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Plantar Fasciitus help

(12 Posts)
Sealover Fri 10-Jan-20 10:29:42

Just been browsing various posts, saw that PF was mentioned in quite a few so just wanted to share my experience which may be helpful to some.
Last year I had PF to the point that one day I was vomiting with the pain. I had scans, ortho consults etc. When I tracked it back I remembered that just prior to it starting I had had severe night leg cramps, where the calf muscle was in spasm for days afterwards. I have some anatomical knowledge, this cramp would be pulling on the attachments leading to the faschia. I began taking magnesium in the evening to counteract cramp.
Immediately, the cramps stopped, the PF went in less than a week. The ortho consultant dismissed this, the specialist physio wholeheartedly agreed with me. I have forgotten about the PF which was the most miserable pain and so debilitating. I do use orthotics and find them helpful.

Fennel Fri 10-Jan-20 12:55:16

That rings a bell Sealover, but only the bit about magnesium and leg cramps. My friend was advised to take magnesium for leg cramps by her doctor and it worked.
BTW, what is plantar fascilitus?

Fennel Fri 10-Jan-20 12:58:16

ps I spelt it wrong.

Sealover Fri 10-Jan-20 15:46:28

Hi, Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the soft tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. It feels like you are walking on nails, especially in the morning. The pain is mainly around the heel area.
I am not missing it!

lshaw1952 Fri 10-Jan-20 16:02:15

Yeah I had that but it was a heel spur they saw it on xray and I had six bouts of ultrasound on it and hey presto it's gone

mrsmopp Fri 10-Jan-20 16:28:37

I had terrible calf cramps till someone suggested it was due to a need for potassium. The remedy is simple, eat a banana every day without fail. It really worked. No mor cramps.
But I do have sympathy for anyone suffering with PF. It must be dreadful.

endlessstrife Fri 10-Jan-20 16:43:16

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue which supports the arch of the foot. As already said, it stretches from the heal to the base of the toes. Pain is felt when this band of tissue weakens and collapses, known as “ flat foot” or dropped arches. Some people are more prone to this than others, and the only real lasting treatment is insoles, which do the job of the damaged plantar.

kwest Fri 10-Jan-20 16:49:06

I suffered from that but, touch wood it has gone now. the only things I did differently were to start taking magnesium once a day and to join the Silver Swans Ballet for over 55s. The foot exercises are different to those used in normal exercise routines and I think that is what sorted it out.

clementine Fri 10-Jan-20 16:49:31

Have had it past six months, horrendous. Eventually found a physio who did shock wave treatment. Had five sessions at weekly intervals and today for the first time in six months I was able to go for a short walk. Hopefully I will be able to build up my fitness slowly over the next month . I never realised how debilating a condition this is until I suffered from it. Nothing touches the pain .

Fennel Sat 11-Jan-20 19:38:35

Thanks, Sealover.
I once had severe pain in my left foot arch but it was due to arthritis in one of those joints.
My doctor injected it with cortisone and it settled down. But obviously different from your problem.
I always thought that plantar fasiitis meant 'flat feet' . When at school in the '50s I had to go to 'flat foot' classes at lunch time.

Sealover Sat 11-Jan-20 20:13:48

Oh my goodness, Fennel, "flat foot" classes! It wouldn't be allowed now, would it? I have found that since taking the magnesium with my evening meal that I haven't had cramp for 5 months and, mercifully no more PF. I've had 2 children and would sooner give birth any day than that pain. At least you know it's coming to an end,

Esther1 Sun 12-Jan-20 07:35:13

I had mild PF and on recommendation bought a pair of Fitflop shoes. I even slipped them on when getting out of bed to go to the loo as walking in bare feet with PF was painful. It seems to have done the trick and I have no PF at all now. It worked for me.