I can't offer suggestions for your problem but will say that I have Vionic flip flops. They were quite painful when new, but I now wear them everyday. They are as comfortable as a pair of sneakers, once you get past breaking them in!

DH and I each got plantar fascitis a few years ago after living in our new home with all tile and wood floors for about a year. Anyway, his was helped with OTC Dr. Scholl's inserts. I went through OTC, semi custom and custom. Nothing worked. Good Feet was recommended to me and I was desperate enough to try anything. I got almost immediate improvement and continue to wear them with no flare-ups. I don't know if they'd help your condition but if you get relief from nothing else, perhaps you'd like to pop in and at least talk with them and let them map you.

I would definitely see a podiatrist. I out of nowhere had Morton's neuroma a few years ago. I didn't know what it was but it was driving me crazy. I told the podiatrist that I kept thinking my socks were crumbled up around my foot and I would keep checking and the socks were totally smooth...............or it felt like a little pebble . He said this was the classic symptom description for Morton's neuroma. He gave me custom orthotics (they cast a mold, the whole nine yards). Anyway, I only wear them in my sneakers when I go to the gym. It would be better if I wore them in every day shoes but I never take them out from the sneakers (also they wont really fit in anything remotely stylish). I only use them for gym (zumba) and I have not had any problems since. Before this, if I did a lot of walking, I would be in pain. Somehow it doesn't hurt me anymore. I have thought about trying some of the Dr Scholl's OTC ones to try for my regular shoes but haven't had the need.

The difference these Orthotics have made is AMAZING. They said sometimes orthotics will help, and sometimes surgery. So far, so good. I think if orthotics is an option definitely try that with the custom made ones a the podiatrist.

Mimi, Amj, and Dawn, it's not plantar fasciitis. Right not that's not even bothering me because of my Viconics. I have Plantar Fibroma.

Before anyone says I shouldn't diagnose myself from the Net, this had to be the easiest diagnosis I've ever found. First treatment are orthotics. My problem is the orthotics I see have a raised arch, just like the viconics do. But the viconics have a hard arch.

I guess my question is this, are the orthotics soft enough to where the raised arches on them won't hurt my foot? The raised arch on my viconics hits the knot and causes pain.

Of course now I'm going to have to go back to regular cushioned houseshoes over my vionics!

Amj, when mine arrived, I was so angry at how hard they were, and how they weren't cushioned. Now I love them! Plus they made the plantar fasciitis go away.

It sounds like I'm stuck with this knot for life. I will keep an eye on it though.

I would see an orthopedist, or, at the very least, a podiatrist.

Oakley, I'm a physical therapist and the reason I suggested tx for plantar fasciitis is because it would help. You have a nodule, an inflamed nodule, in your plantar fascia, and that underlying chronic problem should be addressed as well as this acute problem.

The conservative treatment is the same.

Good luck!

Regarding orthotics, it's best to get custom.

Without getting too technical, it's not all about propping up flat arches. Not in the least. It's about correcting hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot misalignment.

Podiatrists and physical therapists can provide casting and customization instructions for your specific orthotic needs after and in-depth evaluation of your anatomy and gait.

Yes, I did realize when I wrote above that you have a different condition. My point was that, should all else fail, you might want to check out GF for possible solutions for your particular problem. I know from personal experience that custom supports do not always work. Obviously you will first want to see a specialist for tx and dx. Good luck:).

Thanks mimi and dawn. I'll read up on what you wrote earlier, Mimi. From what I gathered there really isn't much known about this. I could have it taken out and chances are good it will come back.

Nothing was said about how the the fibroma is related to fasciitis, but the nodule is thought to be heriditary.

My arches look great! The foot doesn't hurt in my regular houseshoes because nothing is touching it, thanks to my arch being high enough.

I still think the Vionics caused this. It's just too much of a coincidence. The hard arch support in them presses right up against the nodule.

Sorry to hear you're dealing with. I don't have anything to add about the fibroma, but wanted to mention I found a great pair of cushioned shoes to wear around the house this summer, Telic. They sorta look like Croc sandals, and are no fashion statement, but they are so comfy and cushy, yet supportive at the same time. They have several different styles (I got the z-strap), but the same footbed. Besides being comfortable, they can go in the wash.

