Plantar fasciitis, four months in.

Hi, I've posted here before regarding my issues with pain on the top of my foot and the problems the skin on the bottom of my foot causes me.

My current problems with plantar fasciitis are by far the worst, I've had to stop all sports for 4 months now and there's no sign of things getting better.

Four months ago i was on holiday and stupidly i ran around in some cheap flat pumps. I'd never had problems with plantar fasciitis before but now i just cant seem to control it and make it go away.

Under the advise from these forums(for my other problems) I visited a physio for a biomechanical assessment, he identified that my foot transfers weight strangely (when walking and running) and also told me I have high rigid arches. He gave me various exercises to preform and advised me to wear orthotics at all times.

The main pain is located at my heel area on both feet, i feel it constantly when I'm on my feet (like a bruised, numb feeling). I've tried various insoles and heel cups, some I've found make it less painful, but non of them seem to be doing much to stop the problem.

I've had cream and anti inflammatory's from my doctor, the cream gave some pain relief but hasn't taken the problem away.

I notice the pain becomes more intense if im on my feet for long periods of time so i know if i even attempted to return to sport it would take me back to stage one of recovery.

Recently I've started to try and tape my feet for support as this is something the physio did on one visit and it felt a lot better for the 5 days i left the tape on.

Do you have any advice for me or anything i should try? I keep telling myself it will get better but 4 months on its becoming extremely frustrating as im only 23 and enjoy playing sport so much.

Thank you

Re: Plantar fasciitis, four months in.

Hi There are many things you can do to treat your plantar fasciitis. I had plantar fasciitis for about a year and I discovered that treatment is individual. Things that work for one will not necessarily work for the other. The good news is that you have many treatments you can try but you must be persistent and patient.

I have followed a good plantar fasciitis treatment review website in this link. There are many self care treatments ideas in there but I think you should consult a podiatrist before do something.

Take care

Re: Plantar fasciitis, four months in.

Hi,

Im sure that you've tried most things but I would recommend looking in to having a course of dry-needling treatment(s). I have found it very useful in treating this presentation, however, it can be quite uncomfortable. Also theres specifically designed stockings for night-time wear that you could look into.
Hope this helps.

Re: Plantar fasciitis, four months in.

The problem by now is that there is fibrosis/calcification happening within the plantar fascia this makes it stiff. You will need to break this down before you feel any big relief if you want exercise for this check out utube or this site Plantar Fasciitis Treatment UK | Exercises | Plantar Fascia Strain. However with your previous history and present 4 months duration and trying orthotics I would seek Shock wave Therapy or ESWT. It works normally within 1 month and only 3 treatments should be needed. Check out this site for more information. London Shock Wave Therapy Clinic - shock wave treatment in london
good luck!

Re: Plantar fasciitis, four months in.

All good stuff. Really good information sites.

As a physio, I had a recent lingering bout of plantar fasciitis myself after a sudden 20 km walk in the wilderness.

Just wanted to add:

Keep up with the icing. The frozen water bottle is just perfect.
Keep up with plantar fascia taping, it can give your foot the needed relief time to make the shift to healing. If your tape job isn't working, try a different plantar fascia tape job.
Address the tibial posterior. It's a muscle that supports the arch. You're high arched but you wear orthotics. Perhaps your arch "collapses" as you walk. This stresses the tibial posterior, which can cause an whole lot of pain in your arch heel area. Here's a link that may be helpful Posterior Tibial Tendonitis/Insufficiency Treatment: Trigger Point Massage The diagram doesn't show very well how closer to the ankle the muscle really hugs the tibia bone and curls round the medial maleolus into the arch of the foot. That would help you get an idea of how to release the muscle in its lower areas.
If your tib post is affected, you'll know by the painful massage, look into strengthening it (and not straining it with bad shoes.)
The dry needling is awesome as Simon says, and can be painful, but the kind of painful that brings relief.

Good luck. As Ezrida says, each treatment is unique to the individual. So finding a physio who will address you as an individual, rather than here's my regular plantar fasciitis treatment applied to you, is what may turn the corner.