Haven't had it, and both my GP and podiatrist said it's no longer a recommended procedure. I do know one woman who had it who was less than satisfied, but I don't know details.

Do you do the exercises? I find they're a huge help. And I've taken oral medication when things get really bad--upsets my stomach, but between that and the exercises, I get relief for my feet.

Is your podiatrist a man or woman? I really think that this is one area of medicine where it makes a difference. My podiatrist (a woman) recommended specific brands of shoes for me--based on the shape of my feet, AND the plantar fasciitis and heel spurs I have. When I put them on, I get almost instant relief (no orthotics needed). And the nice thing is, she recommended fashionable brands--so I don't look like I'm wearing orthopedic shoes. Has your pod. made any shoe recommendations for you?

Have you had a second opinion? from another podiatrist? Maybe a visit to the local teaching hospital that trains podiatrists for a consultation with one of the department chairs?

Good luck--as a fellow sufferer, I know what you're going through.

I have a friend who has it. She went the whole route also, injections (they hurt almost as bad), ultrasound, therapy, shoe inserts, etc, and finally talked her dr into the surgery. She is no better off now than she was before. Poor thing. Her problem is mostly her weight. If she could lose the weight, it would be soooo much better for her and her feet. Good luck.

I did a regimine of anti-inflamitories (Advil) and the excercises. It took about a year to really get rid of it.

I also can't stress enough to wear proper footwear - all the time!

I had good luck with a really nice pair of athletic shoes that have good heel cushion (for me it was good running shoes - nothing from Wal-Mart) - and I ALWAYS wear a pair of Crocs in the house. The cushion of those is so wonderful

Never go barefoot - and do the stretching excercises faithfully. I would check with your doctor on the Advil or Motrin, just to be sure it is OK for you.

It is not something that goes away in a week or month. It takes a long time - and keep up the comfy shoe routine as much as possible afterwards.

Don't do it. I had PF for several weeks and went to a podiatrist who wanted to do surgery, due to its severity. I declined.

I was in great fear of ending up in a wheelchair, because I could no longer walk without great difficulty and that's the reason the doctor was ready to do surgery. My quality of life went into the potty.

I was on crutches part of the time, but most of the time, I just sat around the house. It was incredibly depressing and painful. I did all the THINGS one is supposed to do (ice, stretching, exercises, etc) but saw no good result. At night, my husband would spend 20 minutes stretching my calves and legs in a way a doctor recommended, but that did nothing, other than exhaust his little fingers.

And then I did two things: I started praying (a lot) and then I discovered these heel pads from amazon. They're not ordinary heel pads (which I'd also tried) but they were designed by someone who suffered from PF.

The amazon reviews for this product say that people found relief within a few hours or even a couple days. That wasn't my experience, but within one week, I was able to get out of bed in the morning without tears coming to my eyes from the horrible "first morning steps" pain. Within two weeks, I was able to walk a block or two. Within a month, the pain was very, very minor and I was able to function again.

That was a year ago. Today, I still wear these and the only downside is, I can't go barefoot or wear sandals anymore. I have to wear shoes with these inserts or the pain returns. Even going barefoot for an hour is too much.

However, now I can walk for miles and stand up for hours and all that awful pain and all those tears are just a memory - thank God.

Rose

Here is a link that might be useful: heel that pain (name brand) foot pads

I had it for 7 years and my doctor told me I had one of the worst cases he had seen. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy. I was told to opt for surgery if it had not gone away after two years, but from the research I did on the internet I found out that the surgery causes almost as many problems as the fasciitus.
I tried everything. I could tell the overnight boot/cast made a lot of difference for me. What helped me the most was Vioxx, but that is no longer available. Also very helpful was Birkenstocks. I was hesitant to wear them because they are so ugly, but I decided the power of the pain was greater than my vanity. It took about three or four days of wearing them to tell they made much difference, but boy, they sure did. I still wear them. I have clogs for winter and sandals for summer. I wear crocs when doing yard work or if I want something to slip on fast to go to the store, but for all day wearing I prefer Birkies. When I was working I was on my feet for a lot of hours at a time. We had to wear shoes with a slip resistant sole. My doctor recommended New Balance sneakers. I wore them with the inserts.They were fairly comfortable. When I wear sneakers I still wear that brand with some of those magic foam inserts, but I'm going to check out the inserts that Rose mentioned.
Exercising my feet with tennis balls also seem to help as well as the foot exercises I did before I got out of bed. I still do the leg stretches from time to time. I'm rambling here, but I'm writing things as I think of them.

