archive. I think the programme called Medical Matters, it's on in the afternoon. Hope you can find a cure!

wolfehouse

i have it- over a year now and just about starting to feel a bit better.
but i still have to watch out what shoes i wear.
the podiatrist gave me some insoles which were the thing that helped me.
(although i could have bought some over the counter ones and that would have done- the kind that support the heal or i've seen the nhs physio at our local walk-in physio clinic hand them out free too)

110frankie

I had it for about six months, a nurse friend told me what it was and I was about to go to my GP when it simply disappeared.
Not had a twinge from it for months now.

angel

My 13 year old son has had it for just over two years now. It's been pretty bad for him and at times he couldn't walk for more than 5 minutes or so and often couldn't do PE. Luckily his PE teacher's brother had it so he understood. He said that his brother grew out of it.

He's had NHS insoles made for him during this time and these are the only ones that help although they only make him one pair a year which is a problem as they end up in tatters which doesn't help much.

He was given physio exercises by the GP, she printed them off, but being 13 he hasn't really done them! Maybe you could look online for some? One of the ones that he was given was to stand on the edge of a step and gently drop his heels down lower, he was told to do that a few times a day.

Luckily it seems to be going now and he can do PE again, which he loves. He's also started ice skating which hurts but he takes ibuprofen beforehand which eases it a lot. It breaks my heart watching him limp through the pain, he's very brave about it though.

Hope that it goes soon for you.

Ted_Hutchinson

The old thread is does anyone have plantar faciitis (heel spur)?
It may be worth PM'ing some of the contributors.

I suspect the Radio4 programme was Case Notes Tuesday 25 September2007

jayward

Hi thanks for your reply’s .its quite bad at the moment, I have it in both heels and is not improving despite steroid injections 2 in one side and 3 in another also exercises and ultrasound treatment . physiotherapy they said they cant do any more, so back to consultant in 5 weeks time, crutches were given to me to use when its bad I wanted to find out how other people cope
:eek: .making finding Bargains difficult

positivelymummy

jayward, sorry to hear what a tough time you're having, i had this a couple of years ago, it i didn;t know what it was, just thought cos i was always on my feet, then when i got pain first thing in the morning i knew it wasn't right, luckily the chiropodist was my best friend:D so i went to see the dr, and luckily for me it went within 5 or 6 months from start to finish, i always wear flat shoes etc, and i found wearing heels helped me with the pain (tho i hate wearing heels all day) so i was pretty lucky, but i really sympathise with you, its impossible to rest, you use your feet all the time!! i hope something works soon for you.

chickalittle

I have this along with Mortons neuroma - I got to the point where i was hobbling along and in doing so, you start walking differently trying to avoid the painful parts which then has a knock on effect on other parts of your body.
I have a special insole from bio -mechanics and took a lot of time choosing shoes that I thought might help. After trying different makes, I have found that for me, Earth shoes with my in soles allow me to walk all day pain free. www.lovethoseshoes.com might be a good starting point. I know they are more expensive but what price pain free walking?


Once you find some shoes that help, one tip is often they can be bought at half the price in the US so if you have any kind family members or friends out there or know anyone going it could save you money.

jayward

Hi I have telephoned the consultants secretary to see if he will refer me to a podiatrist, waiting for a call back .I think I might have to wait till dec when I next see him

moneylover

I have insoles but for flat feet. Inserts are also commonly used for fascitis. The good ones are made to measure (dont go to Boots) and, frankly will be as good as your podiatrist....
My feet would be very painful without them. One tip that may be of help is Hotter shoes. There shops are in the north and in Bournemouth but they are online too and they do not mind you sending shoes back till you get the right ones. Some local independent stores sell Hotter too. The thing about Hotter is that they have inpact absorbing soles and, more importantly have insoles in them that you remove to make room for your purpose made insoles. If you have insoles you must wear flat lace up shoes. Another make along exactly the same lines and easier to get hold of is Ecco.
There is nothing I dont know about insoles having had to wear them most of my adult life - however only a consultant would be able to say if they would help with a particular persons plantar fascitis. I pay apprx £150 for insoles privately in London - there is usually quite a long wait for orthotics on the NHS - sadly its a bit of a cinderella service.