Any one had/has Plantar Fascitis?

[Deltona_Dave]

I have had heel/arch pain for about 2 years. Foot Doc said it was Plantar Fascitis (sp). Basically the tendon that runs from the toes to the heel gets all inflamed, etc. My job requires me to be on my feet alot, kneeling and walking.

I have done the stretches, the shoe inserts, and the ever painful cortisone shots. Still keeps acting up every few weeks.

Doc suggested this week to have surgery. So next Wed, I will be out of commission for several weeks. He said I should be able to go back to work in about 10 days, wearing a special boot. I am glad my insurance covers everything and I have 10 weeks of paid leave accumulated.

I will probably get cabin fever not being able to putter in the garage, going to work (believe it or not, I like my job).

Anyone had the surgery? Doc said it will only take about 20 minutes under a local.

Dave

 

[ctc]

I used to have it when I worked as a consultant and was constantly standing up all day on hard data center floors. I now have a job where I can wear sneakers everyday and the plantar facitis is gone.

I hope your surgery goes well.

 

[mcrn]

Hey there I have not had the problem myself but a friend of mine has. He is going through physical therapy and special shoes. It seems to be working he is going on a 150 mile bike race this weekend. Also I know some Chiropractors can help your feet a lot by adjustments. IMO surgery should be the last resort.

 

[hate2work]

I had this several years ago after stepping on a rock while I was barefoot. Went to a podiatrist who put me in a plastic boot that kept my foot at a 90 degree angle to my leg. I had to wear it every day from the time I got home til I went back to work the next day. Sleeping with it on was the worst part, but the pain went away after 8 or 9 days of doing this.

If I had to do this again, I would do it differently. I would put the boot on Thursday night, take a vacation day on Friday, and not take it off until I went back to work Monday morning. The way I did it before, it was like it would heal quite a bit over night, then regress when I went to work the next day. Keeping it on for several days (and thereby keeping the foot immobile in that 90 degree position ) would have healed it much faster.

Good luck

 

[saberz]

Same boat, tried everything only I have a Osteo-chondrial injury in my right ankle. Over the years fragments chipped off the bone and cause inflammation. The ligament tore from the back side of the ankle so there is fluid there. Tried the therapies and they want surgery to be performed, but haven't been able to afford the time needed to do it. 6 weeks recovery and off my feet is tough, specially with my job tanking people I don't want to be one of them.

I hear most of the surgeries are quick, its just the recovery that takes the longest. I hope it works out for you.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Thanks all. I trust my DPM, we have tried all of the alternatives, and I get temporary relief. I can wear sneakers, but since I am working on vehicles all day, I wear Red Wing safety toe boots. I am constantly kneeling, running cables through door frames, pillars, trunk etc. When I am on my feet and moving around, it is not so bad, but when I get up in the morning, it is like having a flat tire and it takes a while to warm up.

Dave

 

[saberz]

I know how you feel, my foot is all achey in the morning and difficult to walk on for the first few minutes. Throughout the day if I sit to long(can't help it, part of the job) and go to stand its the same thing. Have to walk for a bit to get it comfy again.

 

[Billy_D]

The only thing that really works is having a customized orthotics to support your foot, you will have to live with some pain. Too many cortisone shots will weaken your fascia. Also don’t expect too much from the surgery, the surgery will only help relieve the pain a notch.

 

[carwreck]

I know herbal stuff sounds like nonsense, but it does work for me.

This is not a "cure", and you have to take it everyday. This combination has eliminated ankle swelling and joint pain for me ---
1. Ibuprofen 2. Fish oil pills ( Omega-3 ) 3. Saw Palmetto (herb with fatty acid sterols)

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
When I am on my feet and moving around, it is not so bad, but when I get up in the morning, it is like having a flat tire and it takes a while to warm up.

Dave


Same thing here, mornings were the worst. When I first got the brace, I didn't understand that I was supposed to sleep with it on to keep my foot at 90 degrees. Without the brace, your foot relaxes down when you sleep, it begins to heal in that position and then you get up and step on it and the PAIN comes. Keeping the brace on for longer periods, including over night, is what finally fixed my foot by giving it a chance to heal in the right position~

 

[opus1]

I have dealt with this off and on for years. First time around, a shot of cortisone, some PT (ultrasound and electrical stimulation) and orthodics carried me for about 8 years.

Problems came back in 2005, responded temporarily, recurred in 2007.

I have one acronym for you: ESWT.

Extracorporal Shock Wave Treatment.

Long story short, it's similar to the process that they use to break up kidney stones using shock waves, only they shave the tendon down. The way the doc explained it, in effect they damage the tendon to help the body heal itself. They shaved off about half of the thickness of the tendon and after about a week of walkin around doped up with darvoset and taking it easy for a couple of months, I can happily say that that foot has not been a problem since.

This is non-invasive by the way, a big plus. The downside is that not all insurance co's cover it -- mine didn't claiming it was "experimental", but thanks to some clever use of grant money, I was only out of pocket the doctor's fees, about $300.

Something to consider.

 

[oilboy123]

Mine started when I was taking medications and gained some weight about 17 years ago.

Have not really noticed it in recent years. Other problems as I am closing in on 50 in a year and a half.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Billy007
Too many cortisone shots will weaken your fascia.


My DPM said "so what?" to this (even if the fascia ends up snapping) as that is basically what is done during the invasive surgery.

BTW; I've had 3 shots in the past year, and yes, it helps for ~a month and then the pain comes back again, even with using the plastic boot brace.
Heel spurs are a B***H!!!

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

BTW; I've had 3 shots in the past year, and yes, it helps for ~a month and then the pain comes back again, even with using the plastic boot brace.
Heel spurs are a B***H!!!


Yes I compare it to stabbing through the muscle with a sharp knife.