Gransnet forums

Health

Plantar Fasciitis

(120 Posts)
Foxygloves Wed 05-Apr-23 09:41:38

I know there have been threads on this and I am assuming that is my problem, burning, painful soles and heels especially first thing in the morning.
I know about not walking around barefoot or in just socks too, but has anybody had any success with local analgesics such as Voltarol applied directly to their feet?
I have bought some very soft cushion soled Hotters which are very comfortable and am living in them, but the constant pain even in bed(!) is getting me down.
Finally, does it ever go away of its own accord? 🤞🤞🤞

Overthemoongran Mon 10-Apr-23 13:24:56

Along with physio I wore a night splint. It took a bit of getting used to but certainly helped immensely . I’m glad I kept it as I then went on to have Achilles tendonitis, so the night splint came in handy again.
I totally agree about good slippers in the house, I bought a pair from Hotter, they cost a fortune but five years later they are going strong and still very supportive.

Betty18 Mon 10-Apr-23 13:22:54

Orthotics in all my shoes, always. And I still do even though I’ve been clear for a few years.
I found a foot brace that kept my foot flexed at night helped.
Never walk with bare feet, and eventually it will go. It did take me 10 months.
Now I’m a big fan of memory foam footbeds and of course the Birkenstock.

Foxygloves Mon 10-Apr-23 13:20:21

FannyCornforth

Foxy Re anti inflammatories, yes, Naproxen (prescribed for osteoarthritis) gives me some relief

Sadly can't take that any more as it has caused nasty gastric episodes in the past, but yes, it would have been useful. I think topical anti-inflammatories are safer for me.

Dizzyribs Mon 10-Apr-23 13:18:21

I've had it for years but don't find any relief with any topical pain killers, and I think I've tried the lot!
I have infinitely less pain when I wear arch support footwear or insoles in and out of the house, especially the really strong, hard ones (that was a surprise to me). On the advice of the orthopaedist and also the podiatrist, I make sure the heels of my footwear are firm, to keep my ankle in correct alignment. That helps almost as much as the arch support.
Without the foot supports I can guarantee I will have a lot of pain the next day (and often night).And, depending on how long I have been without the inserts, I can get associated knee, hip and lower back pain. Sometimes making it unbearable to walk.

Frankie51 Mon 10-Apr-23 13:17:10

My husband has this condition and got a referral to the NHS podiatrist by asking his GP to refer him. The podiatrist showed him how to strap his foot with a bandage to support the arch to relieve the pain and supplied an insole to wear in his shoe. The pain subsided really quickly . My husband continues to wear the insole and if the condition flares up again he uses ice and then straps his foot.

nandad Mon 10-Apr-23 13:13:33

Arch supports, rest, exercises and wearing high heels in the house for short periods. It takes the pressure off the heel and stretches the calf muscles.

tictacnana Mon 10-Apr-23 13:09:06

I had this in lockdown and surgery was suggested but , as I’ve had a lot of surgery to my foot , I swerved it. Special shoes were suggested but they were HORRIBLE! I gave my childhood to special shoes and leg braces - they’re not having my senior years . Anyway, I bought some Sketchers and the pain faded and has now gone. Not overly expensive and quite smart.

Mountain Mon 10-Apr-23 13:08:59

I've had this and had several steroid injections. I was advised to wear trainers in the daytime, airwave arch support. Available on Amazon. Not cheap but they do work. Shoes only for going out somewhere special.
Also ditch the slippers!

Jayzie Mon 10-Apr-23 13:07:24

Roll a laundry or tumble dryer ball under the foot. On the medical side my father used to have cortisone injections in his heel

FannyCornforth Mon 10-Apr-23 13:07:15

Foxy Re anti inflammatories, yes, Naproxen (prescribed for osteoarthritis) gives me some relief

ParlorGames Mon 10-Apr-23 13:03:00

I asked my Sports Massage Therapist who was treating me for another issue if she could help; didn't take her long to find the problem and a couple of seasons later it had gone.

Junesun Mon 10-Apr-23 13:02:10

Hello Foxygloves. I have had plantar faciitus and could just about limp home from work! Pain in heels, and in the morning I had to stretch my foot before I got up. I went to g.p. who referred me to podiatrist. She gave me insoles which she added a piece to the bottom of them . After 3 months the problem is cured. I still wear insoles all the time as I am on my feet a lot at work. You can buy the insoles from amazon , but you may need a podiatrist to see you. Good luck.

Everythingstopsfortea Mon 10-Apr-23 12:51:08

Same here…Insoles in everything works and slipping my thick soled Skechers on before I walk anywhere in the morning.. My physiotherapist told me to do some foot stretching exercises before I get out of bed but I’m afraid the loo takes priority these days. Another piece of advice was to elevate my legs on to the coffee table, when watching tv…very easily done👍..and then just do some stretches by keeping your leg straight and
flexing your foot back at the ankle towards you and then relaxing it. Do this a few times and then shift to the other foot. I still get the odd pain after I’ve worn the wrong shoe’s…but generally all is much better…Alas…I feel the days of wearing six inch high heeled winkle pickers are over👠 Good luck Foxygloves..

