Plantar fasciitis

plan2behealthy
on 5/30/08 12:17 am - Long Beach, CA
Can anyone tell me if they have plantar fasciitis?  Did it improve with WLS? It is so painful to walk.  I have it in both feet.  I have already seen a Doctor who prescribed orthotics.  Originally when I saw him I only had problems with one foot.  Not both hurt.  I am hoping weight loss will help this, but I am a little bit worried.  I can't wait to start walking to help with the weight loss, but it is so painful to walk.  How did you cope with the pain?  I currently ice my feet twice a day and take 800 mg of motrin twice a day, which I will have to stop soon because of surgery.  Oh and yes I did get the orthotics, they help a little bit.  I also have a splint I wear at night. Linda
Jodi W
on 5/30/08 12:33 am, edited 5/30/08 1:07 am - SIMI VALLEY, CA
HI LINDA

I DON'T HAVE IT  BUT I FOUND THIS ABOUT IT. WHICH YOU PROBABLY AKLREADY KNOW.

You're more likely to get the condition if you're a woman, if you're overweight, or if you have a job that requires a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces. You're also at risk if you walk or run for exercise, especially if you have tight calf muscles that limit how far you can flex your ankles. People with very flat feet or very high arches are also more prone to plantar fasciitis.

The condition starts gradually with mild pain at the heel bone often referred to as a stone bruise. You're more likely to feel it after (not during) exercise. The pain classically occurs again after arising from a midday lunch break.

If you don't treat plantar fasciitis, it may become a chronic condition. You may not be able to keep up your level of activity and you may also develop symptoms of foot, knee, hip and back problems because of the way plantar fasciitis changes the way you walk.

Top of page Treatments

Rest and NSAIDs

Rest is the first treatment for plantar fasciitis. Try to keep weight off your foot until the inflammation goes away. You can also apply ice to the sore area for 20 minutes three or four times a day to relieve your symptoms. Often a doctor will prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.

Exercises

A program of home exercises to stretch your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia are the mainstay of treating the condition and lessening the chance of recurrence.

 

In one exercise, you lean forward against a wall with one knee straight and heel on the ground. Your other knee is bent. Your heel cord and foot arch stretch as you lean. Hold for 10 seconds, relax and straighten up. Repeat 20 times for each sore heel.

 

 

In the second exercise, you lean forward onto a countertop, spreading your feet apart with one foot in front of the other. Flex your knees and squat down, keeping your heels on the ground as long as possible. Your heel cords and foot arches will stretch as the heels come up in the stretch. Hold for 10 seconds, relax and straighten up. Repeat 20 times.

 

Top of page Rehabilitation

About 90 percent of people with plantar fasciitis improve significantly after two months of initial treatment. You may be advised to use shoes with shock-absorbing soles or fitted with a standard orthotic device like a rubber heel pad. Your foot may be taped into a specific position.

If your plantar fasciitis continues after a few months of conservative treatment, your doctor may inject your heel with steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroid). If you still have symptoms, you may need to wear a walking cast for two to three weeks or positional splint when you sleep. In a few cases, you might need surgery to release your ligament. 

WELL LINDA THAT'S ALL I GOT. I SURE HOPE THAT YOU FIND SOME RELIEF AS THAT SOUNDS VERY PAINFULL AND THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THEN YOUR FEET HURTING. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT WLS GIVES YOU SOME RELIEF ALSO, TAKE CARE AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY,

 

  
   
