I had this and apparently cured it. After I sat for a while when I got up and tried to walk I could hardly stand and limped badly due to the pain. The cure was oddly simple. I built a 30 degree wedge big enough to stand on with both feet and then stood on it flat-footed (almost) for as long as I could stand (usually about 20 seconds) a couple of times a day. A lot of the pain appears in the back of the knees since you are stretching ligaments. A little over a week did the job although I still do it every now and then. This all happened 4 or 5 years ago and I have had no recurrence.
Don't worry, Boonie. I had this as part of my foot problems. After 2 minor surgeries on each foot and then 3 major surgeries on one foot and 2 major surgeries on the other foot, I only really have issues with my feet about 1/4 of my waking hours or 100% of the time if I'm doing heavy lifting.
Although in reality, I am doing much better since retirement from the Army and being out of combat boots.
Take a can of veggies. freeze it. In the morning when it really acts up or at night, place the can on the floor and roll it with some pressure from the foot. COLD therapy and light stretching help
The feet were the first to go. Since then, sinuses, throat, ears, esophagus, hernia repair, broken ribs. I've nearly avoided being on a daily regimen of pills. I'm suppose to take Pilosec daily for my esophagus issues.
1. Naproxen sodium 2. Yes, stretch those lower extremities (take a couple of steps away from the wall and lean your upper body towards the wall. 3. Buy arch supports 4. Be patient (it might take 6 months to a year)
I had PF about 12 years ago and I remember sitting in my car about 80 feet from the front door of Lowe's wondering if I had it in me to go buy sand paper and make it back to my car.
Buy the braces, they cost about 35 bucks each. Wear them every night. Do the frozen water bottle thing. Plan an extra bit of time to get up in the morning. I had it,it went away, and it's back now after I started exercising. I hafta find those braces.
Stupid flat feet.
Oh, and you may want to look into getting orthotics. At least the ones from the pharmacy store where you stand on the platform, and they tell you which one to get. They cost 45-50 bucks a pair, and last about 2 years.
I had it, but now it is beat back. I did not do any of the suggested remedies. I just whent to the Dr. and he made custom inserts for my shoes. That is all it tool for me.
I was diagnosed with it over 20 years ago while in the Army. Add to that flat feet, heel spurs, and stress fractures. I could barely march across the street from the barracks to the motor pool! After PT, I would be in so much pain, I could barely walk to get inside. A hot soak in the tub was the only relief.
I tried many different arch supports, insoles, and heel cups. Nothing worked until they made casts of my feet and made prescription custom orthotics from them. As long as they are in my shoes, I can walk most people into the ground. I had a mail route that was 16 miles of daily walking as measured by my pedometer. No problems.
If you want a good foot roller, get a small glass bottle of Coke. The hourglass shape gives a better variety of ways to use it. I would also recommend strengthening your feet and ankles after you get the pain under control. In bare feet, start slowly rising to tip-toes. Gradually increase your speed as your strength grows until you can bounce on your toes as fast as you want, as long as you want. Not jumping! Feet keep contact with floor. Standing beside a hand rail like on a front porch helps.
When you master this, start walking barefoot on a treadmill. Start slowly and increase speed as you get stronger. I was able to run barefoot eventually.
Good advice up there above my reply here. The orthotics are pricey but they work. And you may need to keep getting them as your condition improves. I've found the best two exercises are the one mentioned above (pushing against the wall, stretching one calf at a time, and also stand in your balls of your feet on the stairs. Hold the banister and then let your heels drop down half a step. Feel the stretch. And the towel stretch works well... and wear the braces. You'll feel relief in about a week. Keep wearing them after that. Good luck.
I have suffered from this several times over the last 20 years. I tried the stretching. I have a very good podiatrist who would wrap my feet with tape and it would take the pain away for the time I could keep the tape on. I tried custom orthodics. I even contemplated getting the surgery, which to me has a high probability of making it worse.
Finally I happened to go to a Christmas show and there were some people there from a specialty shoe store. They were pushing a special kind of shoe. It was a rocker style of shoe. The more expensive one was called an MBT, or Massia Barefoot Technology. There were other ones that were cheaper and being somewhat shocked by the prices I bought the cheaper ones first. Immediately when I put the shoes on I felt relief. The rocker shoes cause you to land on the arch part of your foot first of all. They also are lower in the heel than the rest of the shoe. The landing on the center of the foot took pressure away from the hot spot on my heel. The lower heel eventually caused my Achilles tendon to stretch. After a few months this problem disappeared, until the company I worked for got bought out. They forced me to go to safety shoes and the problem came back within 6 months.
Within two years I was let go/retired and not on my feet on concrete all day and the problem is now rectified. I also still wear the rocker shoes at times. I found a few places on line to buy these type of shoes, the MBT's for the older styles at about half off. But, these shoes are still expensive. However, is walking without pain worth $60 to $150 for a pair of shoes?