Foxygloves Mon 10-Apr-23 12:49:08

As it’s an inflammation I guessed that anti-inflammatories might work and found a layer of Voltarol gel under each heel before putting my socks on made a difference.

heneleri Mon 10-Apr-23 12:45:39

I began suffering with PF in January this year.
I bought arch support from Amazon which gave almost instant relief but realised that I needed a solution.
Visited a foot care clinic locally and had four sessions of shock wave treatment. Last one two weeks ago. I am virtually pain free, the relief is amazing. This along with stretching exercises, supportive trainers ( no backless shoes, eg slippers etc) and I’m on top of it at last. 😊

Nanniejude Mon 10-Apr-23 12:43:15

Google physio exercises for it, buy special insols, trainers with arch support.
If it doesn’t get better you can have steroid injections.
Mine got better just from the gel insols!

lizzypopbottle Mon 10-Apr-23 12:37:14

I wore these night and day. They are brilliant, especially for that first moment when you get out of bed and put your foot down. Not sure they'd be good if you have water retention in your lower legs though. Might be best to take advice from your GP (you'll be lucky 🤔) if that's the case. I agree with the cold can rolling too. Look on YouTube and search for plantar fasciitis. There are many therapy videos on there.

tigger Mon 10-Apr-23 12:33:29

Extremely painful condition and I could not find any medication that worked. Doctor threatened me with an operation taking tending from other foot. Went to a physio who cured me in six weeks.

Bluedaisy Mon 10-Apr-23 12:30:55

My DH, DS and myself have all had it over the past 10 years. My DH suffered for 18 months and tried lots of things you can buy off the internet plus physio from the GP all to no avail. I went to a foot health clinic in West Sussex and had an ultrasound scan and steroid injections done privately (£150 approx) well worth every penny, it was gone in a week. I recommended this way to DS who had already bought certain shoes, insoles etc which didn’t really help so he too went to the same foot clinic I recommended and had same injections but unfortunately he didn’t take enough time off work to rest his foot. It needs resting for a week in my opinion after the injection plus ice packs on it. DS got a lot of relief but drives heavy lorries and went back to work 3 days later, so consequently still suffering and could probably do with injection again and a week with his foot up to clear it up completely which I doubt he’d do!

Foxygloves Mon 10-Apr-23 12:28:53

My nephew is a chiropractor and was very helpful with suggested exercises. So between him and the Podiatrist who I was fortunately due to see anyway and who has given me orthotic arch support/heel raisers, I am a lot more comfortable already.
My Hotter LeanneII trainers give much better support than my Skechers, so I have taken advantage of their 40% off offer and bought 4 pairs in different colours blush ouch!
They should see me out!

Witzend Mon 10-Apr-23 12:28:40

Two of my BiLs with PF had very expensive arch supports specially made for them. They did work, but so did mine, which cost about £25 from Boots.
Over the years I’ve had the odd twinge now and then, so I still wear them in any shoes for walking, which includes traipsing around shops for an hour.

Shelflife Mon 10-Apr-23 12:26:32

I had it a few years ago . Bought arch supports from Scholl also a pair from Boots. Took a long time but eventually the pain went. I have worn arch supports ever since. Good luck.

Missiseff Mon 10-Apr-23 12:17:30

FITflop slippers work for me

March1 Mon 10-Apr-23 12:16:12

I had excruciating pf just before a walking holiday. Taping was a miracle for me. I got sports tape and followed the instructions on the Web how to apply.

pinkjj27 Mon 10-Apr-23 12:05:32

I suffered for two years, I was going to Zumba, dancing running, so it wasn’t down to my weight. It came on very suddenly in my right foot and was very intense then it was in both feet, it was hell.
I tried everything and I mean everything. I was on Facebook support groups; I was watching bloggers, I was seeking advice from everyone in the know. I tried exercises, exercise equipment, gels, special socks, special shoes, trainers special flipflops, barefoot, not Barefoot. I spend £100s on stuff nothing but nothing worked.
Then I spoke to this personal trainer, that I just happened to get chatting to in a coffee shop. He told me it’s an injury rather than a condition and for most people there was no quick fix apart from keeping the weight off . He said my advice is to keep as active as you can no matter how much it hurt . (others told me this was bad advice) I returned to Zumba for my mental health , I walked everywhere and just limped through the pain. I took up cycling rather than running. I was in agony, it made me so low but it’s the only thing that worked, to carry on as normal. It was about 6months but I could slowly feel my feet recovering, first in the left foot then in both feet.
I stay active, I dance, do Zumba, I walk or cycle everywhere I do run, but not as much. I avoid heels and stay healthy. So far, I have been free of PF for about 18 months.

What is clear is everyone is different and I think you have to try and find what works for you this is just my experience I am not advising anyone