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Laynesmom- I hate to think of a child going through this. I would follow with what Sue said and find a sports medicine therapist and doctor to start to combat it now. You mentioned that he has flat arches, I have also heard of taping the foot so the arch gets more support all day long. A PT or Dr should be able to show you how to do this.

Cheryl

Hi Laynesmom - Regarding the taping for the arches, my physical therapist did that to me, and it did help; however, he told me that you can only do it for short periods of time i.e. for a football game or a baseball game. So, that would get your child through the games, but it's not an answer . . . unfortunately! I was hoping that I could just keep my feet taped forever!

Sue

thank you for the advice. We do have a Podiatrist and he has taught us how to tape his feet. Do you know if any of the wrap around arch supports work? The tape drives him nuts because it will bunch and roll especially when he is exercising. And what are wall stretches? We have only been taught basic stretches.

Hi,
Another question Is pain in the calf muscles also common? and Sue you mentioned rest but the doc recommended walking on the sand (I'm from an island in the C'bbean). I walked to work and from work yesterday and its really bad today the pain and stiffness . Also does anyone have any recommendations for the type of shoes I can get? I tried trainers today and had to take them off very uncomfortable. I usually wear wedge heeled sandals I feel very uncomfortable in flats. I'm flat footed.

Hi Sue, Just googled searched for pain and that's how I found this site...
It's exactly how I am. I thought it was me asking the question!
I have had pain for over a year. But the last 4 months have been severe. Been to the doctor, got the orthodic (which cost an arm).bought the newest New Balance shoe (that they said is good for this problem) (can't even wear the shoes) .I am on my feet all day (waitress). Now I walk on my ball of foot, and the other foot on my toes, bruised the right toe nail, from walking funny. My left foot is the one with the plantar F.
I've iced, stretch, and wear the splint at night. I have had it today, UP TO HERE. I called the doctor and I am going in Nov. 5 for the cortizone shots. OMG. I hate needles, I will probably faint . I do think it will hurt, even if they numb the area.
They say it works for some and some don't get relief. I need to do this, or else I will be out of a job.(can't even walk) I look like I am in pain, wobbling.
I asked the doctor the first time if he could put me out on disability till I got better (off my feet for 9 hrs. a day.)...he said no, it's hard to do that with the goverment....What the heck does that mean, I'm the server on my feet, my foot is the problem here. I can't work with this pain. So he gave me a doctors note for 2 weeks...that was a few months ago. Of course there's relief when your not on it all day. Right now I am rolling a bottle of water with my foot, that has been in the freezer, took two 500 mg of naproxen, that won't get rid of it either, just my headache that I got from the worries.

Hi Laynesmom: The wall stretches are actually achilles stretches for the calf - Somehow, which I don't really understand, the plantar fascia is tied into the achilles tendon - When the plantar fascia gets tight, the achilles tendon is also affected. I have been doing the stretches for a while now, and seems to help a little . . . Here are the instructions:

Achilles Stretch
1) Stand facing a wall and place your hands straight out on the wall
2) Step back with your affected foot keeping it flat on the floor
3) Move the other leg forward and slowly lean in toward the wall
4) Stop when you feel a stretch through the calf
5) Hold for 30 seconds then relax - repeat 10 times

I know that somewhere on the internet, there must be a video of these if you want to watch - I got them from my physical therapist so he showed me while I was there.

I currently have the velco wrap around arch supports - I wear them w/socks in the evening because I get so tired of wearing shoes all the time, and the worst thing that you can do is walk barefoot! They are okay - not sure if they help but they do prevent further damage (I guess)!

Hi Suetina - Not sure about pain in the calf muscles specifically, but I am sure that it could be - this condition seems to affect your entire physical structure. All because you are walking so differently and shifting your weight so as to not put pressure on the arches or heels - Anything not to have that pain in your heels!

I am not sure about walking in the sand - I have never heard of that!

I have purchased two pair of VERY EXPENSIVE New Balance sneakers (I think they are 811 and 844) for $120+/pair - they are walking shoes which were recommended by a local shoe store which specializes in foot problems (I also contacted New Balance directly and was advised that these were recommended for plantar fasciitis) - All I can tell you is that they are so friggin heavy that they are making my knee and shins VERY painful! Sandals are supposed to be one of the worst things that you can wear because there is absolutely no arch support in any of them - So, I just don't know what to tell you about shoes! If you find a pair that is comfortable, let me know!

