Foot pain

[bobbie22]

I have a really bad pain under my foot. Chiropodist says it's Plantar Faciitis ? spelling. Anyway he gave me exercises which have not worked, in fact, the pain is so bad I can hardly walk. Any suggestions?

[fliptheswitch]

Oh my god, this is weird.
My Mum has the same, and I literally said to her this morning, that I would ask on here about it... thanks for reminding me!
I know you can do stretching exercises, but these didn't work for my Mum either.
In fact, she had a hospital appointment yesterday, where they injected the bottom of her foot with some kind of steroid injection.
Spoke to her about an hour ago, and she said it was still hurting. However, these injections are supposed to be good, so maybe speak to your doctor about it.
I know that investing in a good pair of cushioned shoes helped her... even though she's been limping for the past few months.

[Sqad]

Be more specific.....where about under your foot.

[rowanwitch]

cushioned shoes ...rest it...ice packs help before Sqad says it ibuprofen if you can take it it usually goes away eventually,,, orthotic insoles can sometimes help too

[bobbie22]

Thanks for that answer fliptheswitch. I will try and get an appointment with my doctor next week. Hope your Mum gets better soon

[fliptheswitch]

No worries, Bobbie. I feel for you, my Mums been in agony with it. Hope you get it sorted! :-)

[bobbie22]

sqad, its under the heel, on the pad on base of the foot

[Sqad]

Right....then the diagnosis is probably correct.

I can only agree with the advice of that fragrant English Rose, they call rowanwitch.

[bobbie22]

Thanks rowanwitch and sqad. I have got ibuprofen, co-dydramol and solpadol. Is ibuprofen the best of all?

[China Doll]

I was given gel insoles by the physiotherapist and they have been brilliant.

[madmaggot]

My OH had this and he couldn't even walk to the end of the garden; someone suggested that he should try 'FITFLOP' sandals. He was desperate to be able to walk so game to try anything so he ordered some. From the 1st time he wore them he said it was 80% better! He's worn them whenever the weather is dry and also uses them as slippers in the house and now is able to go on moderately long walks again (about 3-4 miles). They're quite expensive but are sometimes available 1/2 price in the sales. He's now really fussy about his footwear and will only wear really soft soled shoes but never, ever walks about the house without his fitflops on! BTW it took about 18months to get it to this stage.

[jno]

I had a steroid injection - ouch - and it cleared up quickly after that. I now wear the gel insoles too. I've not had any recurrence, touch wood.

[bobbie22]

Hi madmaggot. I looked fitflops and agree that they are expensive, but if this problem continues, I would say it was well worth it. Thanks for the info

[honky-tonk]

I have the same problem and it has now turned to heel spurs. See your GP to refer you to a Podiatrist and physiotherapist, in the mean time use a small ball and role your foot over the ball also ice packs are good for inflammation, you could try filling a small plastic bottle with water or a can of pop and freeze it then when frozen or cold enough roll the foot back and fourth on the top of bottle or can.

[madmaggot]

My OH decided against the injection because he was advised that it is extremely painful, doesn't always work and can make the condition worse. He decided to try self-help first.
He also has some liquid insoles called 'happy feet' which he uses in footwear other than his fitflops.

[rowanwitch]

Fragrant English Rose? you feeling ok Sqaddie poos

[jno]

madmaggot, the injection did make me yelp, but it's over in less than a second (less than a flu jab, say); and it removed considerable pain from my foot. It was well worth the yelp.

[Ankou]

he probably meant flagrant



:o]

[madmaggot]

Glad it worked for you jno; but my OH was convinced he would be the exception who never walks again!

[bobbie22]

Thanks everyone for all the replies and advice

[Postdog]

The effectiveness of steroid injections (which don't always work) also depends on the amount of standing or walking you do (and before anyone says it I know constant sitting can be a factor too) and they will wear off in time.

I had it for a couple of years when a postman, and the frequency of "attacks" between injections grew less and less - eventually it reached a point where I was not allowed injections because the previous one had been too recent, As said though, I was a postman and walking for a living.