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I got PF in a really stupid way — I overstretched my calves and achilles before running one fine day (I'll never do that again). I had never had any heel pain before. It must have been a partial tear — the pain was pretty bad for the first couple for weeks, especially in the morning, right on the bottom-rear of my heel. That was almost three months ago, and with rest and occasional icing it's gotten better — slowly. It felt so much better that I even tried some short runs recently — up to 2 miles. But it was too soon — even though I felt fine during the run, the pain was worse afterwards, even with icing. My recovery was set back at least another week or two. So now the heel feels at about 80-85% again. It's tantalizingly close, but I know running will re-aggravate the injury. Is there anything else I can do to aid the healing process (no pun intended), such as special (gentle) stretches? Heat? Do those night splints help at all? I do some indoor biking and other exercises, but I'm going to go crazy if I can't start running again pretty soon.

Have you tried orthotics in your shoes??? How about a new pair of running shoes? I tried the splint but it did not help me. If you have had this for at least three months, I would suggest you see a podiatrist. Maybe a shot of cortisone may do the trick. Good Luck and please keep me posted. If you have read any past postings, you will see I battled this for almost two years and tried everything under the sun. I have finally resorted to epf surgery three weeks ago and have high expectations this will finally be cured and will be back on my walking program soon.
Lynn

Lynne -- yes, I do have orthotics in my running shoes, and the latter are pretty new. They're stability shoes recommended by a running shop after they checked my gait for pronation, etc. (there wasn't much pronation, but at the time I was recovering a stress fracture from using the wrong shoes before that). But back to now: if this weren't getting better, I'd definitely see a doctor about it. I'm just trying to nurse it through the final 10-15% of the healing process. The fact that it's finally improved this much is encouraging to me, especially in light of what other people on this board (including you) have gone through. At least mine feels manageable now -- with enough gentle stretching, some activity, ice, and heat when necessary. I have also started doing some easy stretches before bed and early in the morning, since the tendon does seem to tighten up overnight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, especially with the outdoor running season just around the corner here in the upper Midwest. Good luck to you -- your case must have been really bad if you finally had to resort to surgery.

Lynn wrote:Have you tried orthotics in your shoes??? How about a new pair of running shoes? I tried the splint but it did not help me. If you have had this for at least three months, I would suggest you see a podiatrist. Maybe a shot of cortisone may do the trick. Good Luck and please keep me posted. If you have read any past postings, you will see I battled this for almost two years and tried everything under the sun. I have finally resorted to epf surgery three weeks ago and have high expectations this will finally be cured and will be back on my walking program soon.
Lynn

I have had PF since November and I really tired of the pain. . One thing they did in PT that really helped is they taped my foot. I have even ran with it taped and it seems to have hold everything in place. I will try to discribe how they do it. Tape from little toe to big toe around your heal. Use Wide sturdy athletic tape. then starting at the bottom of you heal tape from outside to inside all the way up your foot. It really does help. I may do it. I am going on vacation in 2 weeks and am not looking forward to the walking. I have found the walkfit and now they have walkfit with gel heals work really well too. Has anyone had the surgery.....I am thinking if this will cure it forever, or has anyone done the cortizone. I heard the cortizone can damage the tissue......Any insight would be great

Lynn,
How did the surgery go?

The surgery went great!!!! So far I highly recommend it, but time will tell. I really, really researched it and feel like it was the right decision for me. There virtually is no discomfort with it!! My heel pain is gone. I must say however, that I have an ache in my foot. It feels tired. It has gotten better. Today I did not have it at all. It has been over 4 weeks, but no exercise for six weeks, so I'll let you know then!! Taping of my foot prior to surgery only helped while it was taped, and that got old fast. I think one of the things to remember with pf is it affects so many people in so many ways. I also think that what may work for one may not work for another and when all else fails......surgery. I hear of people that have had it for years and years and wonder why they did not at least try surgery? I know for me I was unwilling to accept changing my active lifestyle without exhausting all options. My doctor seemed to have great results with other patients so I was willing to go for it. If you have any questions let me know, and thanks so much for asking about me. I have learned so much from this website and enjoy hearing other ideas. It also helps to know you are not alone in this awful pain and discomfort.
Lynn

