Help with Managing Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)?? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Help with Managing Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)??

455
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 11:53

My mother is suffering from Plantar fasciitis (heel pains) with the common symptom of severe heel pain when she puts her foot down first thing in the morning. Earlier not knowing what was causing, a visit to the doctor and the x-ray confirmed it; a small bony growth. He has recommended to use voltarin gel, lose weight, dipping heel alternately in hot and cold water (she is not doing this now as it worsened the pain in the morning) and using ortho shoes specific for this condition. She is also doing the heel stretching exercise standing in front of a wall. About one and a half months have passed already doing a combo of these. She's been a very active lady so we have to tell her mama please we are here to do all the work but you know its difficult for her to just sit around!!! But she tries to avoid now.

I would like to know from the EW who are going through the same situation how else are you managing with the treatment. How long did the treatment last?

We are also looking for the ortho shoes. Any recommendations where can i get them? and what specifically do I have to buy coz the doctor dint elaborate on it.

will really be grateful for any input. Thank you

135
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 July 2012 - 14:55
Hey there, I've had this ever since I fell pregnant with my first child almost four years ago. I put it down to sudden weight gain as I used to be skinny before and so my feet couldn't handle all the baby weight. Unfortunately even after I lost most of the weight the pain persisted and the only things that help me are the stretching exercises and not standing on my feet for longer periods. Cooking and all other things that I normally do while standing, I now do them sitting. Walking is bearable nowadays with proper shoes. And never ever walk barefoot. I hope your mom feels better soon.
180
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 23:11
Ooh, this is so painful! I went to Dubai Podiatry Centre on SZR a few years ago when I had it. I was told that it would take a long time to heal, basically twice as long as I had had it for! From what I remember, I was advised to only wear shoes that had heel support, as in a shoe that is strapped to your foot, that has a slight heel elevation, ( like trainers) NO flip flops etc. They can make inserts for your shoes, but I did not. I bought silicone gel heel supports - sold in pharmacies which really helped the pain a lot. I could not walk without them. I recently looked for some for my father in law and many people in the pharmacy did not know what I was talking about. They thought they were the gel dots that Scholl sell for party feet, but it is not that. It looks almost like a heel cup that would sit slightly up the back of the heel and extend tho the end of the heel, beginning of the arch of foot. I found them at Super care pharmacy in Oasis centre in the end, the big Life Pharmacy on Al Wasl Rd may be a good place to try. I also recently saw them at Daiso in Oasis Centre. Take anti inflammatories like Voltaren, rub Voltaren gel into your foor, do foot exercises/stretches at least 2x a day. Grip your big toe and pull it backwards to feel the stretch. Also get a small firm rubber ball and roll it under the arch of your foot. http://www.dubaipodiatry.com/shop/about-
36
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 20:43
I also have planter fascitis so I feel your pain! I have had this for 12 months now. I have tried, stretches, taping, physio,accupuncture, custom made innersteps, icing and ultrasound and I wear a night splint. I had a cortisone injection about 6 weeks ago and I was pain free but the last week the pain has returned. I am still using the night splint, icing stretching and Physio. Not sure wht else I can do now. Good Luck! Let me know if you find a miracle cure that I have not already tried.
1042
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 19:24
Never wear high heels is the foremost thing, consider trying some barefoot shoes to try and strengthen the feet but don't wear them all the time as you will need support in the meantime until the muscles have developed (a podiatrist should be able to prescribe some supportive orthotics). Next calf stretch every day, without fail. A good way is to get a 1/2 round foam roller (semi-circular) and put it against the wall. Facing the wall put your foot on the roller so it's at an angle and lean into the wall to stretch the calves. Also use a full round roller to massage the calves (rolling along the calves). (I normally put the half roller right up against the wall for the stretch) You can also stretch the calves off a step but take care not to bounce as it is very easy to injure yourself this way. Otherwise you can massage the actual plantar using a tennis ball, a TP massage ball or if really brave a cricket/lacrosse ball. http://www.livestrong.com/article/547480-how-to-stretch-your-calf-with-adhesions/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/388241-plantar-fascittis-exercises/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/438209-rehabilitation-for-plantar-fasciitis/ Lastly if you don't mind spending a bit of money or insurance will cover it, the best thing you can do is get a proper sports massage on the calves and plantars to try and release them. Up and Running has proper rehabbers, also they will also be able to show you how to stretch and foam roll properly. <em>edited by RuthM on 07/07/2012</em>
