Plantar fasciitis

[edporch]

I've been having some pain in my feet lately and all signs point to PF.

I'm hoping most of it can be treated with better shoes along with icing and pain relievers. But given that I have abnormal feet, I am banking on the need or arch support. Any recommendations? Is The Good Feet store just heavily marketed or really as good as they claim? What are the prices? How does that compare to a podiatrist or some other professional that can provide the service?

Oh, one more question, what brand of shoe is good for foot support? And does it make shoes in extra wide width?

One thing that I never hear talked about is that PF can be a symptom of undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

I had PF for a time leading up to my being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the beginning of 2001.

As soon as I began to be treated, it faded and went away in some weeks, and I've NEVER had PF again since.

Get your thyroid checked, and DEMAND a copy of your test results.

Look at your TSH level, and if it's higher than 1.0 - 2.0, don't accept your doctor telling you that you're "normal".

The "normal" range that goes up to 5.5 or higher ISN'T normal.

Find a GOOD endocrinologist who will treat you properly.

 

[88GT]

One thing that I never hear talked about is that PF can be a symptom of undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

I had PF for a time leading up to my being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the beginning of 2001.

As soon as I began to be treated, it faded and went away in some weeks, and I've NEVER had PF again since.

Get your thyroid checked, and DEMAND a copy of your test results.

Look at your TSH level, and if it's higher than 1.0 - 2.0, don't accept your doctor telling you that you're "normal".

The "normal" range that goes up to 5.5 or higher ISN'T normal.

Find a GOOD endocrinologist who will treat you properly.

I am most definitely hypothyroid. Had the thyroid removed in '08 for cancer. I'm on the synthetic hormone, daily regimen. I don't remember my TSH numbers from last blood draw (we draw regularly to make sure the dosage is maintaining proper levels), but if the next one is off, I'll mention it.

 

[indytechnerd]

I went through some nasty PF from '07-'10, to the point that I went to a podiatrist and had custom orthotics made. I wore them for nearly 2 years before the pain started going away. As I gradually stopped wearing them, I started wearing stiffer soled shoes instead of the ultra cushion-y running shoes. Now, I wear Merrel hiking shoes nearly all the time, and I have summer and winter versions with the same sole. Occasionally, I'll stretch my Achilles tendon, the back of the bathtub works great for that, but I have no pain at all.

 

[GlockRock]

I have PF in both feet. I got it about a year ago in a foot pursuit with a suicidal person. My work boots had pretty much no support. I went to the doctor and he gave me the anti inflammation stuff that didn't work and made my stomach upset. I got Dr Scholls inserts at Walmart and some New Balance shoes. I'm pretty much over it now, but when it flares up I take a frozen water bottle and roll my feet on it. Helps tremendously. Good luck!

 

[edporch]

Quote:
Originally Posted by edporch
One thing that I never hear talked about is that PF can be a symptom of undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

I had PF for a time leading up to my being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the beginning of 2001.

As soon as I began to be treated, it faded and went away in some weeks, and I've NEVER had PF again since.

Get your thyroid checked, and DEMAND a copy of your test results.

Look at your TSH level, and if it's higher than 1.0 - 2.0, don't accept your doctor telling you that you're "normal".

The "normal" range that goes up to 5.5 or higher ISN'T normal.

Find a GOOD endocrinologist who will treat you properly.

I am most definitely hypothyroid. Had the thyroid removed in '08 for cancer. I'm on the synthetic hormone, daily regimen. I don't remember my TSH numbers from last blood draw (we draw regularly to make sure the dosage is maintaining proper levels), but if the next one is off, I'll mention it.

It's common for hypothyroid people to NOT be given enough hormone by their doctor.
In fact, many I meet are still somewhat hypothyroid, and their doctor has some nutty idea about just giving them enough to get them within the so-called "normal" range of a TSH of less than 5.5.

