topic Re: Ladies, I need help! in Wellness

Ladies, I need help!

mygr8kidz2 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:26:00 GMT

Can anyone recommend some good shoes that I can wear to work while suffering from a bad case of plantar fasciitis? I have orthotics, have been doing the suggested exercises, etc. and I now have good days and bad days (that's an improvement because for a couple of months it was all bad days!). I have tried all kinds of shoes including the professional Dansko clogs but everything is a killer. Have sized up thinking that might be the problem but that hasn't made a difference either. The only shoes that are somewhat comfy are my Slogger clogs which are bright blue with dog footprints on them! My employer would be understanding about informality but those would be going over the line! All suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

sheasmom — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:52:07 GMT

I definitely understand your pain- I had plantar fasciitis that was so bad I could not walk to the bathroom in the am. I started wearing Vionics about 3 years ago and I have absolutely no pain today. The line now has a variety of styles so I think you could find something appropriate for work. Good luck.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

pattypeep — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:56:05 GMT

I have a pair of sketchers sport that I purchased to wear to the gym. I developed pf for the first time in my 69 years and boy does that hurt. I bought some gel inserts that just go in the heel of the shoe. I wore my tennis shoes every day, all day, with the gel inserts and the pf was gone within a few weeks. We have hardwood floors and I think walking on them barefoot, or with just a sock, contributed to the problem. I purchased the heel gel inserts at the drug store and it made a huge difference in healing. I had read about that somewhere and it really helped.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

RainyDayGal — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:01:45 GMT

I just went through MONTHS of pain with bursitis in my heel. OMG it was awful! I could barely walk, so I understand what you're going through. I had the special orthotics made, tried the OTC insoles and nothing worked. The most comfy shoes I could wear were my Clarks clog type shoes. But even then I could barely walk.

I finally had to go get "the shot". It took a few weeks to kick in but man what a relief to be able to actually walk without pain.

My foot doctor sells Merell and the one show that the Australian dudes on Q sell - something by Dr. Weil.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

123SuzyQ123 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:24:10 GMT

RedConvertible, what is the shot and do you ask your regular doctor for one? I also have a flare up of PF and cannot put weight on my heel. I don't think I knew of a shot we can get for it. Is it mostly just a pain shot that helps for a short time? Pardon my ignorance about it, but I am one of those who rarely have pain and rarely go to the doctor. Thanks!

Re: Ladies, I need help!

violann — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:46:14 GMT

Birkenstocks all but cured my PF, but all feet are different. Stil, I keep a pair of Birks by my bed every single night, and if I get leg cramps I WEAR THEM TO BED, and within minutes, cramps are gone.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

RainyDayGal — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:51:08 GMT

On 10/22/2014 suzieQ4me said:
RedConvertible, what is the shot and do you ask your regular doctor for one? I also have a flare up of PF and cannot put weight on my heel. I don't think I knew of a shot we can get for it. Is it mostly just a pain shot that helps for a short time? Pardon my ignorance about it, but I am one of those who rarely have pain and rarely go to the doctor. Thanks!

I think it's a steroid. They inject it directly into your foot depending on if it's the bursa or the fascia. You can discuss it with your foot doctor. My pain was bad. I got orthotics which only helped for a few weeks then it was back to pain and not being able to walk. So "the shot".

For me the shot was to help the inflammation in the bursa and to relief pain. My doctor said one shot should do the trick. I've heard somewhere that you may have to go back at some point for another one. We'll see.

You can do a search for PF and it will talk about symptoms and options to help.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

VaBelle35 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:55:03 GMT

I have high arches, so my PF flares if I wear something flat without arch support.

Crocs have been my lifesaver (I wear the thong style not the clog style, but not all thongs have arch support, so you have to look at each shoe).

I wear my Crocs for my house slippers.

Rykas and Nikes also have great arch support.

My podiatrist said anything with arch support or it has to have at least a 2" heel.

