I've got Plantar Fasciitis! (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Angell]

Oh crap. I was getting into a good routine and jogging and that's shot to hell. It's in my left foot. There was an article in our local paper about this. A couple weeks later there was another article about shoes. In it, the local Foot Solutions store claims that "Eight out of 10 of our customers have plantar fasciitis...and MBTs help with that." According to the paper, they start start at about $235 and go up.

 

Anyone have any experience with these shoes? Did you get them for plantar fasciitis or...? Do you like them?

 

I've done a little googling and it looks like these shoes can be had for less online. Anyone know of a reputable online store for these shoes?

 

[Ockeghem]

Johnny,

 

I've never had plantar fasciitis nor experience with these particular shoes, but many years ago, I did suffer from a pronation problem and inadequate recovery time after a marathon which eventually resulted in my getting a stress fracture (left leg, tibia). A sports medicine specialist fitted me with Tiger Excalibur GT running shoes. He also suggested I wear an orthotic for about six months. (He rightly said that the correction would be bio-mechanical, meaning that the orthotic could be disposed of once the problem was corrected.) I've run around 31,000 miles (and several marathons) in my lifetime thus far, and have had no problem with this injury since I switched to these shoes.

 

If at all possible, I would seek the advice of a sports medicine specialist. Best wishes with this.

 

[Parker Clack]

Johnny:

 

I agree with Scott in seeking out a podiatrist or sports medicine specialist and ask his/her recommendations for shoes. I know several people that have the MBTs and while they like them they are a bit overpriced to me. There are other solutions out there that are not quite as expensive.

 

Parker

 

 

[Johnny Angell]

 

Originally Posted by Ockeghem

Johnny,

 

I've never had plantar fasciitis nor experience with these particular shoes, but many years ago, I did suffer from a pronation problem and inadequate recovery time after a marathon which eventually resulted in my getting a stress fracture (left leg, tibia). A sports medicine specialist fitted me with Tiger Excalibur GT running shoes. He also suggested I wear an orthotic for about six months. (He rightly said that the correction would be bio-mechanical, meaning that the orthotic could be disposed of once the problem was corrected.) I've run around 31,000 miles (and several marathons) in my lifetime thus far, and have had no problem with this injury since I switched to these shoes.

 

If at all possible, I would seek the advice of a sports medicine specialist. Best wishes with this.

Well, a google reveals that the Tiger Excalilbur GT is a thing of the past. I only found references to it being a favorite shoe, but didn't find it for sale. In any case, I'm going to walk and not run for a while.

 

My doctor said the worst thing I could do was get an injection for it. It would increase the chances of a burst plantar fascia to at least 50-50. He said that's what the current literature states and despite that, the injection would be an early recommendation by a foot specialist. He also told me that insurance would not cover orthotics at all. That doesn't seem right, guess I'll have to call my insurance company and verify.

 

I've got the problem of being 64, and as the exercise sheet my doctor gave reads: "As a person gets older, the plantar fascia becomes less like a rubber and and more like a rope that doesn't stretch very well. The fat pad on the heel becomes thinner and can't absorb as much of a shock."

 

I'm going to look into the sports specialist thing. Any further recommendations on shoes would be appreciated.
 

 

[RickER]

I have had problems with this. Work in the medical field, on my feet all day on hard floors. Since i started wearing walking shoes with a nice arch support...no problems. Oh, and i didnt spend a ton of money on "special" shoes.

Might try some inserts. Cheap ones from a drug store. Dont get conned. We have a shoe store here in town that will try to sell you $500 custom shoes. You wont need them.

I tell yea, it only took 1 day to feel better, after i got new shoes.

 

[Al.Anderson]

I've had plantar fasciitis in the past and struggled with it until I went to see a podiatrist. He was good and gave this advice: (1) stop ALL activity for 4-6 weeks. (No "light" running or walking. Just stop.) (2) Change out all your shoes. In many situations it's a case of one pair of shoes that's worn out or just not right for you. If you have a comfy pair that you've been holding on to, start by getting rid of those.

 

[Ockeghem]

[SIZE= 14px]Johnny,[/SIZE]

[SIZE= 14px] [/SIZE]

[SIZE= 14px]Oh, I wasn’t suggesting the Excalibur GT shoe for you – I knew it had been discontinued several years ago. I was just sharing my experience with you, and thought you might like to know what eventually worked for me. This shoe and the orthotic were specific to my stress fracture and pronation (actually, supponation) problem. When that particular running shoe was about to be discontinued, I bought several pair to last me quite a few years. After those ran out, I bought something (again upon the advice of specialists) comparable to the Tiger GT. In my own experience, I have remained with Asics Tiger products for nearly thirty years.[/SIZE]

[SIZE= 14px] [/SIZE]

[SIZE= 14px]I do hope you see a sports medicine specialist, however. Their field is specialized, and they have dealt with these kinds of ailments and their treatment. I certainly can't give any useful opinion about whether to receive or avoid a shot, either. I do think that your choice to walk instead of run is wise for now, however. [/SIZE]

 

[ezrida]

 

 

[SIZE= 18px][COLOR= rgb(51, 51, 51)]Hi[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[COLOR= rgb(51, 51, 51)]Maybe you will get many answers from people who want you to buy their favorite kind of shoes but believe me good shoes for one individual are bad for the other. I have plantar fasciitis and I have been through a long journey looking for a good shoe. A good shoe for one is not good for the other. An expensive shoe is not necessarily good for heel pain. [/COLOR]

[COLOR= rgb(51, 51, 51)]You should find your kind of shoe, one that feels comfortable and give you support. It depends on many factors such as wide or narrow foot, high or low arch, your favorite kind of sport etc. You should try to use good cushioning shoe which has motion control and is not flexible in the middle. There is a good website that I use to take a look at from time to time. Many good ideas that I took from there - [/COLOR]

http://plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com/plantar_fasciitis_shoes.html

[COLOR= rgb(51, 51, 51)]Take care & Good luck[/COLOR]

 

[Al.Anderson]

I forgot, the podiatrist also gave me some stretching exercises to do. I think there were a number of them, but the one I settled in on is this - in the morning and evening, and before and after you exercise (AFTER the 4-6 week layoff) sit on the ground and pull your toe back toward your body for 30 seconds. Do it three times, alternating feet. Also, after exercise, cool down the foot with an ice pack. Rolling it over a cold can or water bottle works well.

