[Wren_]

My feet have a number of problems ... one of the problems is plantar fascitis another is achilles tendonitis in both feet

I've been to several different podiatrists; had them suggest various orthotics which didn't help; had them give conflicting advice about different exercises that would help various foot related injuries (apparently my heel needs me to stretch my calf; but that damages my knee )

So far other than seeing money and time vanish nothing has helped and the pain and problems continue; the latest is a sensation as though my heel has ripped away from something which is making walking even more uncomfortable.

Has anyone who has experienced any of these found anything that helped? not really keen to try steroid injections into the site as my doctor suggested

[neeshi]

Orthotics did work for me when I had plantar fasciitis. You have to give it a week at least before you notice a difference because it takes time for the tissue to heal. Also you may want to have a pair of shoes that you only wear indoors because you should always have a supportive shoe on when you are going through this. Using a running type shoe with a gel heel will help a lot.

For me the best orthotics were the kind that are made from a plaster cast of your foot. I go to a physical therapist whose had a lot of experience doing it. He wraps those bandages around your foot to make the cast and then sends it off to the company that makes the orthotics. I found that the type of orthotics that are thick and cushy (they are blue) have worked the best for me. The other option is the thinner burgundy colored ones, which are OK but don't have that extra cushiness that I need in the heel.

I wouldn't be afraid of the steroid injections. If you are having such a hard time healing, it may be what you need. I have had iontophoresis therapy (which delivers steroids to the affected area) on my shoulder, elbow and hip with great success for problems in healing various injuries. I was told by my physical therapist, though, that iontophoresis patches won't work for plantar fasciitis because of the distance between the patch and the area of the heel being treated.

Again, try a shoe with a gel heel, have a pair for indoor use only -- don't go barefoot even when you get up in the middle of the night, consider having orthotics made that are made by casting your foot, choose the cushy kind of orthotics and do consider having the steroid injections.

[unaluna]

How does that damage your knee? You can do it with your knee bent, which means it's not engaged.

You can fix it over time, but it could take a couple years. First thing is, dont let it get worse. I noticed I was hurting myself getting out of bed in the morning, so I started being careful about how I step out. Now I always step into my slippers, which are kinda built up. And just watching tv, you can flex your feet back and forth.

My gp says he hurts playing golf, it doesnt have to do with weight. He is my age (61).

So no more bare feet or too flat of shoes!

[neeshi]

According to my physical therapist, exercises will not help with plantar fasciitis because it's an "overuse" problem and exercising that area is the last thing you want to do.

The stretch actually does make it feel a bit better, though. It's the kind of stretch that you get when your foot is half way over a step and you make the back half of your foot stretch down to the lower step. I don't think these stretches alone will heal plantar fasciitis, but it does feel good to do that unless, of course, it's hurting your calf muscle!

[Wren_]

Thanks Neelamishi and Hankster

I was getting a sense of Ahhhh mixed with arrghh as I read about the bare feet and shoes; that's what happened last night with the ripping of my heel. I had bare feet and was walking a few steps when it happened

Hankster, with my knee the physiotherapist didn't like the calf stretch my podiatrist suggested because it involved hyperextending the knee - I guess there are different ones that might help though

I feel so totally over going to podiatrists just now; but I also need my feet better ...

I wouldn't be afraid of the steroid injections. If you are having such a hard time healing, it may be what you need. I have had iontophoresis therapy (which delivers steroids to the affected area) on my shoulder, elbow and hip with great success for problems in healing various injuries. I was told by my physical therapist, though, that iontophoresis patches won't work for plantar fasciitis because of the distance between the patch and the area of the heel being treated.

Thanks, the doctor suggested it for my shoulder as well but I didn't like the sound of it

[krisakira]

I had surgery for Plantar Fasciitis back in January. It took 6 months to finally get the pain to mostly subside. It was a very painful recovery, though.

[neeshi]

It just occurred to me that it's confusing when you hear 'steroid shots'. Steroid shots in this case have nothing to with the kind of steroids that athletes sometimes take that cause so many problems. It's the difference between anabolic and catabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are what some athletes take to build muscle mass and catabolic steroids would be the medicine, cortisone, which is used to reduce inflammation. So, a steroid shot in this case would be a cortisone shot -- the shot version of taking prednisone -- although I don't think taking oral prednisone would work to overcome plantar fasciitis, which is why it's given as a shot.

I don't have any experience with steroid shots for plantar fasciitis since the other strategies worked for me. Does your physiotherapist (same as a physical therapist, right?) use iontophoresis patches? I wonder if the patches would work for achilles tendonitis? I have had experience using iontophoresis patches on my shoulder and it worked! It takes awhile, though. You have to go two times a week for four to six weeks, but it's worth it if you've been suffering in pain and have a limited range of motion.