The MBT's are my choice now since they are really different. They are kind of squishy in the heel, which makes your feet have to work a lot to keep your balance. That builds up your muscles and stretches out your tendons. If you do use these type of shoes, don't plan on wearing them full time the first week or so. If you do your legs will get very tired.
I have suffered from this several times over the last 20 years. I tried the stretching. I have a very good podiatrist who would wrap my feet with tape and it would take the pain away for the time I could keep the tape on. I tried custom orthodics. I even contemplated getting the surgery, which to me has a high probability of making it worse.
Finally I happened to go to a Christmas show and there were some people there from a specialty shoe store. They were pushing a special kind of shoe. It was a rocker style of shoe. The more expensive one was called an MBT, or Massia Barefoot Technology. There were other ones that were cheaper and being somewhat shocked by the prices I bought the cheaper ones first. Immediately when I put the shoes on I felt relief. The rocker shoes cause you to land on the arch part of your foot first of all. They also are lower in the heel than the rest of the shoe. The landing on the center of the foot took pressure away from the hot spot on my heel. The lower heel eventually caused my Achilles tendon to stretch. After a few months this problem disappeared, until the company I worked for got bought out. They forced me to go to safety shoes and the problem came back within 6 months.
Within two years I was let go/retired and not on my feet on concrete all day and the problem is now rectified. I also still wear the rocker shoes at times. I found a few places on line to buy these type of shoes, the MBT's for the older styles at about half off. But, these shoes are still expensive. However, is walking without pain worth $60 to $150 for a pair of shoes?
The MBT's are my choice now since they are really different. They are kind of squishy in the heel, which makes your feet have to work a lot to keep your balance. That builds up your muscles and stretches out your tendons. If you do use these type of shoes, don't plan on wearing them full time the first week or so. If you do your legs will get very tired.
I had PF about 12 years ago and I remember sitting in my car about 80 feet from the front door of Lowe's wondering if I had it in me to go buy sand paper and make it back to my car.
Boy don't I know it! Spent three weeks doing that every minute of every day! The "I'mo' tuff'it out!" syndrome...:faceplant:
Maybe you can ask your alter-ego for a second opinion?
No need. My alter-ego agrees with the diagnosis.
Isn't this a lot like telling a man working on his car that he can't do it because he isn't a licensed mechanic? Where does do-it-yourself end, and who sez?
[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-13-2014).]
As far as DIY medical care goes, it ends when you kill yourself, and the coroner will make that call. As long as you're breathing, you must be doing it right. When you stop - well, it's a little late to worry about the mistake at that point.
I had PF about 12 years ago and I remember sitting in my car about 80 feet from the front door of Lowe's wondering if I had it in me to go buy sand paper and make it back to my car.
quote
Originally posted by Boondawg:
Boy don't I know it! Spent three weeks doing that every minute of every day! The "I'mo' tuff'it out!" syndrome...:faceplant:
How much sandpaper did you need, Boondawg? Write a will, you may have 15 minutes.
I'm a little late for the festivities, but I had this as well.
Mine felt like a "stone bruise" in the middle of my heel.
The "lean against the wall" thing sounds good. I was told to hook a towel under the front of my foot and pull up, while trying to pull the towel down with my toes. Stretches the backs of the legs.
Most important (for me, anyway)... Get some good shoes. I recommend Merrells. That's what helped me. I didn't really do the towel thing much, but it helped my wife. Strangely enough, we both had it at about the same time.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-13-2014).]
Isn't this a lot like telling a man working on his car that he can't do it because he isn't a licensed mechanic? Where does do-it-yourself end, and who sez?
I have to agree. Medically speaking, DIY comes to a halt at surgery and legally obtained prescription pharmaceuticals(at least it does for me).
[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 07-13-2014).]
Suck it up buttercup. Call your local pediatrist. Do you want me to make the call for you ? We have NobamaCare. Seriously though ... if I caused the pain to my wife that my feet cause me, I would be jailed. The abuse I put my feet through everyday... If your feet ain't happy, you ain't happy. I get that. My left work boot has shunken pushing my outside toes in, causing them to rub, but not blister yet. It hurts to walk. My self diagnosis is my left boot is too narrow, no, it shrank. I can get them stretched. Aren't there bigger medical worries to consider ? Like free woman's "spread your legs" pills ?
Best shoes I've ever owned are Thorogood brand. I've owned several styles and they all have been as comfortable as house slippers straight out of the box and they are VERY well made and long lasting. I can't recommend them enough. You can find them on Amazon if not locally. I currently wear a "combat boot" style for motorcycle riding and a waterproof steel toe hiking boot for work. Speaking of waterproof, I've never felt a single drop of water being leaked into these.
Ain't that a scary thought ! 