I have lost the link I had for foot exercises. She recommended lining your feet up on a grout line to get a feel for that foot placement, and walk a little pigeon toed, so you roll along the outside of your foot, which strengthens the arches.

Practice raising your big toe independently was one of the exercises, too.

I hope you can find some relief....check the footsmart website, as they may have a pad for it.

My sister has flat feet and she had plantar fibroma nodules. They caused her so much pain she could barely walk so she had them surgically removed. Doctor warned her that they could come back but it's been a few years and they haven't returned.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to see a foot doctor. My husband dealt with PF. He buys his orthotics from the dr. I would definitely go and have this checked out - you never know if there are other options that you're not finding on the web. I would want to know if physical therapy, exercises, etc. would be of help. First thing they will want to do if get the inflammation down - ice? injection?

Also, I hope you were seen by a doctor regarding your ulcers. There is so much that can be done for that also - no need to suffer needlessly.

I would want to know if physical therapy, exercises, etc. would be of help. First thing they will want to do if get the inflammation down - ice? injection?

*******

That's why I suggested iontophoresis, which can deliver a corticosteroid transdermally, without a needle.

Exercises include stretching and strengthening of the intrinsic muscles of the foot. Other modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation can be employed, along with hot/cold therapy, joint mobilization and massage.

Orthotics can be a useful tool in a multi-pronged approach to management.

Is the corticosteroid to reduce swelling? And what would therapy do?

Today I did errands in my Reeboks and I had a tiny bit of pain because they had some arch support. If I wear flats it doesn't hurt.

Magdalena, your poor sister! If my foot was flatter I'd be in the E.R. lol

The good thing is I mostly wear flats.

Tina, I just finished a 14 day drug therapy a few days ago for my ulcer, praying it doesn't come back. Did I mention it's about four inches from my hernia which is from surgical scar tissue? :)

Yes, the steroid is to reduce inflammation and in turn, pain. The other things are to address muscle imbalance, weakness and misalignment for prevention.

You'll learn all the things you can do at home too.

I hope you can get relief soon!

Yes Mimi, that's why I posted that. I am very pro PT and those type treatments. I have had great success myself (have not had feet issues tho). My husband had good success with a variety of PT, home exercises, icing and injections. He is on his feet most of the day, so he does wear the orthotics.

Oakley, are you saying you had ulcers from an infection? Darn! I can't remember the name of it. That's the only reason I could come up with that you would have only a 14 day course of treatment. Antibiotics? Most drs will also treat ulcers with nexium or some such drug for a period of time, until the ulcer(s) heal. The antibiotics take care of the infection only. H-pyloria? Is that it? I can't remember. But definitely no NSAIDS for you! I have not had an ulcer - only almost to that point - erosion and ulcerated areas. I never, ever take NSAIDS.

Tina, no infection. I was on 14 days of meds to take for the stomach. Pepcid and another one which the name slips my mind. Omaprazole? If it comes back again I'll get on the antibiotic.

I'm positive it was caused by Ibuprophen. About tens years ago after I took 2 pills, my stomach started killing me. When I threw up it stopped. I have chronic headaches and sometimes a bad neck, so I would take Ibuprophen twice a day. Once in a blue moon I'd get that sick to the stomach feeling, but not often until I woke up with pain in the early morning hours a few weeks ago.

I won't touch the stuff again! lol

Mimi, I read that no one knows for certain what causes PF, although the thinking is it's hereditary. If they don't know the cause then why therapy?

Not Mimi, but because just like other treatments - it can/may help! I've never heard of the hereditary factor. I can say that neither of hubby's parents have had it.

That's what I meant Oak. I have never heard of just a 2-week treatment of Pepsid/Omaprozole (I have taken that one). And don't take the antibiotic without being tested for the infection. Did they do an upper scope? I'm assuming since you knew where it was located from your hernia, they did. If so, they should have done biopsies to determine if you had the H-Pyloria. If not, no need for antibiotics. I believe there is also a breath test. Ha, can you tell I've been through this before???