Plantar Fasciitis

[tezmand]

anyone ever suffered from it ? how long did it take to get better

[Kathyan]

I had it a few years ago. Don't envy you it's very painful! I don't think it lasted for very long. A couple of weeks I think.

[sfby]

I had it for a few weeks before seeing a doctor - he advised me to stretch the foot muscles prior to standing up which helped a little. I think the main improvement was an evening and morning massage with Ibuprofen gel - it hurts at the time, but it had gone within 3 weeks.

[naomi24]

I was on crutches for six months before eventually going to see an expert in sports injuries who cured it in two visits.

[LyndaB]

Me, I've had it twice. I can't wear slippers round the house as they don't supports my feet enough. I have some Birkenstock sandals which help greatly. I also have some insoles which I had to measured for, they fit inside my shoes. It doesn't help that I have a job where I'm on my feet all day, but I think it's something I'm going to have to learn to live with. Most days it's ok, but sometimes I'm in agony :-(

[woofgang]

me. It went on for months till I started wearing crocs and resting.

[China Doll]

Yep, it lasted a month or two before I was referred to a physio who gave me some exercises to do and some gel insoles to wear until it had calmed down a bit - I noticed the difference after a few days of doing the exercises and now am hardly bothered by it. If I feel it's starting to flare up again, I just repeat the exercises.

I have had to stop wearing heels though but that was also due to my hip... well, I don't wear high heels at any rate... ;o)

[divegirl]

I've had it on and off for 4 years, I've had the cortisone jabs about 6 times with varying degrees of success. I wouldn't be with out my crocs at home... total godsend.

Lisa x

[piggynose]

isn't it something to do with fallen arches? i have it and have to live with it.

[jno]

I had an injection in my foot (steroid I think?) that made me yell for half a second but did the trick. I now have a heel support - the effect is to stretch the heel and the ball of the foot apart, so it may be the opposite of a "fallen" arch. I initially tried using an arch support but that did no good.

[emmie]

apparently i do, having just seen a podiatrist - though i honestly have my doubts, but it's bloody horrible whatever it is, i have had it more than a year, had i seen someone sooner, or asked why i get electric type shocks under the feet whether walking or standing still, then maybe i could have solved it sooner. good luck whichever way,

[Eve]

I found some heel inserts and exercises helped. Gently stretching the undersides of my feet helped as did trainers with toner type soles. I think they helped keep gently stretching with them being rounded, I got a bargain pair from Sports Direct.

[queen 1954]

very painful,mine lasted around 6 months but didnt want the injections as i have a needle phobia so had exercises and insoles to support the arch.i still get the odd twinge but hopefully i will never get it that bad again and i make sure i always use the insoles now.

[JoolsTwo]

I wear a pair of Fitflops around the house which help and I had some physio exercises to do and they really helped. Mine last several months - they also measured me for arch supports to wear in my shoes. Mainly trainers, if I'm going to be walking far I have to have shoe with good support too. Hope it doesn't last too long for you.

[tezmand]

thanks for your replys very helpful

[Backdrifter]

I've just been diagnosed with it. In comparison mine's perhaps not too bad judging by some of the responses here, but it's been bugging me for a while. I sometimes have a limp from it. I've been given a sheet of stretching exercises which I'm now doing. I gather it might still be 1 to 3 months before it properly clears up though.

[tezmand]

Backdrifter what are the exercises ? i havnt been doctors but from all symptoms i know ive got it

[kazza55]

I'm on my feet all day at work (I'm a picker and walk miles) I used to be in agony with heelpain every day, but since my employer made me wear non slip SFC workshoes, I rarely have any bother with heelpain. These are a black leather trainer type shoe with thick soles. They don't look too bad with trousers. It means I no longer have to wear insoles.

[granny grump]

Like others mine lasted months and I had a steroid injection and heat treatment. The two exercises that helped me were picking up marbles with my toes and with heel on the ground moving your foot right or left and dropping the marble. A strip of cloth about an inch wide was laid in front on the floor and you had to screw it up from one end to the other if I remember rightly - or was that after I broke my leg??

[margie-h]

I fully sympathise! Mine started about 10 months ago, got better during the summer, then excruciatingly worse again. Had to walk with a stick and was contemplating buying a mobility scooter. Meds and cortisone jabs weren't helping so I bought the Troo Step insoles advertised on this site, (type in plantar fasciitis and ads come up) and that really helped. Finally I tried sleeping for 3 nights with leg stretched out (difficult!) to stretch the tendon and each morning my foot was less painful! The improvement has continued and now dogwalks are pain-free! Hope this helps and you get better soon.

[Backdrifter]

tezmand - sorry only just saw your answer. One of the exercises was already mentioned above - picking stuff up (e.g. a cloth) with your scrunched toes. Crossing the affected leg over the other, grasping the toes of the affected foot, and pulling them towards your body, holding for as long as is comfortable, then repeat several times. Resting the arch of the foot on a tennis ball (it advises a can, but the ball works better) and rolling it slowly and firmly back and forth for as long as is comfortable. And if you're flexible enough, sitting on the floor with your legs stretched in front of you, bending forward to grasp your toes and pulling them back towards you. It advises trying these (or whichever ones you choose) twice a day.