Plantar Fasciitis

As a person with very flat feet, and being a person of size, I have had to deal with severe, though intermittent, plantar fasciitis for over 11 years. This condition causes severe pain in the arch area and the back of heel of the affected foot. This pain is much worse after being off of your feet, and is especially prominent on getting out of bed in the morning. Like a knee problem I have (patellofemoral syndrome), this disorder commonly affects runners, but also affects those of normal weight with flat feet and the overweight.

I have been through several rounds of physical therapy, and eventually even underwent surgery for the pain in one foot over 10 years ago, but the disorder recurs, especially when I've been on my feet a lot, or when I walk long distances at a time.

The best treatments, in my opinion, for this condition are stretching, and ice. The best tool for stretching is the ProStretch . I depend on this device when I'm having pain.

The best prevention for me is good supportive footwear and/or orthotics. I wear Birkenstocks (all the time!), and have custom-made orthotics that I use if I have to wear tennis shoes for some reason. I also use orthotics in my golf shoes.

I have just found a golf sandal that has a molded footbed like the Birkenstocks that I plan to order before I hit the course again, though. I'll let you know how that works out!

 

This site can tell you more about orthotics http://www.orthodynamics.com/faq.html . They do a good job of explaining how orthotics can help, and offer both nonprescription and custom orthotics. The custom orthotics must be ordered through a physician. The quality of the custom orthotics is great.

The links below will give you more information about plantar fasciitis:

Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
Execellent medical article on the causes and treatment of plantar fasciitis.

NISMAT Athletic Trainer's Corner Taping for Plantar Fasciitis
How to do taping that REALLY decrease your pain, especially at the early onset of a bad flare-up! Even includes photographs - a big help!

N'ice Stretch
I've just ordered this brace, so I'll let you know how it works. Keeping the foot in the correct position while you sleep is so important, and this brace incorporates ice, so it seemed like a good idea, though it's VERY expensive (in my opinion, anyway!).

Physical Therapy Corner: Plantar Fasciitis
Good site with pictures of recommended stretches.

Orthogate Patient Education Site
You have to scroll down past the ads to get to the information.

Plantar Fasciitis: A Pain in the Heels
Good site for information about this condition.

Heel Spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain
There is a great deal of information at this site, but it does have a commercial aspect as well. You need to explore the site, though, as its creator has suffered with the condition and shares the information he has learned the hard way!

Healthwise Handbook: Plantar Fasciitis
Good overview with some treatment information.