Plantar Fasciitis

[Jammer]

Anybody ever have this? I'm not 100% sure I have it, but as a Google Dr I have all the systems. I run 5 miles a day and a little more than a week ago my heal started hurting pretty bad. I limped around a couple of days and it started feeling better so I went out for another run. I got about 2.5 miles in and I had to stop. My heal didn't necessarily hurt but it was too uncomfortable to continue. The next morning my whole foot; especially my heal, felt as if it was on fire. I've been limping for the last few days. I can't put any pressure on my heal. Tennis shoes are my footwear every where I go now (I work in an office environment). Today my heal finally started to feel as if it is getting better but I know I can't run on it. I'm going crazy not being able to run so I'm wondering from anyone who's gone through this how long before it goes away?

 

[jrumann59]

Could be bone spurs. I have it and the only issues I have is when I have weight off my feet for a period of time and I get up and try and walk my first 10 or so steps are "painful". on scale 1-10 the doc said my pain should be 5-6 with flair ups in the 7 but to me its not that bad pain to me rates at a 2-3. Almost like a sprain. Try some inserts or go to a foot doctor. If you know a place that has the Scholl's machine that takes a reading of your feet and dispenses the proper insert that may help.

 

[panchucko]

I had it the last 4 years I was in the National Guard, it sucked. I would run/walk daily 4-5 miles, after the workout I would have to stay off my feet for 2-3 hours. After that I could move around pretty good. I did this almost every day. I finally had surgery and they removed a heel spur, I have been fine every since surgery was in 2010 and I haven't had any issues with my feet. I also developed a tailors bunion, it was along my little toe, it was pushing my little toe away from the rest, I had to have a screw put in and had it for 3 or 4 weeks, after surgery I had to stay off my foot for about 6 weeks, rode a little scooter, I was a dummy to not have the surgery sooner I may not have had so many issues if I had taken care of it sooner. I did have ortho shoe inserts, they helped while I was running/walking but didn't do much for just everyday movement. I also used foot sleeves and even taped my foot at times. My suggestion is to get it fixed sooner than later.

 

[cml750]

I have dealt with it for several years. I had to have surgery to correct it in my right foot. Now my left foot is giving me trouble. Does your foot hurt worse when you first get out of bed and put weight on it or when you have been sitting a while and first put weight on it? If so, you definitely have it.

 

[Aikmaniac]

I have these same symptoms as well. The doc told me to stretch using the directions he provided every morning. There's also a rubber ball that looks like a porcupine that will help. Just roll it back and forth on the bottom of your foot.

 

[iceberg]

you'll find more answers than you'll ever know what to do with, to be honest. i've been dealing with heel spurs since 1977. they suck. i did have the option to have them removed but "the boot" and walking cast and 6 months and hell, just live with it, i decided.

dr scholls is ok. anything that can offer support is good. the bottom line will be just buying the best shoes you can really. i just got a pair of new balance shoes with rollbar technology and hoping that wasn't $150 wasted.

the inserts will be hit and miss and shoes will fit so differently with some of them in there depending on the shoe. i have one pair of addidas that when i have the inserts in my foot doesn't fit in as it should but it's a hell of a lot more comfortable in the end. after 2-3 days i have noticed it's helped but the bottom line will be the stretches and just having to change up on how to deal with it. the people i know who have had surgery were back to getting novacain shots in 6 months after the boot removal so it was not worth it to them.

it sucks. you'll just have to go through and find something that works for you.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Amputation is the one way.

 

[Jammer]

Thanks guys for the responses. I went a week without running and last night I hit the treadmill to get a run in as my heal wasn't too bad. I did 5 miles and my heal felt sore but not painful. I also tried out a new pair of running shoes to see if it helped. I woke up this morning and my heal hurt but more importantly my left hip was killing me. It's been hurting somewhat but nothing to slow me down during my run. It usually quits hurting during the run and slowly feels sore after about an hour or rest. I don't know if it's because I'm running differently to compensate for the heal pain or if it's something else entirely. I always used to joke that I'm was never sore or in pain because I never worked out. Well now I'm probably in the best shape I've been in the last 20 years but it seems like something is always hurting. I'm gong to physical therapy now for my shoulder and now this. I don't want to become a couch potatoe again but maybe my body is telling me something.

 

[Jammer]

I have dealt with it for several years. I had to have surgery to correct it in my right foot. Now my left foot is giving me trouble. Does your foot hurt worse when you first get out of bed and put weight on it or when you have been sitting a while and first put weight on it? If so, you definitely have it.

Yes to everything you said. That's why when I Googled it I had all the symptoms.

 

[cml750]

Yes to everything you said. That's why when I Googled it I had all the symptoms.

Not sure where you live but I know a heck of a good podiatrist surgeon who can fix it for you. I was back to work in a week. I ma going to get my left foot operated on as soon as I find the time to take off for a week. The surgery is really very simple. He actually go into your arch and cuts the plantar fascia a little and pops it loose so that there is gap in it. Scar tissue will grow into the gap which effectively lengthens the plantar fascia. The pain comes form the plantar fascia and the achilles tendon playing tug of war with each other in your heal. This "tug of war" causes a bone spur to form. With the surgery I spoke of lengthening the plantar fascia, it stops the "tug of war" and the heal pain goes away. The arch is sore for a while but heals quickly because it does not bare weight directly.

