Plantar fascitus

As well as doing all the recommended exercises, not going barefoot and always wearing shoes which had lots of cushioning plus putting insoles into trainer type shoes the best relief I found was by wearing FitFlop shoes and sandals. FitFlop, not flip flops. They are not cheap but worth every penny.

I was shopping today and saw the man that used to clean our local beach. It seems he had to give up because he also has this. He has had several pairs of shoes made, and said he wears a different pair each day, and it helps a little.

Hi, ice packs in the morning for 15 minutes. Definitely shoes with arch support (eg Skechers arch fit) or orthotic insoles from a podiatrist that fit your foot shape. Also, kinesiology tape. Lastly, a good massage!!

I had this last year and was recommended to do exercises recommended by the NHS which I can't seem to link to, but they are easily found online. I wear orthotics and trainers anyway.

One day I realised it had vanished as swiftly as it arrived and just didn't hurt any more.

I’m pleased to report that the new trainer-type shoes I acquired this week (Rieker Sneaker) have brought about a miraculous improvement in my feet! I wore them home from the shop, like a 5yo child might without pain. I am so, so happy about this.

The Heelease gadget has come but I have not yet used it because of the improvement. I’m going to keep it, though, in case this is only be a temporary respite.

Mine improved with the support socks detailed above along with doing stretches several times daily. I now always wear supportive lace up shoes with thick soles and wear them indoors as well.
My podiatrist recommended this@
www.amazon.co.uk/PHYSIOWORX-Adjustable-Stretch-Hamstring-Fasciitis/dp/B01BOYWI5U/ref=asc_df_B01BOYWI5U/?hvlocphy=9044979&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=218078614963&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-357436077030&hvrand=7984077170706832743
It makes the stretches easier.
If I don't wear the sensible shoes all the time indoors and stretch daily, the plantar fascitis returns.

SueDonim

Shysal I clicked on your link to Heelease and having read the site throughly, have ordered one. I’ll try to remember to report back! When I was trying to get comfy shoes yesterday I found I could order a pair of socks for PF for £25 so the Heelease doesn’t seem too badly priced in comparison!

I hope you get on with the Heelease, SueDonim. I found crossing the strap at the ankle kept it in the best position. There is an option to avoid VAT by simply stating that you have PF as well as the money back guarantee, so there is nothing to lose.

Shysal I clicked on your link to Heelease and having read the site throughly, have ordered one. I’ll try to remember to report back! When I was trying to get comfy shoes yesterday I found I could order a pair of socks for PF for £25 so the Heelease doesn’t seem too badly priced in comparison!

I am sure this is what I have. My doctor referred me to a NHS podiatrist. I saw him yesterday. He said he couldn't find anything wrong with my feet! He did find that my hamstrings were slightly tight and when I walk I tend to hit the surface quite hard and it could be my age as well. His advice was not to wear shoes or sandals but to get a pair of running trainers with a cushioned foam insole. Flat shoes were a 'no no'. He also told me to do foot exercises.

Last night I couldn't get to sleep because of the pain. Also I have pain in my knee and the leg on one side from the groin downwards.

I have tried taking Ibuprofen and paracetamol, and using ibuprofen gel but none of these seem to help. I phoned the doctors today to get a telephone appointment to ask if I can have some stronger pain relief for the short term.

I agree with SueDonim and with Maw ‘s advice.
Mine lasted a few months. I went to the GP and followed all the advice. I still wear proper supportive shoes with insoles.

A couple of years later I saw the same GP for some other reason and she told me she had had PF and the advice she had given to patients worked for her, but she had no idea it was so painful!

I have PF at the moment and have had for some months. It’s been excruciatingly painful, even waking me at night sometimes. As well as the tips here, try gently stretching your feet before getting out of bed. Either sit with your legs straight out in front, lean over and pull your toes towards you a few times. Or sit with one ankle propped up over the opposite knee and gently pull the big toe towards you a few times. Repeat with the other foot.