After the 7 years of total agony the pain began to taper off. I am relatively pain free in my feet now, but they still tire easily. At the end of the day they feel like I've worn high heel shoes all day, but I haven't worn any of those in many, many years and have no plans to.

Bigbaby, I hope yours doesn't last much longer. My heart goes out to anyone who has that for any length of time. Maybe you will find something here today that will help you. Good luck dear.

Linda

Have you been checked for Hypothyroidism?? AND not just the tsh test, but also thyroid antibodies? PF is VERY common for Hypothyroid sufferers. I have pain in the back of my heel, Achilles tendonitis which goes away when I up my thyroid dose. Most Hypo patients get relief from their PF once they get on the right thyroid medications.

Good luck!

Well, Bigbaby, you've got a lot of advice here, so I'll chime in with my $.02.

When I was on crutches for 6 months with a difficult broken leg, I had PF in the other foot, the good foot. What a miserable time that was, and I am so sorry and sympathetic about your troubles.

I agree with others that a good, supportive shoe is essential. What works for one person isn't necessarily the right one for you, so you have to try a few.

Bare feet are out. If you even take a shower, put a soft washcloth in the bottom of the shower for that foot to rest on.

Have you gone for physical therapy to learn exercises to help? If so, be diligent about the exercises.

Here is what helped me: I went to a professional massage therapist and in addition to a whole body massage, she gave extra attention to the PF leg, foot and ankle. My insurance would not pay, but it seemed to help (and ultimately DID help), so I covered the cost myself which was about $100/visit.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can to help, but have you considered checking with another doctor? Maybe there is something different you could try.

I feel your pain. I had PF a long time ago & used to get cortisone shots from my podiatrist, plus a whirlpool for my foot. It switched from one foot to another, which he said would happen, then finally went away - for yrs. Then I got it back about 2 yrs. ago & it lasted about a yr. I agree with what everyone above said already. I would NOT advise surgery. They say it's a last resort but I've heard various things, none of them good. I tried orthotics from the dr., also, and they seemed to make it worse. I did try various pads, etc. from Dr. Scholl's, & they cushioned my heel & helped, but it never went away. I used to fill & freeze a water bottle & roll it under my foot every day. That also helped a bit but mainly it just has to run its course, which for me was about a year both times. I wish you good luck with it. I know how painful it is.

Bigbaby, I had PF a few years back, and I had excellent results with the arch brace linked below, although my condition may not have been as severe as yours, although I was in a lot of pain. I put my sock on over it. I recommend buying two, so that you can alternate them for washing and airing out. This is all I did, no exercises or contraptions to wear to bed, and the pain went totally away after awhile. Might be worth a try to see how it would do for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Arch brace from Solutions

Bigbaby, I suffered with it for a couple of years, and as others have said, it is very, very painful so I do feel for you. Then I ended up working a part-time job that involved my running up and down a flight or two of steps several times a day.

I really do not know if that is what did it or not but within a few weeks it was gone. So I have to say, try the physical therapy and see if it works for you. One of my best friends had the surgery, it did nothing to help her so there was no way I was about to try it.

I just finished 3.5 months of PT for PF and metatarsol ligament tear. It's not as bad as it was, but after being on the foot for an hour or more, it gets tight and hurts. I start to limp.

I've tried the splint, shoe inserts, ultrasound, meds, whirlpool, exercises which I still do, and everything the docs recommend.

I have a very high arch and my pain is in the arch to the inner side and up the ankle. I never have a day without the aches.

I may go to see a third Podiatrist to see what they have to say. I'm told I should where supportive shoes all the time, but where in heck do you find stylish ones especially for the summer. I'm NOT a sneakers kind of girl.

So, I feel your pain, and wish I had an answer. One thing I do regularly is roll a golf ball under my foot. It massages it and feels good. It looses up the tightness, but it does eventually come back. Also, freeze a water bottle and roll your foot on that to help with inflamation and you get a massage at the same time. Recommended by the PT.

