Is it the same as what used to be called plantars warts?? (Feet)

I don't think so--it's heel pain. It hurts (bad) when I walk. It seems to be a tendon-connective issue. Thank you for the quick reply.

No Mama, plantars warts is something different. This is when the bottom of your foot and heel hurt when you walk.

Always wear shoes, soft ones. Never walk on hard floors barefoot. Do not stand barefoot in the shower, cushion the bad foot with a folded wash cloth. If up at night, wear soft slippers.

What helped me the most was a couple sessions with a therapeutic masseuse. You can even gently massage yourself too.

I had it several months, walking on crutches with a broken leg and the other foot with PF. It was a tough time.

Good luck. Glad you are going to the doctor. The doctor gave me a soft heel cup, but that made it worse for me. Do some internet searches and maybe even youtube to get other ideas on helping yourself. When you are well, take time to keep the backs of your legs and feet stretched out so it doesn't happen again. Sorry you have this.

I had it when I used to play a lot of tennis. My podiatrist made a custom molded insert for my shoes and that really helped - that and I went back to playing on clay. It went away after a few months. My pain wasn't in the heel it was on the bottom of my foot along the arch.

My worst bout with it ten years ago took about 12 months to heal. I learned to never walk barefoot which I used to do most of the time and to wear shoes with a heel cushion insert and good arch support. I didn't have a problem again until recently.

NSAIDs can usually give you temporary relief for the pain, but they aren't good for anyone to take long term. There are stretches you can do to help the situation.

No, MamaP, not the same at all as Plantar warts.

it is caused by the tendon on the bottom of the foot being inflamed.

Annegriet have you tried shoe inserts yet? Go to a sports store like one that specializes in running and get fitted for Super Feet. That is the brand name. Wear them in running or tennis shoes. Do not wear flip flops or any other non supportive shoe as they will only make the problem worse.

You can also try stretching your toes, especially before you get out of bed in the morning. There are many ways to do this but mostly you can do it by pulling your toes back and then bending them forward. Then spread your toes as much as you can to exercise your feet. Also rolling your foot arch over a stiff ball like a tennis ball can provide some relief.

Some people will get a shot, but this is not always recommended. How long have you had the pain? Days? Weeks?

Ill see if I can find an article I saved a few years back.

Thank you all for explaining.

I feel for you. I had plantar fascitiis last summer for a span of about 8 weeks, and yes it hurts. Orthotic inner soles helped. I used Dr. Scholl's heel inserts while I waited for the custom ones that the foot doctor ordered. She also showed me some stretching exercises that alleviated the pain over time.

I have a couple of foot / ankle issues. Massage & stretching is mentioned above - it was recommended to me to roll around either a tennis or golf ball under the foot, or roll a frozen bottle of water back and forth under the foot. Shoes or inserts with good arch support and a heel cup should help. I have custom insoles I wear in some shoes, but that's obviously more difficult with sandals in the summertime. I've had EXCELLENT luck with the Vionic brand of shoes - you wouldn't believe they could make supportive flip flops, but they do. They've been a game changer for me. Check out the styles in their "Tide" line. In the summer I always have a pair on around the house, and also have their slippers (not quite as supportive but not bad).

Vionic 'Tide'

Never walk barefoot and wear shoes with excellent arch support.

Unique treatment: Had patient get hers under control by sleeping in shoes with arch support for 2 weeks. She discovered the method when she fell asleep one night wearing shoes, and the next AM woke with no pain - first AM in weeks she had no foot pain. The next night she slept without shoes, not realizing the relationship, and the pain returned. The following night wore shoes - no pain.

Find Birkenstock footbeds often work as good, if not better, than Rx ones and less expensive. Available in many sizes with narrow, medium, and wide widths. Also on eBay with significant savings.

https://www.birkenstock.com/us/the-blue-footbed-tradition-/fussbetttradition-insole-0-0-00-u.html?dwvar_fussbetttradition-insole-0-0-00-u_color=1105#start=1

More info:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354846

I haven't, but my walking buddy did. He did several things. His niece is a PT, and she talked him through how to tape it with KT tape. You can find it on youtube. He did that for several weeks. He also never went barefoot, even if he got up in the night to go to the bathroom. He always wore good support shoes, like his walking/running shoes.

He had it for maybe 8 weeks, then it went away and never came back.

I suffered it for a number of years, then a friend suggested Dansko clogs. I bought a pair as a last ditch effort before scheduling surgery. They were life changing. Within two weeks I noticed a vast improvement. I guess there’s a reason I see so many doctors and nurses wearing them. If you choose to give them a try, I suggest you find a local The Walking Company. They specialize in comfort footwear. Danskos are handmade, so each shoe may fit a little differently. And the Danskos themselves fit differently than other shoes do. The Walking Company will allow you to try a number of pairs to find the perfect fit.