 

[MalteseChicken]

I agree with ezrider which is also why Scott, and Parker Clack's advice are good - everyone's feet are different and you will need a specialist to take all things about your body, your stride, pronation etc.

 

My wife had plantar fasciitis 2 years ago - we believe she got it because of a crap pair of shoes.

She went to talk with a specialist at a running store - he gave her a motion control brooks shoe to help with the problem.
It was working, however, it messed with her pronation, not allowing her arch to collapse the way it normally would while runing which then caused terrible pain in her lower legs (I've had this too from purchasing shoes designed to help over pronation while my feet tend to under pronate).
She had to stop running in the shoes because the pain became so bad

She then used those shoes to walk everywhere - including in the house so in her day to day activities, she had the support she needed to help heal the fasciitis.
She ran then on a pair of full cushion shoes. Gradually, over a 6 month period, her symptoms completely disappeared.
 

I don't believe there is one cure all for it - i think you need to find what will work for you and the best way to do that is with the help of an expert.

 

[Jeff Brooks]

I have had it in both feet. I even developed knee problems, because of the foot imbalance.

First, see a Podiatrist. I never dreamed I would need to go to a specialist; but, this is imperative. You would be amazed at how much we expect out of our feet!

They will most likely recommend inserts, like Superfeet, which are not cheap, but work great. Sometimes, that is all you will need. I would not recommend special shoes, because of the cost. The inserts replace the insides of your current footwear. I buy mine now at Amazon, because they are much cheaper than at the shoe stores.

I ultimately had to have surgery for ligament and toe problems in both feet; but, I still wear the inserts. I am much better, now.

 

[Bob Graz]

I had a bad case years ago. I stood on a stair with my heel hanging over and lifted my body weight with my toes and front of my feet. Did this 30 or 40x 2 or 3 times a day. Cleared it up and never had a problem since. Oh, I should add that I was wearing deck(boat) shoes a lot at the time. I also started buying better quality shoes while doing the foot exercises.

 

[Johnny Angell]

Originally Posted by Bob Graz

I had a bad case years ago. I stood on a stair with my heel hanging over and lifted my body weight with my toes and front of my feet. Did this 30 or 40x 2 or 3 times a day. Cleared it up and never had a problem since. Oh, I should add that I was wearing deck(boat) shoes a lot at the time. I also started buying better quality shoes while doing the foot exercises.

With this exercise are you barefooted or wearing shoes? I wonder if it makes a difference?

 

One theme here is better shoes. I've been looking online and I'm thinking the Brooks Beast is an option for me.

 

[Bob Graz]

Bare footed. I do think wearing the flat deck shoes too much contributed to my problem. I went back to good quality tie shoes that had good arch support and some cushion in the heel. I still do exercises to keep stretching that tendon in the foot a couple times a week, but have never had any pain since my original problem. It was a long time ago, but I'd guess it took 4-6 months or so to clear itself up. In the meantime it hurt like hell to walk.

 

[MalteseChicken]

Online research is good, but it can't beat an in person consultation with a podiatrist, or at least with an in person consultation with a trained sales person at a shoe store.
My online research found me a pretty good match in the Asics Cumulus 11 which did my okay until I wore them out. When I went to replace them the Cumulus 12 fit me too snug. The sales person looked at my feet and recommend a Saucony Triumph - this shoe is an incredible fit that feels like it was designed for my foot. The sales person knew her products well, and knew which shoes would fit my foot shape best. So find a retailer that sells the Brooks - tell them why you want it, and then ask them to check out your feet and your gate to see if it is the best recommendation for you.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

The incessant radio and TV commercials around me would tell you to get high-end in-soles from the Goodfeet Store. My mother has plantar fasciitis, however, and the basic Dr. Scholls inserts from Walmart/Costco/etc. work great for her.

 

[Johnny Angell]

Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt

The incessant radio and TV commercials around me would tell you to get high-end in-soles from the Goodfeet Store. My mother has plantar fasciitis, however, and the basic Dr. Scholls inserts from Walmart/Costco/etc. work great for her.

Even Dr. Schools is going high end. They've got these machines in the stores that you stand on barefooted and it tells which insole to get. They cost either $40 of $50. I forget.

 

[TonyD]

I'm 46 now,have had a problem wihthe right ft for about 17 years. 10 years ago I had a surgery that cut the tendon to alleviate the pain. It didn't work.
I've done all the stretching and countless different shoes and inserts.
Had expensive orthotics made, they didn't work.
This past January had a newer procedure might be called Topaz.
This one uses a series of needle pricks into the plantar tendon to make dozens of tiny holes, theory is this forces the tendon to heal itself almost as new. Thus alleviating the tension and pain.
Research showed a very high rate of success with this.

Up until the last 2
Months or so I felt very good but now the pain has returned so back to the doc again next month.

 

[Johnny Angell]

What has been your level of activity during all those years. Were you a jogger? Did laying off of activities on the foot help at all? Jeez, you'd had it for 17 years, that sucks.