The Plantar Fasciitis saga drags on and the more I discover about it, the less I like it (besides, I don’t have much else to post about at the moment!). Accounts vary wildly, ranging from those who recovered in a few weeks to those who have suffered for years without success and given it up as an intractable problem that they have to mitigate and live with.
I thought I’d garner an opinion from the doctor and I was taken aback by her appraisal of the condition: she seemed quite dismissive of the whole thing and quickly scotched any hope of a definite early solution, stating - more or less - that there is no scientific evidence that any of the available treatments are really effective. Her prognosis:- everyone is different but typically there is a good chance that it will clear up in about a year. Oh great!. Still, it does explain the inconsistencies.
I described the exercises I was doing and she agreed they were a good idea, if only to lessen the discomfort and possibly help it to mend slightly faster. They are a good idea anyway actually, I was previously not paying enough attention to suppleness and stretching .
She did say that it might be worth trying a course of Ibuprofen, which has been known to help some people at a dose of 400mg 3 times per day, and although I don’t like the idea of taking NSAIDs regularly, it’s worth an experiment for two weeks. Generic Ibuprofen is much cheaper than the branded ones and I bought them at Tesco, but I hit a problem at the checkout with my six boxes: they are not allowed to sell me more than two at a time. I’m nearing the end of the course now but I can’t yet say if the PF has actually improved:- Ibuprofen is of course a pain killer.
It already feels like an age since I was out backpacking and PF won’t stop me, but some of my ambitious fast-and-light long route ideas will have to be shelved for a while. Since the physio confirmed that my old rigid orthotics no longer fit accurately (and might be doing more harm than good), I bought an off-the-peg pair of Gaitways that are firm and supportive but well cushioned under the heel. They seemed very wide at first but felt great in my normal shoes on a walk around town. I’ll be evaluating them on the next backpack.
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Hi Geoff
You have my sympathy - PF is painful. I had the problem with my right heel last winter and it took about 3 months for it to go. I used ibuprofen gel on the heel and sole of my foot and found it more effective than taking the tablets. I tried most of the exercises, some of which I could not physically do. The best was to lay down, clench your toes, angle your feet forwards and hold the position for a minute then relax. You can feel your calves and hamstrings tighten when you do this. I also bought a pair of Sole mouldable insoles which have helped. The Army Physical Training Core mail order shop sells them for for £21 which is quite a saving over the usual price.Their web address is https://www.ekmsecure8.co.uk/ekmps/shops/aptcprishop/index.asp A very nice lady on the end of the phone took my order, didn’t ask if I was in the army, and the insoles arrived the following day.
John,
The course of tablets have had no noticeable effect, much as expected. I’m continuing the various exercises and my suppleness is improving a lot.
I think the softer footbeds like Gaitway and Sole are the way forward now, perhaps supplemented under the heel by an extra cushion pad. I’ll make a note of the Army online shop, a good price and service there.
Commiserations
Have you asked over on the Runners’ World (UK) forum for suggestions? I used to read it regularly, and there were lots of people over there with PF and AT (my own problem), and lots of good insights into what does and doesn’t work. Well worth a try, I reckon.
Meanwhile, keep on with the exercises.
Oh, and incidentally: I wasn’t surprised to read that your GP wasn’t terribly helpful. Unless she’s a runner/very active walker herself she probably has very little idea about this sort of condition. I don’t mean to sound disrespectful towards GPs, but I really think that most of their experience is precisely what it’s described as being i.e. general. If you have a university or college within travelling distance with a good sports department you might strike lucky and get hold of a really good physio willing to see you on a private basis. After years of searching for somebody to help with my AT I finally found a bloke who used to be a/the head physio over at Liverpool football club, and he was very helpful.
Very best of luck with it.
PW,
I’ll have a look at Runner’s World and dig out the relevant threads. It’s hard to judge progress with these well cushioned shoes indoors, I can hardly feel a thing until I walk outside on hard surfaces.
I was surprised that my GP didn’t at least refer me to the visiting physio who comes every week, but I don’t feel inclined to press the point.
I am sorry to hear of your problems with Plantar Fasciitis. You may benefit from a trip to the Podiatrist. They can carry out a Gait Analysis which will enable them to manufacture custom made orthotics to fit your shoes. If treated early (i.e. within 3-4 months of the onset of heel pain) Plantar Fasciitis can be treated effectively by wearing orthotics. I hope you find a solution!