I had it for 1 1/2 years. Now it is GONE and you can imagine what a relief that is!! I think there are a few things you must do--watch your footwear. I gave all my flip flops away (to a friend that loved getting them). I never go barefooted, not even to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I have New Balance tennies that I wear around the house; all shoes have some heel--even if it's a tiny bit. I slept in the splint and did the exercises religiously, but I think the shoes are the big thing. You can do it! Splint, exercises, good shoes. It took a year and a half but it's better than surgery!!

I'm just finishing my second bout with it, and sure enough it took one year, yet again, to heal. This last time was the worst and I ended up with Z-Coil shoes that have one large coil in the heal that relieves the pressure and a very good arch support. I was almost to the point where I couldn't stand for more than a few minutes and these shoes saved me; I met someone at a friend's party who had them on and I went from there. Sandals for the summer, and tennis shoes for the winter. I'm trying to wean myself off of them now, but still put them on when I've and gone barefoot in the house on a hot day (I know I shouldn't but my feet get so hot and swell!) I tried many things like everyone else, but for me, these did the trick. I also think stretching the heel in bed before you get up makes those first steps less painful. Good luck!
P.S. I was too much of a baby to get the cortisone shots.

Sue,
Been there & had the surgery. I really had so much pain & swelling prior to the surgery and all of the drugs, cortisone shots, etc. to try to alleviate the pain. No biggy on the surgery itself BUT I cannot wear closed toe shoes nor anything w/arches. You see I have deformed feet-all my toes have almost overlapped on each other, hammerotes, etc and the flattest feet ever. In fact the surgeon who did the PF? Told me in all of his 38 years of foot surgeries-I was the worst he had ever seen.
Once I moved to Fl-in fact 4 yrs ago went to see a specialist to see about corrective surgery on both feet..he said he wouldn't touch them. He in turn referred me to yet another special specialist but my Tricare refused an appointment after talking to specialist #1. Talk about being between a rock & a hard place.
Anyhoo-it was a great relief to have that PF surgery & I just had to stay off it for a few weeks.

My friend had the surgery on her feet. They are better than what they were but she still has problems(maybe 25%)and wears specially fitted shoes(I guess orthopedic type but they look like regular tennis shoes-kind of expensive)

She is happy overall with her surgery and success rate she works as a custodian and is on her feet all day so with only 25% of problems now that is a huge improvement for her.

She had to stay off her feet for a certain amount of time(weeks not sure how many) plus I think they gave her a mild pain medicine for the first 2 or 3 days.

This is the second doctor I have consulted now. He has not mentioned exercises. Does anyone have a link that shows which exercises I should do? Also, Azzalea, what kind of shoes did your doctor recommend? Mine recommended Birkenstocks. I went right out and bought a pair.

I was given an elastic brace by the first doctor and have been wearing it for almost two years now. When I started seeing this new doctor I asked him about the brace and he said that sure, I could keep wearing it--not that I should but that I could. My foot was feeling better so I did a dumb thing. I went without the brace for one day and BAM, major hurt again. I feel about fifty kinds of stupid now!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I do walk barefoot to the bathroom in the night and also when I go swimming I walk from the locker room to the pool in flip flops only. Do you think that is harmful? Otherwise I always have on the birkies.

Thanks, everyone, for all of your feedback. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it and how much it helps to hear your experience. Gives me a little hope that one day it will go away.

I forgot to mention something. Way back when this first started I got a cortisone shot from the first doctor. He never told me that I should be careful because the shots weaken the fasciia. Well, I was chasing one of the ducks one day and felt a pop in my foot followed by extreme pain. Went to the ER and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. One year and 9 months later the new doctor tells me that my fascia actually tore and showed me where there was a knot in my arch from it. The ER and other doc didn't want me to know that because he never warned me about being careful. I cried. I don't know how people can be so irresponsible.

My doctor told me never, never go barefooted! Always wear something with a wedge heel. He also recommended New Balance tennis shoes with the numbers above 801. I was also fitted for orthopedic shoes. Looked like my great grandmothers shoes but they felt great. Mine lasted 3 years and left as fast as it came upon me. Good luck and put on some shoes!!!!LOL

Bigbaby, this is just my opinion, but I would like to suggest that you do wear your Birkies to get to the bathroom from the bed and perhaps buy some crocs to wear to the pool. Water can't hurt them.