Friend had it and for home remedy she was told to massage the bottom of her foot gently by rolling it around on top of a tennis ball. She said it really helped soothe the inflamed tissue.

Dees is the expert here according to my experiences and info from the doctor. Throw out all you sandals that do not have a good arch support. He told me that podiatrists consider the summer sandal season a huge earning period for their profession. Since I threw out all my sandals without arch support and bought good ones, I have not had that problem. I also never wore scuffs/slippers during recuperation. I used my roomy, wide, genuine Crocs and did the stair exercise. Hold onto the railing as you stand on the bottom step of your staircase. Balance at the edge of the step on your toes and the balls of your feet and drop your heel down low. Hold it 30 seconds. Repeat a few times.

I had it for a while and it hurt like the dickens. I stretched kind of like dees above: first thing in the morning, in the bathroom, slide the foot down the outside of the bathtub till the toes are still vertical and flat against the tub but most of the foot is horizontal on the floor. Sort of a 90 degree angle. Stretch the foot till it hurts so good, keeping the toes against the tub, and hold it there for a minute or so. Each day stretch the foot further and further till you get the tendons stretched back out.

BIL came home from Europe with it a couple of years ago. He tried to pack lightly. Size 15 1/2 feet means a minimum of shoes taking up suitcase space and he did lots of walking in Teva sandals. He was miserable. He did physical therapy for a few weeks. One exercise I remember him doing at home was freezing a bottle of water (about the 16 oz size), wrapping it in a face towel secured, and rolling it back and forth on the floor under his foot several times a day. It was finally resolved, and he no longer wears the sandals ;0) His PT said he wasn't the first to come in with the sandal syndrome.

I've had a couple of bouts of PF. My podiatrist recommends certain brands of shoes such as Clark’s, Avia, New Balance. You still have to check that the soles are stiff enough. He also recommended over the counter inserts, Pro Steps, which I’ve been wearing for several years and have helped tremendously when I wear them.

My son had this when he was just 12 years old. Took them more than 6 months to diagnose it as 12 year olds are not supposed to have this! A course of prednisone for the inflammation and orthotics for arch support solved the problem. Now at age 48, he still wears orthotics in his shoes. He has always had the flattest feet I've ever seen in my life!

I developed it also about 20 years ago of so. Again, orthotics made the difference. One must have an arch support for this to heal. And then continue wearing it.

Like others have said-shoes on the moment you step out of bed and keep them on all day. The only ones that seemed to help me were crocs clogs. My sister developed it a couple of years ago and was in agony. I said get the crocs! She did and it helped so much.

One of my former bosses had PF and she was unable to walk at all for weeks. Everyone else said it well, supportive shoes always and frozen water bottles and tennis balls to exercise the arches was the fix for her.

Tennis balls are what I use. I get it occasionally. I find that wearing Nike Air is the only running shoe that helps and it has to be AIR. I guess there's more support. Re: sandals I wear nothing but Birkenstocks and I've walked around NYC with my daughter for 13 miles last year wearing them and my feet felt fine afterward.

I know everyone's experience is unique, but Birkenstocks don't provide nearly enough arch support for me. Neither do Dansko or Clark's. Serious support (ie: what's found in actual orthotic shoes) isn't commonly found in most 'everyday' brand shoes. Besides the Vionics I mentioned above, the only other brands I've had any luck at all with are Naot and Wolky - and even those I wouldn't wear for an extended period of time. One brand my podiatrist mentioned was Alegria, which my mom likes, but I don't find their styling attractive.

Unfortunately, most of these brands we're all talking about aren't cheap, and going through trial & error to find what might work for you can be expensive. I will mention that Vionic provides a 30-day wear guarantee - - wear them for 30 days and if they don't help - send them back.

I was so miserable with it. What finally helped me was getting a GOOD pair of walking shoes (from an actual shoe store that knew what kind of shoes helped what condition, mine are New Balance), I always wear Crocs in the house.

And I joined a gym, and the stationary bike is what really helped me. I think it probably stretched the tendons out. I hope I never have it again.

My recommendation: The Good Feet Store.

Good Feet

I had great success with taping my feet. Using a heavy athletic tape. You can find a video on U Tube. My took about a year to be completely gone.

