Lotsa good input from you guys...Here's mine:
The issue of plantar fasciitis is one that is common to many, many adults over the age of 30 and the numbers go up exponentially as aging progresses....
Being a former athlete and one who has spent a lifetime on his feet, I too have a bit of experience with this problem... So, whether you give a shit about what I think or not, I'm here to help...
The disease itself is nothing more than inflammation of the plantar fascia in or near the heel of your foot..... Every time you've 'planted' your foot on that spot (millions of times) has kinda streesed it out (a little at a time) until the area eventually cries "uncle" and becomes inflamed....
I have had this problem before. But now it rarely gives me any trouble because I DO MY THERAPY on a regular basis.... If you are one of those that only does his therapy (in this case calf stretches) when he's in pain, this malady will return (again and again) and bite you.
The therapy (calf stretching) is easy. Just put the arch of your foot on a step, a curb or even on a flat floor and lean forward until you feel the calf muscles start to pull... Gradually extend forward more and more until you can stretch the calf no further... Then gently relax and repeat several times .... (3 sets of 10 each day is great).....Having the step or curb under your arch simply adds to the degree of stretching to the plantar fascia and helps further relieve the inflammation.... Your objective is to create greater flexibility in that plantar fascia until it stops becoming inflamed all the time....
Cortisone shots: OK, so having more than 3 cortisone shots may be pushing the envelope, I agree. But I've had cortisone injections in a number of inflamed joints of my body that have NEVER bothered me again.... So why discount a great therapy because you may be limited to 3 or 4 injections? You may not need another one for 10 years...?
Orthotics (and I believe that any decent Dr Scholl's orthotic is fine...I've used the $100 ones and they were no frickin' different than the rest...I don't care what the bloody orthopedist says).... A decent orthotic from the drug store is fine, but you must use it every day in every shoe you wear..... If you must buy another one to trim down and fit into that skinny shoe, then do so.... But wear yer damned orthotic all the time ... That's important...
Also, try not to wear shoes that have shitty support...... and it's also not a very good idea to go barefoot all the time either..... I find that the more often I go barefoot, especially walking around on concrete or ceramic tile, the more my fasciitis flares up..... Wear yer fricking shoes with orthotics, dammit.
So go and get the cortisone shots... As Roy said, cortisone is a miracle drug... You'll feel better almost immediately... At least by the next morning.... Purchase and use your orthtics and do yer fkn (calf stretch) therapy every day....
If you follow this regimen religiously, suffering from plantar fasciitis will be a thing of the past.....
Now GTF out'a here and start yer damn therapy like I told ya....
Dr Django
It's hard trying to keep-up your daily activity schedule and let your foot heal at the sametime. Mine had to get real painfull before I did what they told me........