About the exercises:
Before you get out of bed every morning, sit on the side of the bed and move your feet in circles, then write the alphabet with your toes.
The doctor didn't tell me this, but before doing that while I was sitting up in the bed I bent my leg so I could easily reach my foot. I massaged the arch of my feet ( I had it in both feet )with my thumb and then just gave my feet a general all over massage.
Once I got out of bed or when I stood up after sitting in a chair I stood about two feet from a wall. I put both hands on the wall. I can't remember if you have it in one foot or both. If it is one foot, put that leg behind you. Keep it straight and stretch til you can feel the back of your calf stretching. While doing this you will need to slightly bend the knee on the leg in front. You don't want to stretch that one. I cannot remember how long to hold that stretch, but I would say maybe 20 to 30 seconds. Do not bounce while stretching. Just do it slowlly. It will help alleviate some of the pain you normally feel when you first get up.
You can do that stretch several times a day. I still do it occasionally.
When I had PF I found a message board , but that was a few years ago and I have no idea what it was or where it was.Sorry I can't help you there.

Linda

My uncle, who is an orthopedic surgeon, told my aunt to avoid these foot procedures by podiatrists. I have Plantars and saw a male podiatrist (who was very egotistical). He had nothing much to say except that I'd probably always be in some pain and I could have surgery if I opted. Instead, I learned to wear certain shoes and I never go barefoot. Not even in the house. I also have problems with my big toes and they are always a bit sore, but proper shoes and no barefeet have really helped.

Sheryl

I developed it by walking way too much, I stopped walking
and just made myself rest ! which was very hard but I did and it finally went a way, I'm never barefooted either.
Olga,

Bigbaby--the kind of shoe your podiatrist recommends should be based on your foot type, so what works for me, may not work for you. In my case, my podiatrist told me I should NEVER wear birkenstocks--that they'd make my problem much worse.

Your best bet is to get a recommendation from your podiatrist. And as I think I said above--if it's a woman podiatrist, she may just be a little more inclined to recommend shoes that are both fashionable and the best choice for your specific needs.

Bigbaby, I bet you didn't expect to get so many replies!! You've got at least a dozen doctors in addition to your podiatrist! LOL!

I like Linda's advice about the stretching. I still do those stretches to prevent the return of PF.

Susan

I have struggle with this for years. I have had shots and gone through the whole physical therapy thing. The dr at one point had suggested surgery but it wasn't something I was comfortable with.
I finally went to a lady that specialized in foot therapy. She was amazing! Now every time I get a flare up I make an apt. with her.
I am however getting ready to have surgery on my left foot. For some reason the tendons in my last three toes have tightened to the point that my toes no longer bend and I an in constant pain. This procedure is nothing like what they wanted to do for the planters.

Linda described the exercises well. Do them faithfully several times every day, and before every walk of any distance. It will take a long, long time to heal, but you will. Patience, patience, patience, and ibuprofen!

Once you heal, continue the exercises every morning and a time or two during the day. I had PF for years and am always afraid of a return, but exercise seems to have kept it at bay for the last several years.

Also, is your doctor a board certified orthopedic MD or a podiatrist? IMO I think you need an MD.

Good luck to you. I'll think of you when I'm doing my maintenance exercises.

I, too developed it from walking, though I believe it is the cement that makes the problem. Perhaps walking around a track is better?

Susan, you can't imagine how helpful all these responses have been. I feel like I at least have something to go on now. I went back to get my final ultrasound today and we talked about more options. Besides the PF, he said I have also torn my tendon on the outside of my foot. It is extremely sore there and this started about two months ago. He is going to put me in a slightly more binding splint. I now wear an elastic brace, which helps. He seems to think the PF is better but that my main problem now is the tendon. I have started doing some exercises and stretching before getting out of the bed in the morning and it really helps. I told the doc about you guys and your advice and he was impressed! He said I do need to be careful about exercising too much because of the tendon thing. He wanted to give me a cortisone shot but I said no. My chiropractor told me that they really don't do anything but mask the problem and make the fasciia weaker. I had one before and it didn't do much. Anyway, thanks everyone for all your help and support.

Here's something I read about in this morning's newspaper: its called ESWT (extra corporeal shock wave therapy) which uses ultrasound to treat the inflammation.

Supposedly it's nonsurgical and helps in about 90% of cases. Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? It's good to know about it anyway. You could google it for more info.

Don't give up.