Plantar Fasciitis: How did you get rid of it?

I’m a Vionic convert too. I don’t wear their walking shoes though.

I am so sad. A Dr. talked me into surgery for plantar fascilitis and he shortened my bone too much! No coming back from that. Should have done physical therapy. That was after a bad bunion surgery! I'm alone and don't make good decisions. Has anyone made a mistake like me? Ruined my right foot. Maria.

I've had pf. I found a hand held, manual foot massager at the drug store. Four prongs of varying sizes. I massaged the area as often as needed and depending on where and how deep the pain, I selected the prong that massaged the painful area the best. This was hit and miss at first but I soon found the right combination. I found other methods of massage not helpful such as rolling foot on frozen water bottle, soup cans, etc. I also have made-to-measure insoles which are extremely helpful with general foot and ankle pain. In addition wearing a rocker shoe may help with both pf and OA. Sometimes less is more.

In addition to OA(painful 24 hrs per) I also have chronic lymphedema (its a challenge to avoid infections (spent 3 weeks in hospital fighting an infection I didn't know I had); fibro and A-fib. Of these, lymphedema, for me, is the scariest and most life changing; OA which I have had for many, many years is progressing in areas of the body and intensity of discomfort/pain. In the past it would come and go, now it is constant and limits daily activities.

The fibro took two years to diagnose. It was at the time when fibro was not recognized such as was migraines at one time! Thank heavens for science and researchers!! I tried acupuncture but results were short lived as was cortisone injections for OA in knee. The first injection gave such relief I thought I was in heaven - but no, hell came back in three weeks' time. The second injection resulted in no help at all.

Part of my ligament tore from the heel and took a piece of bone with it. The surgeon I saw said surgery would not fix it. I had to be very patient and let it heal on its own. It's been 5 months now and still flares up if I'm not careful. Has anyone out there been through this? How long does it take to heal?

Hi, rhhprints67 here---my experience a little different but may apply. I had a ruptured tendon on right side of left foot and had it reconnected. Took 2 years to be pain free. I needed orthotics after that and finding shoes that both gave enough support and would take the orthotics is tough.

rickdemaria, WHEW! My heart goest out. PF is painful. I tried everything for mine. Injections directly into the heel (I do not reommend as it can cause more damage). Oral steroids for a month.....after I finished the course, PF came right back.

I also don't recommend the injections into the sides of the heel where they go in to the exact site and inject you. Personally, it didn't last long at all.

Here's what helped the most:

1) Not wearing flip flops and wearing a good support shoe with an orthotic made by podiatrist.
2) Doing the foot stretches for PF. You can find these on Youtube.
3) Freezing a bottle of water then rolling your foot over it for a few minutes.
4) Volatern gel onto the bottom to the heel of the foot.
5) Epsom salt foot baths.
6) Lose any extra weight as extra pounds are hard on the feet.

Strangely, when I get my knees injected with cortistone for arthritis, it's systemic and stops my PF when I am in a flare.

I wish you the best. The last flare lasted over a year. Praying for relief for you.

To help prevent flares I always support arches of my feet, including getting up in the middle of the night. I use orthotics in tie shoes most days. I use SAS sandals as slippers because they have arch support. I never go barefoot. Secondly but importantly educate yourself about trigger points. I release trigger points in my calves with a small Bob and Brad massage gun when I have a flare. Usually that relieves most or all of the pain. The website "Triggerpoints.net" can be helpful.

That attention to the calfs must be what my acupuncturist did to help my PF flare once. I was at an appointment for acupuncture for unrelated issue to my foot and back pain, but since I was in such pain, he did touch therapy and within minutes the pain in my foot was almost completely gone. It was miraculous.

I do pretty well maintaining with good supportive shoes, but if I over exert my feet too much, I’ll get a flare. Daily exercise is fine and well tolerated. Standing for long periods….like 8 hours is not tolerated.

Go to a New Balance store and tell them what the issue is. The shoes took care of it.

Yeah, that's similar. I think I was hoping for faster healing. I know it takes longer as we age. I'll be 63 next week. I recently purchased some new shoes from Sketchers and I've noticed a great improvement with the discomfort. This is a different subject, but I remember it took 2 years to be able to squat after knee surgery. Thanks, and have a great day!