My endocrinologist, who up until a few years ago was a Professor of Endocrinology at IU Medical School told me that a person with a normal functioning thyroid will typically be in the TSH of 1.0 ballpark.
He also told me that in his experience, when somebody's TSH is above 2.0, he can usually find signs of hypothyroidism already beginning.

I personally don't do well unless my TSH is less than 1.0.

So before you do anything, INSIST on getting your last test results from your doctor.
NEVER just accept that you're "normal" without seeing the actual numbers.

I had PF until my thyroid was treated properly, and have never had it since.

Additionally, which brand of thyroid hormone you take DOES make a difference.
My endo told me that your blood levels will vary depending on which brand you take.

In my case, I do best on GENUINE Synthroid (T4) and i also take Cytomel (T3) twice a day (because it has a short blood level half-life) to help with "brain fog".

I've always taken a pro-active "trust but verify" approach and it's worked best for me.

 

[nsolimini]

I like New Balance shoes for support, but, for some treatment, cant believe no one had said this yet. Take an old like 20oz coke or water bottle and fill it up almost to the top, freeze it, then put it on the ground once frozen and run the bottom of your foot over it.



EDIT*
Went to google to find a video to better explain [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0oYIZsmPmc[/ame]

 

[forgop]

Dealt with PF that was so painful I couldn't even walk without it feeling as though someone had taken 16 penny nails and driven them into the heels of both feet.

First podiatrist I saw made hard custom inserts and gave me a cortisone shot. Big mistake as he evidently didn't even do it right and the pain was even worse after the shot.

Went through physical therapy to include ultrasound, heat, ice, tennis ball rolling, anti-inflammatory meds, you name it. The next step was seeing Dr. Porter at his Greenwood office who gave me a different set of gel inserts (they were clear with a blue dot, kind of like a gel type feeling to it). He said the hard custom inserts were doing more harm than good. He also gave me the first cortisone shot that worked. It's very painful, but the only thing that allowed me to be able to walk like a normal human. I ended up getting a 2nd one from him several months down the road, but PF plagued me for a good part of 2 years.

That cortisone shot is so painful you'll want to punch a hole in the wall while you're laying on the table, but all worth it in the end.

 

[Simon6101]

Been there done that

When I had PF I found that taking a 20oz Coke bottle, filling it with water and then freezing it helped greatly. I would sit and watch Tv while rolling it back and forth under my foot. I also would stand on the edge of a stair with my toes and push down with my heels to stretch the calf muscle as much as possible. This two items and anti-inflammatories did wonders.

 

[4sarge]

Back when I had to be on my feet all the time I relied on Ecco shoes. They have great sizes and good support. I went to a podiatrist more than a few years ago and he made inserts for me. Wore them for awhile till the pain went away (not PF) and they were worth it. My insurance covered them, so YMMV. Ecco's used to be available at the big shoe store at Fashion Mall. They have nice dress ones, as well as casual. No sneakers, tho.

Not sure if I had PF but terrible foot pain if on my feet all day so my podiatrist also cast for some inserts which worked Miracles for my feet. My foot was so bad that I actually had to have an operation which led to the inserts being prescribed. Now, the surprising part was that my insurance did not cover them and he (the podiatrist) said Not to worry about it, he'd cover them for me and he did. I only wear GOOD shoes with support for any length of time. Hand sewn Rocky's, Rock Ports, Stacey Adams, etc.

 

[88GT]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions.

 

[Hornett]

My wife struggled with PT for a couple of years with it getting some better then flaring up again
At the suggestion of her doctor she went to a physical therapist.
They did some stretches and massage therapy that really helped in just a few weeks.
It was even covered under our insurance after some minor hoop jumping and red tape.

 

[92ThoStro]

Please forgive me, I did not even read 1 other reply to your question, just giving my answer first.