1 session of acupuncture and mine was cured.

A similar thread is running - ‘Foot arthritis’ - check that out for more advice and suggestions…

MawtheMerrier

I do think you should see a GP to confirm this is indeed Plantar Fasciitis
If it is, I’m not sure any cream can treat it . However, if it is just cracked skin that may help. Best to get a diagnosis though. You can usually help plantar fasciitis with things like rest, ice packs and comfortable shoes. A foot specialist can help if it does not get better.
If you see a GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
Do:
rest and raise your foot on a stool when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
regular gentle stretching exercises
exercises that do not put pressure on your feet, such as swimming
take paracetamol
Don't:
do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
do not wear flip-flops or backless slippers
try not to walk barefoot on hard surfaces

I have had plantar fasciitis and agree with all of Mawthemerriers's 'do's. I did them all and the pain eased after a couple of months.

I also bought some toeless socks which are specifically for PF - you can find lots of them on Amazon - see link below. I used to wear them in bed at night. I also avoided walking around the house barefoot, especially on hard or cold surfaces.

www.amazon.co.uk/Plantar-Fasciitis-Compression-Achilles-Supports/dp/B07B7NWBXB/ref=asc_df_B07B7NWBXB/?hvlocphy=1007423&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309924740778&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=gransnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-564324105345&hvrand=8110463852387061200

I understand that Voltarol contains a component that should not be combined with some medication. Definitely worth checking first.

It is so painful.
I used Voltarol when I got it on holiday a few years ago and that helped at the time.
It felt exactly as you describe - as if the skin is breaking apart - at the start of each day and then got easier as the day went on, so I tried to keep moving gently through out the day and wore my very supportive walking boots.
Still have times when it comes back sadly, so always wear supportive shoes now.
I think a Gp might be a good idea as they can point you in the direction of physio if you are still in pain after a couple of weeks.
Hope it's better soon.

I've had this and it is terribly painful , I find placing a tennis ball on the floor and rolling the foot back and forward on the ball stretches the muscle and relieves the pain .

I had it and it eventually went away without any treatment or special exercise. I find that I can no longer wear completely flat shoes. I loved ballet flats but I need a slightly elevated heel now for support, such as in boots, trainers or a very low wedge.

I do think you should see a GP to confirm this is indeed Plantar Fasciitis
If it is, I’m not sure any cream can treat it . However, if it is just cracked skin that may help. Best to get a diagnosis though. You can usually help plantar fasciitis with things like rest, ice packs and comfortable shoes. A foot specialist can help if it does not get better.
If you see a GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
Do:
rest and raise your foot on a stool when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
regular gentle stretching exercises
exercises that do not put pressure on your feet, such as swimming
take paracetamol
Don't:
do not take ibuprofen for the first 48 hours
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
do not wear flip-flops or backless slippers
try not to walk barefoot on hard surfaces

Try rolling your feet on a bottles of frozen water first thing in the morning and keep doing the stretching exercises. I found some improvement using a heelease.co.uk/ but I was already on the mend, so it may have been coincidence. They give a money back guarantee so you might want to give one a try. Also thank goodness for Skecher shoes!
Good luck, I hope you get relief soon.

So sorry Franbern,I've just looked it up, hope it heals soon.

When I spoke to the doctor about the very sore broken vein in my leg, she recommended I use Ibuprofen gel. I got it from Boots. Here's a link with information about it, perhaps check with the doctor you can use it alongside other medication?

patient.info/medicine/ibuprofen-gel-for-pain-relief

I've been recommended a book called The Foot Fix by Yamuna Zake. It explains how to look after your feet in a holistic way and dealing with conditions like Plantar fasciitis.

I've ordered it and am waiting for it to arrive so I can't say personally if it's any good but the reviews were very positive.

My friend had this and she found it helped to have supporting cushioning shoes such as expensive trainers. The dr told her to rest but she carried on walking despite the pain which I’m not sure was the right thing to do.