             
Hearts JODI    Hearts                 

Kim S.
on 5/30/08 12:50 am, edited 5/30/08 6:21 am - Riverside, CA
I had pain in my feet from plantar fasciitis for two years. I went back and forth to the podiatrist. What helped me the most was the cortizone shots. I also wore a removable cast. Don't ever be without shoes either athletic shoes with your orthotics, or birkenstocks. My birkenstocks were my savior!!!! I haven't lost much weight since I am preop, but the little I did seemed to help.
~*Kim*~ Lost 30 lbs pre op!
Shari M.
on 5/30/08 12:50 am - Wildomar, CA
I had it in one foot and it was the most excruciating pain of my life. I finally had surgery and it was the best thing I ever did in my life. I kinda feel that now that you have it, wls will help, but the dammage is already done, ya know. Once the tendon is dammaged you may be able to put less pressure on it, but it is still damaged. That is just my opinion. There aren't many exercises you can do with hurt feet...but swimming is good. Good luck on your journey...but keep surgery in mind. For me it was 1000 times better after surgery. Shari
Photobucket Photobucket  Micah 18 months, Emma 3

plan2behealthy
on 5/30/08 1:21 am - Long Beach, CA
Thank you all.  It's so bad that I know when the tendons re-tear, I can actually feel the burning sensantion when this happens.  I think that I will probably join the YMCA or a health club with a pool.  I had totally forgotten about swimming as a form of exercise.  It's depressing not being able to walk right now.  The more I walk, the more i pay for it later. Thanks Jodi for the information above.  I have tried all of that too.  Nothing seems to work.  I have already received the cortisone injections into the heels (very painful) but it didn't last long, and now they can't do anymore for another year.  I have a naturally high arch.  I bought the best walking shoes the podiatrist recommended. (they are ugly) but not alot of improvement.  I am praying that once I lose some of this excess poundage my footsies will feel better  Linda
Ms Shell
on 5/30/08 1:48 am - Hawthorne, CA
I was diagnosed with plantar fascitis years ago.  I am known for not wearing shoes.  I do the exercises almost everyday when I brush my teeth stretching while I brush.  THAT is probably the only thing that totally helps me. I use the orthothatics in my work out shoes.  I am pretty much pain free to tolerable pain for which I don't need the meds.  It flairs up every few years and I get an injection.  I definitely recommend those stretching exercises EVERY chance you get. Ms Shell

"WLS is only for people who are ready to move past the "diet" mentality" ~Alison Brown
"WLS is not a Do-Over (repeat same mistakes = get a similar outcome.)  It is a Do-BETTER (make lifestyle changes you can continue forever.)" ~ Michele Vicara aka Eggface

mawtjw
on 5/30/08 4:47 am - Fremont, CA
I tried everything (shots, etc.) but what  finally cured it was wearing athletic shoes with orthotics ALL DAY, EVERY DAY for an entire summer. It went away and thankfully hasn't come back. You poor thing - I know how awful it is - hang in there and good luck! Mary Anne
carla L.
on 5/30/08 5:41 am, edited 5/30/08 5:42 am - Modesto, CA
hi i had it and it was horrible... im so sorry but let me tell u this... i found a cheap and effective cure... im a hairdresser and im on my feet for 10 hrs or so a day and i found these shoe inserts and in about a month i was better and in just a short time totally healed, I WILL NEVER BE WITHOUT THEM AGAIN... I FOUND THEM AT A HAIRSHOW AND THEY COME IN FLIP FLOP AND SANDLE OR REGULAR... ON THE SANDLE/ FLIP FLOP ONES U HAVE TO ROLL PACKAGING TAPE INSIDE OUT AND STICK THEM IN YOUR SANDLE BUT THEY HAVE A SLIT FOR THE TOE THINGIE,,, ANYWAY HERE IS THE NAME ETC...  aquastep  www.aquastep.com  1-888-610-1584
carla
plan2behealthy
on 5/30/08 6:12 am - Long Beach, CA

Thanks Carla, I will check them out.  I have been wearing athletic shoes with my orthotics everyday.  In fact the shoes I wear were recommended by my podiatrist ($$)  I have also had the cortisone injections.  I am willing to try anything at this point.  I will look up the shoe inserts.   Thank you all for the advise.  The support on this CA forum is so GREAT  Linda

Becka49er
on 5/30/08 6:45 am - Antelope, CA
Sorry to hear about your pain.  It will get better with the weight loss. But until then Try Z coil shoes. They are the best. Funny looking and a bit expensive. But well worth it. I got mine on ebay for less.  They are used by a lot of nurses.  Look them up.
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