I have severe flat feet (EDIT: for some reason I thought PF was flatfoot, oh how wrong I am, oh well, still you should see a specialist and get some custom orthotics). I figured it out, because after mild running I would shin splints, and my feet would ache. I tried the OTC products like arch supports and wraps, and soaking my feet. These things don't work all that great. Treating the symptoms ( pain ) does not help, as it will always come back. Arch supports are identical, your feet are not. You have to have a unique set of arch supports for the right, and the left foot. My right foot is far worse than my left. You can tell in an x-ray which your podiatrist will do. My x-ray showed severe bone abnormalities, the bones were all out of whack, it looks like an alien LOL. Outside my feet look normal, it's just the x-rays that look freaky.

What you need to do depends on if you have insurance or not.

If you have insurance then you need to get a referral from your PCP to see a Podiatrist. Your podiatrist will tell you how bad it is basically. He will take x-rays, give you tips on how to cope, and all that. You will then be sent to an orthotics specialist. Your podiatrist will explain, and if he doesn't ASK him to explain. There are two different ways for the orthotics specialist to perform his duties. One way is to take readings of your movement, and do a whole bunch of different exercises, and measurements. This is the best way.
The other way, is for him to simply have you stand on a machine that sends little spikes up to form to your feet. This way is alright, but the 1st way is far more accurate. I was sadly only allowed to see the second type of specialist.

Your insurance company may or may not cover the above orthotics, if they don't cover the orthotics from the specialist, you can get on a payment plan with your podiatrist and he will use method #1. They make the orthotics depending on your lifestyle and how bad your feet are. Mine are made from cork and are quite large, they cover the entire shoe, replacing the insole. They ran a bill of 525, so I am glad I had insurance that covered it. They also are unique, so they are not some universal support identical for each foot.

I have never since wearing them, had a problem with my feet aching, or had shin splints.

As far as shoes go, you will need to first select your shoes based on if they will accept your custom orthotics. I noticed that I sometimes need to order a "wide" instead of "R" when I buy shoes. Other shoes are fine, so bring your orthotics and try them on with the new shoes.

I thought about what is the BEST shoe to wear with flat feet. I figured that the US military is on their feet all the time. I ordered a pair of very light desert deployment boots, 8 inch ones. They are very comfortable. Nike shox were also pretty comfortable. Don't buy from your local prep stores or mil surplus stores, either get them from a military commissary or order them on Amazon, amazon prices were 30 dollars cheaper than the Army/Navy surplus store in Indy.

 

[spencer rifle]

The better half says Birkenstocks are great, and go with a podiatrist-prescribed insert for your other shoes.

 

[223 Gunner]

The better half says Birkenstocks are great, and go with a podiatrist-prescribed insert for your other shoes.

Yes, I wear Birkes around the house. With PF you cannot go around bare foot, I bought mine at the walking company in the greenwood mall.
I bought the kind with no back, so that I can easily slide in and out of them, and I keep them bedside.

 

[Frosty]

I had problems with PF when I was in the carpentry trade, lots of concrete and rough ground, I could barely walk after the drive home! Best thing I found for it short of a doctor were rocky work boots, they are so very comfy! It doesn't bother me now since I'm driving a truck for most hours of the day, but I still wear Rockies, and I have a pair of their cowboy boots, I highly recommend them.

 

[Regnar]

Dr Sholls inserts
Look online for stretches
DO NOT walk around barefoot at home. Crocs may seem sissy to some, but they feel damn good on my barking dogs.

 

[Prometheus]

I'm a huge fan of the Asics Gel Nimbus series of shoes.

For extra arch help, the Dr Schols customized inserts can help a lot. The machines are next to worthless in most places so you'll just have to do trial and error till you find the right one.

 

[amboran]

Wife and I both suffered from PF at different times.One cure I have not heard here is sleeping position.My internet searches found the suggestion that sleeping on your stomach would aggravate or even cause PF by unnaturally stretching feet in the wrong direction. Ever since I have learned to sleep on my side(with feet in a more natural position)-the problem has never returned. I had suffered off and on for years before this! Nike Air shoes also helps,too.