Just to give you an idea about the type of shoe to wear -- I've been using Saucony ProGrid Echelon 2, which works perfectly for me. Unfortunately Saucony is not making that shoe anymore and the Echelon 3 is a completely different shoe that does not offer the same kind of support that I need. What I will have to do the next time I need a new pair (which is usually once a year) is go to the shoe store in town that sells mainly running shoes and have them fit me for a new brand. This particular shoe store specializes in finding the perfect (athletic running) shoe for people with these kind of medical issues in addition to selling to athletes!

I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis for over a month now because of poor fitting shoes. (One foot is 3 sizes larger than the other so one shoe is always too big.) The only thing that has been helping me is wearing a dorsal night splint when I sleep and walk around the house. (I got mine through my podiatrist.) Icing also helps as does applying products like Ben Gay. Though my stomach is not able to handle them, taking anti-inflammatories like aspirin or Advil will also help.

[Nicks_Nose]

I had plantar fasciitis and bought the orthotics and still have them three years later, although I don't wear them all the time now. My feet have healed. It did take some time, in many weeks to heal because my feet were reshaping with the orthotics back to where they should be instead of where years of working on my feet had resulted in them being. The transformation of my feet back to proper corrected shape with the orthotics took some time but with patience, it resolved all issues with the plantar fasciitis.

As for the knee issue...my mother has knee problems and she has had cortisone (steroid) shots as well and they do work for a period of time but, depending on whether the issue is chronic or temporary, the shots might require regular treatment. If the knee trouble is only temporary and needs time to heal... a cortisone shot maay do wonders for you until it gets better on its own.

[Wren_]

Originally Posted by krisakira

I had surgery for Plantar Fasciitis back in January. It took 6 months to finally get the pain to mostly subside. It was a very painful recovery, though.

Wow I'm sorry you needed surgery for your plantar fasciitis; how is your foot now after the six months of recovery?

Neelamishi thanks for the information on the different types of 'steroid shots'. A lot of that I didn't realise and yes same as a physiotherapist She hasn't mentioned anything about iontophoresis patches though; but then it was the doctor talking about steroids; never heard of the patches until reading your post I'll look up the shoes you mentioned; I'm not sure if we have them available here or not.

Thanks unhappyguy; that would be very hard finding shoes for your feet! I have trouble just with a slight variation in shoe sizes; and yes ... the problem with a lot of things that would help my feet, knees and other things is that in turn it would cause stomach problems.

That's great news your feet have healed Nicks_Nose - and encouraging! it also helps reading that it takes time and patience with the orthotics; I wish the podiatrists had explained better about the foot transformation that takes place. Also thanks on the information about your mother's knee experience. I'm learning a lot from everyones replies!

[Open Eyes]

Oh, I feel for you, I had it in both my feet and it was so painful, mostly after I rested and then would try to walk. I finally had "soft" orthotics specially made for my feet and had shoes fitted and I had the same problem with my heels too and the specialist that made the soft orthotics took away some of the heal part in my orthotic to create a soft trampoline for my heels.

I also did get injections because I was in so much pain. It took a long time to "heal" and I wore the soft orthotics in my sneakers (which is all I could wear) for a few years.

When you get out of bed always gently message your feet and go very "easy" and have your shoes with the orthotics ready to put on. Unfortunately the injured part of your foot tends to "contract" in rest and when you go to walk it reinjures. Yes, it is such a nightmare to deal with.

You need to be very patient, it is not a quick fix, it takes time.

OE

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by tigergirl

My feet have a number of problems ... one of the problems is plantar fascitis another is achilles tendonitis in both feet

I've been to several different podiatrists; had them suggest various orthotics which didn't help; had them give conflicting advice about different exercises that would help various foot related injuries (apparently my heel needs me to stretch my calf; but that damages my knee )

So far other than seeing money and time vanish nothing has helped and the pain and problems continue; the latest is a sensation as though my heel has ripped away from something which is making walking even more uncomfortable.

Physiotherapists are the experts in the exercises you can and should do, not a podiatrist.

I had plantar fasciitis and have to stretch my calves even now for other reasons, but I haven't had the knee problems. Physio helped more than anything, but I like my new flexible orthotic - made by Sole Supports (Different from typical hard orthotics - really customized.) It's for flat feet, so it might not be appropriate for you, though.

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by tigergirl

Hankster, with my knee the physiotherapist didn't like the calf stretch my podiatrist suggested because it involved hyperextending the knee - I guess there are different ones that might help though.

Yeah, keeping the knee slightly bent instead will exercise the lower part of the calf and some of the achilles tendon. I also found that really resting and protecting the overused muscles/tendons/fascia is critical to them healing. Lots of ice and rest, then do the exercises that can help nearby areas - like the calf stretch.

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis for over a month now because of poor fitting shoes. (One foot is 3 sizes larger than the other so one shoe is always too big.)

I suffered for years from poor fitting shoes, too. I needed to buck up and spend a lot more money for really narrow shoes. I think you need to buy two pairs and use one from each, unfortunately, to properly take care of yourself. Feet are critical, especially for someone who was into sports such as yourself.

Don't follow my advice because I may not know what I am talking about, but I remember a footballer who cured this condition by jumping off a table and rupturing that particular tendon.