 

[Jammer]

Not sure where you live but I know a heck of a good podiatrist surgeon who can fix it for you. I was back to work in a week. I ma going to get my left foot operated on as soon as I find the time to take off for a week. The surgery is really very simple. He actually go into your arch and cuts the plantar fascia a little and pops it loose so that there is gap in it. Scar tissue will grow into the gap which effectively lengthens the plantar fascia. The pain comes form the plantar fascia and the achilles tendon playing tug of war with each other in your heal. This "tug of war" causes a bone spur to form. With the surgery I spoke of lengthening the plantar fascia, it stops the "tug of war" and the heal pain goes away. The arch is sore for a while but heals quickly because it does not bare weight directly.

Thanks for the knowledge. I live in Charleston, SC, but I'm sure I can find a good foot doctor. I hope it heals on its own, however.

 

[cml750]

Thanks for the knowledge. I live in Charleston, SC, but I'm sure I can find a good foot doctor. I hope it heals on its own, however.

Good luck!!!

 

[Idgit]

Roll your IT bands, see if it helps. I had PF for about 18 mo's and nothing worked until I went in for massage one day and the dude just worked my IT bands. It was pissing me off (because it hurts), but I jumped off the table and the PF had disappeared. It came back 2-3 times, but I just worked the IT bands with a styrofoam roller, and it eventually cleared up for good. Good luck with it.

 

[Doc50]

Not sure where you live but I know a heck of a good podiatrist surgeon who can fix it for you. I was back to work in a week. I ma going to get my left foot operated on as soon as I find the time to take off for a week. The surgery is really very simple. He actually go into your arch and cuts the plantar fascia a little and pops it loose so that there is gap in it. Scar tissue will grow into the gap which effectively lengthens the plantar fascia. The pain comes form the plantar fascia and the achilles tendon playing tug of war with each other in your heal. This "tug of war" causes a bone spur to form. With the surgery I spoke of lengthening the plantar fascia, it stops the "tug of war" and the heal pain goes away. The arch is sore for a while but heals quickly because it does not bare weight directly.

That's not a very correct explanation of the pathology or the corrective surgery.

Don't take anecdotal evidence as a course of action for your problem.
See an orthopedist, have a proper evaluation, and formulate a plan of treatment that is right for your specific condition.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

I had plantar fasciitis about 8 years ago and I had extreme heel pain every morning then I rupture my plantar tendon playing ball. (My foot went NUMB)

After being in a walking boot for almost 3 months and physical therapy I haven't felt even a hint of pain since then.

Before the rupture I had heel pain for years afterwards nothing at all..

 

[cml750]

That's not a very correct explanation of the pathology or the corrective surgery.

Don't take anecdotal evidence as a course of action for your problem.
See an orthopedist, have a proper evaluation, and formulate a plan of treatment that is right for your specific condition.

I assume you are a doctor given your username. The way I described the surgery is exactly the way the podiatrist explained it to me. The procedure was called an
In-Step Plantar Fasciotomy. This particular podiatrist also happens to be close personal friend so I know he was shooting straight with me. Also, duh, nobody should have surgery without consulting with a physician first which is sort of a prerequisite.

 

[Jammer]

I just realized I've been spelling heel as "heal" the whole time. I guess subconsciously I swapped the spelling around because I really wanted my heel to heal. I better not let my daughter see this. Misspelling words that sound the same but mean differnt things is a pet peeve of hours.(ours)

 

[cml750]

I had plantar fasciitis about 8 years ago and I had extreme heel pain every morning then I rupture my plantar tendon playing ball. (My foot went NUMB)

After being in a walking boot for almost 3 months and physical therapy I haven't felt even a hint of pain since then.

Before the rupture I had heel pain for years afterwards nothing at all..

What happened to you is basically the exact same thing that happens in the surgical procedure I had. You plantar fascia popped and scar tissue formed which effectively lengthened your plantar fascia thus no more pain.

 

[cml750]

That's not a very correct explanation of the pathology or the corrective surgery.

Don't take anecdotal evidence as a course of action for your problem.
See an orthopedist, have a proper evaluation, and formulate a plan of treatment that is right for your specific condition.

I will also add that I would recommend seeing a podiatrist as oppossed to a general orthopedist. Podiatrist specialize in foot issues. That is not to say an orthopedist can't treat the issue but why not go to someone who specializes in the area you are having trouble with. I have had two back surgeries also. I went to a nuerosurgeon for both instead of an orthopedist. If I needed knee surgery I would see an orthopedist but if there is a physician who specializes in a certain area for which I am having issues, I am going to them!!!

 

[bulldozer]

In 2008 after suffering for years and spending a fortune on Dr.s and shoes and inserts I had focused shock wave done on both heals . It hurt like hell to have the procedure done but I have been pain free ever since.
Btw my vet did the treatment.
Also discovered Crocks modi flip flops , they are the most comfortable shoes I own, there are actually some forums out there where a bunch of old guys discuss them . Good luck..