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KumaP
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Sep. 01 2004,02:46 |
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Dear Dr Foot,
I have been having heel pain for about 5 months on my left foot. It started off with a mild pain early in the morning or after a long rest. However, at the moment, it is really painful whenever I walk, stand or press on it. This has completely affected my life style. I have seen a podiatrist and a doctor who is a sports medicine specialist. Both said it was Plantar Fasciitis and recommended stretching exercises and ice.
I have been reading the forum posts here on this subjects, but I'd like to find out if I am doing everything correctly and why I have not made a significant improvement yet.
Following the advice from the podiatrist and the doctor, I have been doing the following:
- Stretches for gastronomes and soleus muscles: about 30 seconds, repeat 5 times for each foot and each muscle. I do this at night time.
In the morning immediately getting off the bed, and at least once during the day, I only spend 3-4 minutes for stretching.
- After the stretch at night, ice for about 15-20 mins.
- Massage the foot once or twice a day.
I also stopped gym exercises that might aggravate the problem. I have changed my work and sports shoes and have been wearing a heel lift, given to my by the podiatrist for about 4 months. Recently I bought an arch support insole from a Sports shops. New shoes are much better and comfortable than what I was using.
I also have a pain around the ball my heel on both feet when I stand for a minute or longer. I have had this for a year or two now. What is causing this and is this related to Plantar Fasciitis?
As I have been doing the treatment for about 4-5 months without any luck, I'd like to know if I am doing the right thing and Is there anything else I could try.
Thank you.
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Dr Foot
Super Administrators
440
Jan. 2003
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Sep. 01 2004,10:14 |
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Hello, Plantar Fasciitis can take from 1 month to over a year to cure. Your doing all the right things, icing the foot, massage, stretches, Insoles (make sure the arch support have a built in heel pad and are flexible rather than rigid). Other treatment options include silicone heel cups (these can be very effective as the heel is almost in a state of virtual suspension and does not touch the ground), plantar fasciitis night splints (can be effective in some patients), anti-inflammatory gels (limited success but worth a try), shock wave treatment (very hard to get this treatment in the UK and is expensive in the USA, good results), surgery (last resort after 12-18 months, if successful this can cure the condition).
In my experience it al comes down to the type of arch support you have, the level of support, heel pad and flexibility that ultimately cures this condition
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