152
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:59
I had this, went to a podiatrist and did all he told me but it didn't go away - this was in the UK. The thing that worked for me, and my sister, was not to go round in bear feet inside. I got myself the 'squidgyist' pair of shoes I could find which happened to be a pair of really cheap Croc look-a-likes and wore those - but never outside!!! Within a week the pain had gone and has never come back although I now always wear 'squidgy' shoes/flip-flops inside as these marble floors kill my feet. <em>edited by Lally on 07/07/2012</em>
422
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:43
The shop is actually called Feetlab. Below is there website and they mention Plantar Fasciitis. http://www.feetlab.com <em>edited by wiggywig on 07/07/2012</em>
331
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:33
Hi If you google night boot or night splint you will find lots of places to purchase...of course you could check a larger pharmacy here to see if they have them. If you look at this link, the one I have is like the top picture. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=plantar+fasciitis+boot Another trick is not to walk barefoot, I always wear a supportive sandle/slipper indoors as walking on tiled floors seemed to be a factor.
422
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:32
My DS does not suffer the same, but has Haglands Deformity on both of his feet. He sufferers from heel pain. Our doctor suggested physio (which did help a lot). At the moment the problem is not there but can flare up every couple of months. We were advised to use insoles which had arch support. In Dubai Mall next to Waitrose there is a shop called, I think, Foot Lab. The lady I spoke to in there knew her stuff and also said the same things that the physio had said. She suggested these insoles. My DS nows wears them all the time and is pain free. They also sell shoes and sandals. Maybe worth a trip down to have a chat. Good luck edited by wiggywig on 07/07/2012 Thank you so much widdywig for the reply. will visit the DM store uv mentioned. How much did the insoles cost? I think they are dhs375 a pair. For my DS well worth the money and have helped him. Not sure whether they would help your mum but maybe worth a chat to them. The make my DS has is Vasyli and come in all sizes. Hope your mum gets relief soon.
455
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:28
My DS does not suffer the same, but has Haglands Deformity on both of his feet. He sufferers from heel pain. Our doctor suggested physio (which did help a lot). At the moment the problem is not there but can flare up every couple of months. We were advised to use insoles which had arch support. In Dubai Mall next to Waitrose there is a shop called, I think, Foot Lab. The lady I spoke to in there knew her stuff and also said the same things that the physio had said. She suggested these insoles. My DS nows wears them all the time and is pain free. They also sell shoes and sandals. Maybe worth a trip down to have a chat. Good luck edited by wiggywig on 07/07/2012 Thank you so much widdywig for the reply. will visit the DM store uv mentioned. How much did the insoles cost?
455
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:26
Thank you Fiat500 for the reply. Could you please give the name of the website and also the online site where u purchased the shoes. Thanx
422
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:08
My DS does not suffer the same, but has Haglands Deformity on both of his feet. He sufferers from heel pain. Our doctor suggested physio (which did help a lot). At the moment the problem is not there but can flare up every couple of months. We were advised to use insoles which had arch support. In Dubai Mall next to Waitrose there is a shop called, I think, Foot Lab. The lady I spoke to in there knew her stuff and also said the same things that the physio had said. She suggested these insoles. My DS nows wears them all the time and is pain free. They also sell shoes and sandals. Maybe worth a trip down to have a chat. Good luck <em>edited by wiggywig on 07/07/2012</em>
331
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2012 - 12:06
I had this a few years ago and it was so painful. Many Doctor's visits later and a few equally painful injections and it was still no better. Then I came accross a website where people had logged their experiences and most successful treatments. The treatment with the most votes was a night boot, a knee high foam boot that attached with velcro and kept your foot slightly stretched upwards overnight. Not very glam but it certainly did the trick. I ordered one online ( you order by size and left/right foot ) and after a couple of weeks it was better and has not returned.....although I have kept the boot on standby! <em>edited by Fiat500 on 07/07/2012</em>
 
 

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