Post by awkwardpenguin on Oct 1, 2014 14:21:49 GMT -5
I've had plantar fasciitis for over a year. I went back to the doc hoping I'd been misdiagnosed and she'd have a magical answer, but I guess I just have a recalcitrant case. I've been stretching as instructed, icing, and wearing OTC shoe inserts. Now I have a PT referral.
Has anyone dealt with this? What helped you to heal? Ideas of what to expect at PT?
I feel your pain, literally. I had PF for a year and it was stubborn. I had to stop running (which I love) and wear flats only. I'm a lot better and back to running, but still stick to flats.
What helped me was:
- stretching (both the foot and the calf) - rolling my foot over a ball like this (link) every so often while at my desk - custom orthotic inserts - the chiropractor and regular adjustments. She also used a cold laser therapy as well that I am not 100% sure helped, but it might have in conjunction with everything else. - wearing a night splint/boot.
It just takes a lot of time to get back to normal. I never thought it would get back to "normal" but it did ... eventually.
I have dealt with this twice. The first time I wore a night splint every night for a while. That seemed to cure it, but it came back about a year later. Then I suffered for another year before I tried PT. I remember a lot of calf stretching/strengthening and doing things like moving marbles with my toes.
One day in the gym before PT I broke two of my toes and ended up wearing a boot for 6 weeks. I couldn't do the therapy anymore, but having my foot stretched & held in the boot all day completely cured everything! That was two years ago now & it hasn't come back. Not recommending breaking your toes, but I think your best best is something like the boot or night splint to hold your foot in place for long periods of time.
I know three people who had it, and all 3 tore or ruptured their plantar fascia pushing things, trying to conservative therapies, and trying to KOKO with running. Based on that sample, I would go for aggressive treatment, a boot, the works, to try to deal with it conclusively. It seems like the sort of injury that will nag and nag otherwise.
Post by awkwardpenguin on Oct 1, 2014 15:29:09 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I just remembered I have orthaheel slippers so I'll pull those out. I also ordered a night splint. Susie, my experience has been docs don't take it very seriously, so I'll definitely advocate for myself. I really want to get back into running but that's on hold until my foot is better. Time to renew my swim pass!
Post by rachaelnicole on Oct 1, 2014 22:01:22 GMT -5
I am pretty sure I have plantar fasciitis, although I haven't gone to the doctor for it (we have really shitty insurance, so I'm hoping DH gets a new job soon with better insurance so I can go in and not have to pay as much). My mom had it about 10 years ago. She got a cortisone shot for it, and then it just never came back.
That's weird the doctor didn't take it seriously--it's very common and very painful
Pool instead of walking/aerobics and orthaheel slippers were the two biggest helps.
I don't think I had a severe case, but it was certainly painful. My coworker did the laser therapy through a chiro and that was the only thing that finally helped him. He said it was very painful treatment but worth it after just a couple of times.