Anyone had any experience with Plantar Fasciitis of the foot?

I’ve always handled it on my own (which, to be honest, may not be the best way) doing the things you described. NSAIDs work well for me, and supportive sneakers, staying off it when possible, etc. The podiatrist might be a faster way to go, I don’t know. Ouch. I feel for you, it’s no damned picnic.

It may help if you get a tennis ball and step on it ( sitting down of course ) and roll it back and forth, kinda like giving yourself a massage. Do it three times a day for as long as you feel comfortable. And do use anti inflammatory, like advil. But hey, if you can afford it and have the time go see a Dr. Hope this helps.

@mrmijunte ; I’ll try the tennis ball thing next time. Thanks.

Yes, and it’s annoying. I found that stretching my feet and calves before getting out of bed in the morning helped a lot. I even know people who “write the alphabet” with their feet to get a variety of stretches. I then went to a podiatrist because of a bunion issue. I told him about this pain too and he had me do ultrasound therapy twice a week at his office. This article from wikipedia mentions it briefly. I went twice a week for five weeks, I think it was five anyway, and I haven’t had the problem since. That was 2002 and I haven’t had a problem since. That, however, is just me. I would try the NSAID, tennis ball and stretching first.

I had it and it was painful. I fixed it myself by stretching in the morning. I hung my feet off the end of the bed and bent them up and down. I’d go to the end position hold it there for a few seconds and then move another centimeter and hold it. It cured itself in about 3 weeks – no drugs, no doc visits.
I still wiggle my feet in the morning in case it is thinking about coming back.

Thank you everyone…. you would be correct @JilltheTooth, not much fun.

I had it after knee surgery, probably from imbalance that overstretched the fascia. It was excruciating- a really bad case. Besides the tennis ball trick mentioned above, another good stretch is to stand with the balls of your feet on a step and lower your heels, then hold for a count of three. Repeat this five times several times a day.

Special shoes can help. When it was at its worst, I wore Z-Coils for a few months- dorky as hell, but they worked! Now I wear Naot sandals and New Balance walking shoes. I’ve also lost quite a bit of weight. All of these have helped; no more problems! An occasional twinge after a really long walk is all.

@crisw thank you…will try those! I need some relief somehow. That is a wild looking shoe. Also expensive.

I have heel spurs and got a plantar faciotomy I think it was called. It was outpatient procedure where the doc makes a slight cut along the width of the area effected. This relief cut allowed it to take the tension off the tendon. Even then it might take a few months for the pain to stop. That in conjunction with inserts for my shoes seemed to work.

@woodcutter how long did it take for this to heal…the surgery part.

Yes, I had an extraordinary amount of trouble. Went to a physiotherapist who custom made orthotic inserts for me, and never had a problem since.

Ummm… might check that out @Harold ! Thank you for the help.

@BoBo1946 – No problem. Much better option than surgery or drugs or injections.

that injections sounds like the ultimate pain…the foot is so sensitive..ouch…

First of all get a professional diagnosis before you spend more time, money and effort.
I am dealing with plantar fasciitis for more than a year now and I understood that treatment efficiency is very individual. If something works for one it may not work for the other. There are many treatment techniques that you can try.
Did you try Taping? I have found it very useful. Taping will keep your foot from getting injured again and will help you get through your daily routine. There are a few Taping techniques you can use.
I also found a very informative website with more good ideas in: http://www.plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com/How_is_Plantar_Fasciitis_Treated.html
Take care & Good luck

@ezrida thought of that this morning, taping. I’m old coach and understand the concept. Thank you for the good info. Good luck to you too! It is a pain in the, “foot” and arse!

@BoBo1946 how long did it take to heal? Hmmmmm. It was 13 yrs ago and I’m gonna say I had to take it easy for about a week or was supposed to:/. I did notice that my shoe size increased by a ½ size due to the fact that when the arches get lower, your foot gets longer if you can imagine it.

@woodcutter yeah, my shoe has increased from a 12 to a 13 over the last 10 years. My arches have fallen. I can see that..dang, this sucker is sore. Thank you.

@BoBo1946 I remember those days when my feet were killing me and it is hard to have a nice day ever when the dogs are hurtin’

loll….hey, it’s hard to go on a flat tire! I taped it and that helped.

@BoBo1946 Hey, I tried that for a while and got tired of shaving my feet.. ug, ug

@woodcutter I’m taping it over my socks. That way, no shaving. It helps. Again, thank you for the info my friend!

Hi
I have forgot to mention that i was using a night splint which was very helpful. My podiatrist recommended the use of a night splint.