PLANTAR FASCIITIS: When the night splint doesn't work anymore . . .

[bertha katzenengel]

OUCH!

That is all.

Signed,

Short-Timer

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. I've been having problems with this too...

At least, I think that's what it is. I haven't been to a doctor...If it's Plantar's Fasciitis, there's nothing he can do anyway... :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

8. he can give you a night splint

just because i'm whining that it's not working very well anymore doesn't mean it's not worth a try. see post # 7.

:hug:

[borlis]

21. I had shock wave therapy for this a few years ago

It was like a miracle. The treatment is relatively new and some insurane companies don't want to cover it, although I can't understand why because it's not surgery. They will cover surgery. This was done with kind of like a super ultrasound. They injected my foot to numb it and then put the machine directly on the spot where my foot was bad. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes and my foot was really numb the rest of the day. It took a little longer to be pain free than the Dr. thought but I was the worst case he had ever seen. Most people who have this are pain free within a few days. It took me about 5 weeks. It was over 3 years ago and I don't have any pain at all. This (I feel) is a much better choice than surgery. Good luck!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. Thanks for the info!

I may try the boot that Bertha recommended first...to see if it'll just go away. :-)

[lavenderdiva]

2. I have it in my right foot...

but we don't have health insurance, so there's nothing I can do about it anyway. From what I've read online about it, you have to keep it at a certain angle for long periods of time, to help stretch the muscle. I tried wrapping my foot to keep it that way, but it really didn't help. I try to watch which shoes I wear for long periods of time.... :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

7. try one of these if you can, L. Diva

http://www.medsupports.com/MedSupports/adjnightsplint.html (the best price I've found)

I know if you don't have insurance, you're probably cash poor. I'm sorry. But if you can get one of these night splints, and get over the first few nights' weird feeling, it really will help. You'll notice it's easier to walk in the morning after the first night.

http://www.jansenmedical.net/Plantar-Fasciitis-Night-Splints-c-292.html?gclid=CIHhmIrk0IQCFRc5LAodKkG-XQ

on that page, I think I'm going to buy the second one. Never used that kind - page says "actually comfortable enough to sleep in!" We'll see if it actually gives as much support as the one in the first link.

Best wishes

[BlueStateBlue]

11. Do you need a prescription for these splints?

I have been seeing a podiatrist for the past few months, and he prescribed Feldene, which is a long-acting anti-inflamatory. It has helped, but I'm still not 100%.

Does the night splint make it go away altogether?

[bertha katzenengel]

13. No Rx required for the splints.

I have heard if you wear the splint consistently for months, the fascia gets stretched sufficiently so that the pain goes away. But I would imagine a good stretching regimen after the pain goes would help it stay away.

Good luck!

[lavenderdiva]

20. thank you sweetie!

I have bookmarked both sites, and should I get some extra moolah, I am going to get one of them. I've been using an ace bandage wrapped around my foot, to make it look like what the splints end up with. Been doing it off and on. I really need to do the stretches regularly. And lose weight. ugh! :hi:

[LaurenG]

3. stretching

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=144&topcategory=Foot

BTW, Why did you sign; short timer? Are you quitting your job? :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

4. YES! Counting down to May 31.

:woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce:
:bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo:

[LaurenG]

5. Good News. I'm so glad to hear this!

:bounce: :woohoo: :applause: indeed!

[calico1]

6. I have it.

Have you tried taping your foot?

[bertha katzenengel]

10. actually, i have a hefty Rx for Lidoderm patches

they help to an extent, even though, heavily taped, they still slip as I walk around during the day.

I don't tape it because I always get the tape too tight. :eyes:

[calico1]

17. I also use this to stretch my foot:

https://plus37.safe-order.net/cgi-heelspurs/a/b.cgi?p=pro

I can really feel the stretch but I do it for at least 2-3 minutes at a time. Also stopped wearing slippers to be around the house and instead wear running shoes, which supposedly give the best foot support.

[EstimatedProphet]

9. God those suck

[Beausoir]

12. I had it a few years ago. Extreme pain. I hope you get some relief. n/t

[begley]

14. I have it, and stretching is working wonders

The pain is reduced every time I stretch.

1. standing on a step or board and hyperextending your calf 3 times @ 10 seconds each
2. Standing with one foot near a wall and the other foot back as far as you can while keeping it flat again 3 times @ 20 seconds per.
Do both stretches four or five times a day or whenever the bottom of your heel hurts.

The problem is, it starts to work, so you feel good for a couple of days, then you stop stretching.

Also, people who get this are usually at least somewhat overweight. Ive heard losing 10 lbs makes a big difference.

[KitchenWitch]

15. My mom has it, and from what I have heard

it is excruciating.

I am so sorry you are suffering... :hug:

[LiberalEsto]

16. Minor surgery fixed mine a few years ago

It was done at a surgical center under local anesthesia. The podiatrist used a laparoscope and made a careful cut of about 1/3 of a ligament on the bottom of the foot. I had it done separately for each foot.

It healed in no time and I have been pain-free for about 5 years. It used to feel like I was walking on hot coals.

[radwriter0555]

18. Heel cups.

The nice silicone ones. Use them for a few months.

Then, start investing in real shoes. Like birkenstock, stonefly, Finn, Dansk clogs. Dr. Scholls.

I have plantar fasciitis and have resolved it pretty well with wearing top, top quality shoes 6 days out of 7. And for a few hours every week I get to wear strappy ass sandals and hot, sexy shoes!!!! Without surgery, without anymore injections, without pain pills.

It took 3 years to find a doctor who put me in the heel cups first, then I learned about proper shoes for this condition. I thought he was NUTS. I threw a massive temper tantrum, I cussed him out and started crying. He begged me to try them for a week.

That was 5 years ago. He was right.

Dr. Mandelbaum. Santa Monica Orthopedic Group. One of the top professional athletic orthopedic docs in California. I changed insurance and provider groups to go to that guy, and he fixed it.

Good luck. The shoes will cost a FORTUNE, but with care they last at least 2 years. I spend about $400 a year on these types of shoes. You don't want to know what I spend on the fancy, pretty ones, but I don't shop at Payless Shoes either.

Good luck. I rode the horse. I hope you can benefit from my experience.

[flamingyouth]

19. Ugh, that sucks

I had a bad time with that after breaking my foot a few years ago. Had PT and it helped. Regular stretching/yoga/Pilates has helped the most of all. Hope you can get some relief.

I'm miserable tonight too - had a root canal yesterday and a bunch of other dental work this week. ouch. :(

[REP]

22. Only One Thing Works/ed For Me: Platform Wedgies!

Mine hurts in the opposite end of where most people have pain (I think it's usually heel pain, and mine's ball of the foot). I found that wearing wedge heels, especially *platform* wedge heels not only allowed me walk but once it healed, kept it from coming back. My doctor said that wedge heels are traditional therapy, but pointing at the black Thai-silk and rhinestone platform wedge thongs I was wearing, *those* were not.