My son had the same problem at 14. He also played football. Take him to a podiatrist. He is NOT to young to have a cortisone shot in his heel. It really did the trick for him. Really stay on this. It probably will not become a chronic problem as he grows, but I can tell the one cortisone shot worked for my son. Please tell the Dr. to numb his foot with anesthetic first! Let me know. Good Luck!!
Lynn

Hi Lynn- the doctor said he does not recommend the cortizone shot. I will get another doctor to look at him and hopefully they will have a different opinion. My son has had this for 2 years now and it is due to having flat feet more than due to an injury. Does your son have flat feet? Hearing that this can go away is encouraging to me. Thank you!
-Kyndal

Hi Nini - Can you even believe how much this friggin condition hurts? OMG - and you, as a waitress - I absolutely couldn't do it - I have not had the cortizone shot as I don't have one specific place that it hurts - I have heard both stories - that the shots hurt and that they do not hurt - but I agree with you . . . I get faint just thinking about it - never mind doing it. From what I have heard, the shot can last from 1 week to 5 years - I guess that it just depends - on what, I don't know!

I also got custom orthotics for $500 a few months ago - Did the doctor tell you that you have to break them in gradually - an hour a day - working up to full-time. I did just that and by the time I reached 4 hours or so, not only did I have the plantar fascia pain, but my entire foot was killing me - Also, did you know that there are "hard" and "soft" orthotics? He got me the hard ones - Does anyone know anything about the soft ones? Anyway, the last time I saw my doctor, I handed the orthotics back to him (not nicely) and told him they were useless - He said he would try and get a refund or have them "redone" - whatever that means!

What's Naproxen - is it an anti-inflammatory?


Sue

hello all,

i suffered w/ crippling foot pain for over six years, and went thru most of the "cures"
mentioned. (i feel very lucky that cortisone injections were not suggested!!) my salvation
turned out to be a very odd item called yogatoes. read my story in the "comments"
section of the following link (i am "Hippo Crates", #14 and #33); some other commenters
mention them too.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/1 ... they-lead/

a warning: i have recently seen "similar" items at the drugstore and in a newspaper ad
insert, for about $10, compared to $50 for the yogatoes. pls don't be fooled; they are a
cheap imitation, really not the same at all. if you have already spent $$ on md's, pt,
orthotics, etc., don't skimp on this relatively small $$ difference - there's a good chance
this is the solution you've been looking for, as it was for me.

best, gina

I have an appointment for Weds. morning to meet with my orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery. I have 1,000 questions, and this weekend I am going to write them all down. I want to see when he can schedule it. It's not a matter of if anymore, but when can I have the surgery done. I have had pain off and on for 10 years that has gotten progressively worse. And I have had constant pain since last winter. I will post this on the surgery thread on this site. If anyone has good ideas for questions that I might miss, please post them there, and I will add them to my list and I can post his answers on Weds after my appointment.

Thanks everyone, It's been nice having an outlet of people who are experiencing the same issues.

Cheryl

Kyndal & Cheryl,

Kyndal yes my son was very flat footed. The shot really helped my son. I don't think your son has pf. I remeber the dr. telling us because of his age something to do with his growth plate in his foot started the whole thing. It was several years ago, he was big for his age. He played football through high school and college and was fine. I wish him well, get several opinons if you have to.

Cheryl,
Are you still wearing the boot or did you give it the boot??? My foot hurts almost as bad in it, I will wear it till Mon. then off with it!! As far as your pre-sugery questions, please ask if it is endoscopic or not, I am leaning towards that but I simply cannot have it done before the first of the year. Yikes, I hope it helps!!

TO THOSE AFRAID OF SHOTS..... I can tell you if you have the numb the area first it is a easy (at least it was for me). I have had three of them the first two helped for a couple of months, the third did nothing!! It is certainly worth a try.

It is nice knowing we have this sight for all these ideas, thanks,

Lynn

cheryl, lynn, nini, sue & others,

PLEASE read my previous post - and follow the link there to my story.

i know what all of you are going thru! i was in pain and virtually crippled for over six years.

PLEASE read my previous post - especially if you are contemplating surgery, cortisone shots,
or expensive orthotics.

best, gina