Plantar Fasciitis, what a curse!!

[jyoutz]

I coached with my podiatrist for years before I needed his services. He went to Cornell and played FB for them, too. He doesn't prescribe oral meds.

Custom orthotics are mostly a scam. Few people actually need them. He gave me some shots for short term relief. Also some topical patches. The thing that really helped is stretching. The lack of flexibility causes the pain. No problems for years since I started stretching. To be fair, it takes a long time at first.

Also important to get shoes that fit correctly. Asics work well for me. Needed wider shoes. The specific model depends on your pronation.

I don’t consider orthotics to be a scam. They work well for me. Yes the pain is due to lack of flexibility, but that lack is due to tendon damage. That’s why the ASTYM physical therapy helps: to break up the old scar tissue. Perfectly fit shoes are a huge help and I don’t wear orthotics in my custom made white’s boots because the arch is made to fit me. It’s almost impossible to find shoes off the rack that have the correct arch support and that’s where orthotics help.

 

[newbury]

I tried Power Step Pinnacle and they work too. I don't know which are better, but I do know that I have to wear something to support my arches every day or I will be in pain.

When I had major problems with PF about 5 years ago I went to the doctor at my HMO and she prescribed Power Step Pinnacle. Which they sold "under the counter" at the receptionist for Podiatry, but they wanted a ridiculously low price, something like $12/pair, about what generic Dr. Scholl's were going for. While every place else I found the Power Step Pinnacle they were like $40.
I only bought 3 pair, not knowing they were going to stop selling them under the counter in a few months. Should have bought a couple of dozen. Since then I've tried a half dozen other brands, none worked as well for me.

 

[SPYDERLK]

That's my problem. I commission new power plants, and I've had a bunch of sites recently that involved a lot of walking on paved or gravel surfaces. Especially the site I've been working in Canada. I think the problem really flared up when I was there before the end of the year and it was icy. I wore these grabber/cleat things that slip over your boot to give you traction on ice. Walking with the dang things was like having something poking you right in the bottom of the arch. I've been bringing 2 different sets of boots on every job since and keep swapping between them to try to get relief. I bought some of the Dr. Scholls, Plantar Fasciitis inserts and I'll give them a try. I bought some expensive "Sole" branded inserts, and they did nothing for me.

I wore that brace last night, not perfect, but it seemed to work. This morning, I stretched and went straight into my tennis shoes. I'm trying to "tread lightly" (see what I did there?), and try to get on top of this before I go back to that site next week.

Every time I think I'm seeing improvement; I have a set back. It seems like all it takes is 10 steps in the wrong shoes, not properly stretched, wrong surface etc.etc. and you're screwed again.

Have you tried Meloxicam? It is a prescribed NSAID. 1 pill/day. I find benefit much longer lasting. A couple or 3 days taking, then no need for weeks or even months before you think you need another one. It is not fast acting. You wont notice anything for at least half a day. -- Then hmm-mm?!

 

[Torvy]

I don’t consider orthotics to be a scam. They work well for me. Yes the pain is due to lack of flexibility, but that lack is due to tendon damage. That’s why the ASTYM physical therapy helps: to break up the old scar tissue. Perfectly fit shoes are a huge help and I don’t wear orthotics in my custom made white’s boots because the arch is made to fit me. It’s almost impossible to find shoes off the rack that have the correct arch support and that’s where orthotics help.

For MOST people CUSTOM orthotics are a scam. Damage causes the pain. Shots, ice and topical analgesics mitigate the pain. Stretching keeps the problem from returning.

For MOST people correctly sized shoes do what orthotics do for a lot less money and they don't look like you have problems.

 

[jyoutz]

For MOST people CUSTOM orthotics are a scam. Damage causes the pain. Shots, ice and topical analgesics mitigate the pain. Stretching keeps the problem from returning.

For MOST people correctly sized shoes do what orthotics do for a lot less money and they don't look like you have problems.

If stretching cures the problem, it’s a strain, not true plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is tendon damage, either weakness or a tear. Meds simply reduce pain but don’t fix the tendon damage. Once the plantar fascia tendon is damaged, it is always weak and needs support. A lot of what people refer to as plantar fasciitis is a simple strain that does heal over time.

 

[Torvy]

Doctors disagree with you.

Plantar fasciitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.org

"Treatment
Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, such as icing the painful area, stretching, and modifying or staying away from activities that cause pain."

 

[jyoutz]

Doctors disagree with you.

Plantar fasciitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.org

"Treatment
Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, such as icing the painful area, stretching, and modifying or staying away from activities that cause pain."

Yep, for mild cases that is a strain. The OP and I were describing chronic situations. Chronic situations are caused by tendon damage.

 

[Torvy]

I've got spurs and spent 2 years in pain. Sorry your doctor wasn't good enough to solve the problem. Orthotics are not a solution. They disguise the root problem.

If you cannot resolve with stretching, they would do surgical procedures (up to and including severing the plantar fascia completely).

Highly recommend seeing a better podiatrist.

 

[jyoutz]

I've got spurs and spent 2 years in pain. Sorry your doctor wasn't good enough to solve the problem. Orthotics are not a solution. They disguise the root problem.

If you cannot resolve with stretching, they would do surgical procedures (up to and including severing the plantar fascia completely).

Highly recommend seeing a better podiatrist.

I have no problem now after the ASTYM therapy and good orthotics. Many other people find relief the same way. Surgery is a last resort.

 

[m7040]

I have lots of pain if not using custom hard inserts that prevents the rocking of the foot as I walk. Also have high arch so got the Nick boots custom fit for that with Spenco insoles and the hard half insoles added as well.