Lynn, I sent you a personal message because I have been looking for someone that
has had the fascia released. After surgery are you having to wear the night splints
and also what about getting the stitches wet after surgery..how long? taking showers
how was that after surgery, could you get it wet..I have it on both feet so it will
be a long process for me...the only shoes that don't hurt me feet is the crocs medical ones
so I can't wear my tennis shoes with my orthotics because they kill me. thanks//Scott

Scott,
I have not worn the medical crocs, I think I'll look into them as an alternative to tennis shoes for a change! It will not be necessary to wear the night splint after surgery. The ligament is cut approximately 1/3 which lengthens it, scar tissue forms to keep it lengthened, hence no need for the splints. For the first 48 hours your foot is quite heavily bandaged and I was told to only sponge bathe. I had surgery on a Wednesday. On Friday I went back to the doctor and he took off the bandage, then I had just a bandaid on each side of my heal. I was told to put neosporim on it every day and change the bandaid. I could not get it wet for one week. I used a shower chair and I have a hand held shower head so I just left my foot out of the shower. He told me as long as I put a bag over it, that would suffice, the other way just worked better for me. The week went fast and after that, there wasn't a problem getting it wet. I did still sit on the chair for another week just because it was hard to stand. As soon as I dried off I put my shoe on immediately, then it was fine! I work in a dental practice, so I was back to work on Monday with no problems. I have had other surgeries with long recoveries, I have to tell you this was a no brainer! I don't know if they would do both feet at once or not. The cam walker is fine to walk on but don't know if it would be as easy with both feet. I guess you would just have to ask the doctor.
It has been five weeks now, I have very little discomfort. As I said before, just tired feeling after say... shopping for several hours. The only shoes I am wearing right now are tennis shoes. I am trying to pick up my speed when walking around to see if I can start my exercise program soon. I think I will give it another week or so, besides I live in northwest Ohio and it has been cold! Honestly it is too early post-op to say my surgery has been a success, yet if it keeps improving like it has been, I would highy recommend it!
Hope this helps, keep me updated!
Lynn

Lynn,
thanks for the info, don't know what a cam walker is...also did the Doctor say you could or should walk on it soon after that?...I am wondering if I can go to work on light duty sitting all day and let it heal for the 5 weeks. thanks, keep my informed on how your foot is healing...also no I wouldn't want to get the surgery on both feet at once, one at a time would suffice. I'm glad I found someone that has had the oper. I am going to talk to my doctor next wednesday ..it really hurts where the fascia meets the heel spur and then the fascia in the middle when wearing arch supports. I don't believe the Crocs (medical) are good for your feet because of the arch support not being very good but that's why they don't hurt my feet..my ligament is sooo tight that regular shoes hurt and make my feet swell and hurt to where I can't walk around without sitting down. thanks again Lynn.//Scott

Scott,

OH HAPPY DAY!!! I went for a walk, granted a short one, only 1 1/2 miles, but guess what??? No pain!!! My foot felt tired, but not painful!!
In answer to you questions.....A cam walker (I'm sure you've seen people wear them), is very hard hard plastic on the bottom with metal stays up the sides and velcro closings, with the toe part missing. You can walk on it. It keeps your ankle and foot from pointing down, and it goes up to just below the knee. Believe it or not, it is quiet comfortable! After surgery, it will be like your best friend! Even if I got up at night to go to the bathroom I slipped it on. You can walk after surgery right away with the "boot" (cam walker) or within 2 days.....depending on your doctor. You would definately be able to go back to work if you don't do a lot of walking within a few days. Remember that is with the endoscopic surgery, which is what I had. With full release, you are on crutches a full 6 weeeks with a boot after that.....After researching and talking with three different doctors, I decided the endoscopic was the best for me. The end results of success no matter which way you went were about the same so I went for the less invasive, and boy am I glad I did. I'll be anxious to hear what your doctor will say on Wed. Let me know.
Lynn

Lynn,
who did your surgery? An orthopedic surgeon or did the pedietrist do it? I am at my wits end. I think the PF has made my whole body out of wack. I am going to be doing something soon. My orthopedic surgeon wants to do cortizone shot but I have also read that that can do permanant damage. I am not really hip on covering up the pain, or does the cortizone do more than that? Anyway congrats on your "well being" you are the envy of us all PF suffers!