Posted by 10derHeart on June 28, 2005, at 23:36:39
In reply to Plantar fasciitis---Ouch!, posted by gardenergirl on June 26, 2005, at 20:44:26
Hey gg,
Well, finally something on this board I can help with a little. Yeah!...but not that you have the dreaded PF. I am an old veteran of this. Have had it in both feet, twice in the left. Was even on crutches for a while (though I rarely used them - maybe one and just hopped around a lot) It's very painful and annoying.
With me it flared up with differnt combinations of gaining weight, starting a new/different exercise program or simply walking/running too much.
I agree with everything already said...except I ultimately had steroid shots (cortizone, if I recall) in both feet (years apart) and they were very successful for me. Now maybe the docs painted a rosy picture, but 2 podiatrists told me the worst that could have happen was it wouldn't work at all. The best - a nearly instant cure. Both times for me, it was the latter. No kidding.
I can't remember the second one as much, but the first time I had been doing all the other stuff - meaning stretching, ultrasound treatments (helps the inflamation and feels WONDERFUL), rest, ice, wearing a brace at night that holds the ankle flexed to keep the tendons lengthened (when I could stand it - brought on more insomnia!) - and really, the heel pain was only improved like 50% at most. So, I had an injection. Within maybe 3 hours all pain was GONE and didn't return for like 7 years - and then just mildly when I lived near the beach in Cali and started run/walking on the sand too much! It was truly like a medical miracle. I remember jumping around, trying to hurt my heel and I couldn't. I had been suffering almost every day for 1.5 to 2 YEARS and poof! Cured!
So....I don't doubt it's true someone should be experienced - I can guess the injection of the steroid itself might disrupt something if placed in the wrong spot...causing more inflamation....more pain...etc. Best if it ever came to that to really question the doc's experience, for sure. Had a wonderful podiatrist who injected me...he was gorgeous, too, so I tried to look into his eyes to distract from the shot pain (hurts and stings...but was so worth it) I was being a bad girl ;-)
Anyway, I know you've self-diagnosed at this point, but it sounds right. Maybe a bone spur as well, or instead of, but a foot doc should be able to differentiate from x-rays, maybe another type of scan, hands-on exam (free foot rub!)and mainly, your symptom reporting. PF is very common, and more with women (big surprise, right). Question - is it worst first thing in the morning? That first step out of bed? Staggering and limping to the kitchen or bathroom? If so, that's a dead giveaway. A tip they give and I swore by - is DON'T do first morning walking barefoot - ever. Use firm sandals (thick soles with lots of support, but that *give*, too) or at least slippers. The cords that run the length of the foot that are tight and pulling (root cause of the condition), are shortest then. They really need babying by careful walking, or better yet, stretching exercises in bed before walking. Why this can get so chronic for people like me, is that we actually re-injure the spot on the heel over and over each morning. And so it goes.
Ortho inserts are awesome. They feel good and take the pressure off a lot during the day. I had two pair. Making them is even fun - you get to sink your feet into foam and wiggle around. Yes - I am easily amused! I was in the USAF the whole time, so it was all free to me. Can't provide any insight on the $$ or insurance parts.
I've rambled all over here. I probably know some more good and useful information, but organizing thoughts seems impossible today. Please, if any questions come to mind, ask. Promise I'll try to make sense and be a bit more brief.
PS: I think there are a lot of options, and most work for people before ever getting close to the injection point...or surgery! I was mostly too undisciplined to keep up with a lot of the stuff they wanted me doing daily...so I said, "bring on the needle!"
poster:10derHeart
thread:519515
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050411/msgs/520893.html