When I adhere to those rules, I have no problems.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

RainyDayGal — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 19:57:19 GMT

Here's an article telling about the shot.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

Lilysmom — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:20:11 GMT

I get a cortisone shot for bursitis in my hip. It works wonders for me. Good luck. Hope you find some relief! LM

Re: Ladies, I need help!

Kay SD — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:31:31 GMT

When I had a similar problem, I started out with Naot clogs. Eventually I transitioned to Born (but not BOC) clogs and loafers and sandals. No Birkis, no athletic shoes, nothing "bendy" would work for me. Stiffish bottoms and good metatarsal support helped most. But that's just how it worked n my case. I'm told that Alegria makes terrific shoes for sore feet, and plan to try a pair soon.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

sidsmom — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 23:37:03 GMT

Keep your foot flexed throughout the night while sleeping. That can with be with an appliance that straps around your foot...much like a walking cast...Foot Smart sells them. That 8 hrs of flexing heals & prevents the morning 'ouch' when getting out of bed.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

hckynut — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 00:07:03 GMT

Best I can do for you is what I did when suffering from this on both feet at the same time.

I too have and had custom orthotics, but my training program still caused planar fasciitis multiple times until I found out exactly what part of it was responsible for this injury.

Put in heel lifts in each shoe making sure both were the exact same height. I used surgical felt for this, which I bought at a medical supply store. Then it was ice/ice/ice and more ice. Used to take ice with me in my Igloo Cooler to work and ice my feet during my breaks and lunch time. My jog consisted of being on my feet all day and lots of walking.

Never quit running because of this, but I will admit this usually will get better if one does little that causing the bottom of the foot to flex and pull on the Plantar Fascia. Ice skating I didn't even notice anything because when skating the foot stays flat in the boot, so it did not effect my ability to still Ref our hockey games.

For exercises? I did most of the toe grabbing exercises with a towel/marbles and anything else that would fit between my toes that I could pick up off the floor. Even some Sports Certified Podiatrists will tell you that some times with PF, it seems to be when "it" gives up on you, regardless of what a person does.

While painful, it isn't as incapacitating as many seem to want others to think. Granted, some can be worse that others, but that is mostly those that completely tear the Plantar Fascia, not just have a case of it's "itis".

Best to you with this very annoying and aggravating problem.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

123SuzyQ123 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 03:42:00 GMT

On 10/22/2014 RedConvertibleGirl said:
Here's an article telling about the shot.

Thank you, RedConvertible!!

Re: Ladies, I need help!

minwife — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:56:42 GMT

I had PF so bad, I had to quit my job. Was on my feet all day & the last day, I drove home in tears because the pain was so bad. What helped me get better was getting a weekly foot massage. This might be an option for you.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

Big Sister — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:01:04 GMT

One thing that has helped me is to have a shoe with a good arch support, especially if you have a high arch.

Re: Ladies, I need help!

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:42:12 GMT

I know how you feel! I have bad ankle problems (achilles tendonitis) which necessitated me getting orthotics, which I hate because I cannot wear any of my shoes!!!! The only shoes which seem to accommodate my orthotics and feel half decent are Easy Spirit slip-on clogs. They come in quite a few colors and designs. But basically, they are simple slip ons and have removable insoles (if you need to). I have found these to be a God send. I am not especially crazy about the look of them, but at least they are comfortable and work with the orthotics. Good luck!

Re: Ladies, I need help!

violann — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 13:09:41 GMT

On 10/22/2014 Kay SD said: When I had a similar problem, I started out with Naot clogs. Eventually I transitioned to Born (but not BOC) clogs and loafers and sandals. No Birkis, no athletic shoes, nothing "bendy" would work for me. Stiffish bottoms and good metatarsal support helped most. But that's just how it worked n my case. I'm told that Alegria makes terrific shoes for sore feet, and plan to try a pair soon.

Absolutely agree! I can only wear FIRM SOLED birks- the Birks with the cushy sole are worse than useless. Unfortunately, all feet are different.