I had it 3 summers ago. About crippled me. I started with insoles with arch support and a cupped heel from walmart in shoes. Worked, but here's what started it for me. I have high arches and was wearing plain flat flip flops to work in yard all summer. Can't do that ! Not wanting to give up flip flops I got a couple pair of Vionics, and never a problem since. Try the cheaper route first, Good Feet is expensive and should be a last effort.

https://www.vionicshoes.com/

This is the link to a video I mentioned above.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tNPfbB2sX5Q

I've had it many times. Once I had it in both feet at the same time, which according to Mayo is very rare. That time I had it for a whole year. Tried everything. Orthotics, exercises, etc. The one thing that helped me (and I found out quite by accident) was to wear heels. I now have what I call my plantar fasciitis shoes. They are old and I'm sure stylish when I bought them, but I think they're ugly now. I will never get rid of them! They are just a sturdy pair of shoes with a block heel about an 1 1/2" - 2". When I had it real bad, I wore them from the time I got up in the morning until I went to bed at night. In two weeks, the pain was gone. Now, whenever I feel that tendon in my foot tightening up, I put the shoes on and in a day or two I'm fine. I think wearing the heels does two things. It puts the weight on the ball of your foot instead of the heel, and it stretches that tendon. I am a barefoot person. never wear shoes in the house. Going barefoot or wearing sandals with no support is the worse thing you can do, but I'm battling 80 years of habit. I don't think you'll get this advice from a doctor. :-)))

If you have a pair of low heels, try it. What do you have to lose.

Wow--thanks for all the very good advice. I went to a good shoe store today and got birckentstocks--i did the tennis ball and stretching. Thank you everyone.

I had it and it took 9 full months to go away. I tried a lot of things but had the sense that it just took its sweet time. The best relief I got was in doing the following: rolling the foot on a rolling pin, keeping my heel firmly pressed down in the toe clips in 3x week spinning classes, and standing at the sink and rising slowly up to my toes and slowly down, over and over.

Annegriet, If you bought shoes (vs footbed inserts), please post if they helped. (My patients all used inserts.) Thank you.

I have had plantar fasciitis for a year. I think I have finally turned the corner. Here is what I have learned, some of it already advised:

1. Stretch

2. Ice frequently

3. Rest as much as possible

4. Wear a plantar Fasciitis Night Splint to bed every night (available on Amazon and other vendors) It is cumbersome but you will get used to it.

5. Consider a Physical Therapist who will work on tight muscles, perhaps give you ultrasound treatments and provide specific stretches.

6. Therapeutic massage (not covered by insurance, but helpful as a supplement to PT).

7. Wear a compression sock when you can.

8. Shoe inserts and I put a gel pad under my heal.

Depending on how long you have been suffering (and I mean SUFFERING) you will need to be patient. If you start to feel better that is great but do not assume you can resume your normal activities. Go slowly. Good luck.

I agree with justretired. here's a link to the splint I used. It seems awkward, but it really helped. Keeps your foot stretched while you sleep. Now my dh uses it. I know flip flops are terrible for your feet, but I can't help myself. Well, I guess I don't know how to copy and past a link here. Go to amazon and search Plantar Factitious Night Splint by Vive. Inexpensive and works!

I have it right now. I had it many years ago and I bought a shoe insert called super feet from a running shoe store. That helped along with stretching and staying off of it. I need to read over this thread and pick up a few more tips. I thought I might have a bone spur and I was relieved when I realized it was plantar fasciitis, at least there's no surgery involved. Last time it lasted about 3 months.

I've dealt with it for 14 years in both feet with pain in the heel and arch. I didn't see these stretches mentioned above so here goes: before you get out of bed, rotate your ankles around in circles clockwise several times and then counter-clock wise. Another one is to bend your knees, with feet flat on the mattress then lift your toes off the mattress as high as you can. I had a BF that would give me amazing foot massages, putting pressure on the knot I had in the arch of my foot. It hurt so good. I use Rx orthotics. I have a few pair of sandals I can wear, Teva Tirra and Olukia O'hana. As someone else mentioned, it's trial and error. Still is for me. I went to a large shoe store last week to try on different brands. Came home empty handed. Hope you get relief.

For those of you looking for comfortable 'flip flops' - these are the Vionic Tide II. They have a moulded footbed so your heel sits down in a cup and there is excellent arch support. Lots of cute colors & various styles - ie: Tide Sport, Tide Sequins, etc.

I tried these on and yes, the arch support is great. The toe post cut into my toe though. If it was just a smidge more toward the toe it'd be perfect. Sizing up didn't work as the arch didn't hit in the right place. I tried the High Tide also. The toe post worked better for me on that one but I was undecided because of the higher heel. Someone posted that worked for them, I might give it a try yet.

It’s surprising how painful it is! I think the key is keeping the shoes on ALL the time except for bathing and sleeping. The crocs clogs were the only shoe I could find that was comfortable. If you don’t like the looks of them, try wearing them just in the house and the flip flops out of the house. During that time I bought a pair of drug store inserts for an upcoming day at Disney. I tested them in sneakers beforehand. Nope nope nope! I wore the crocs that day. Didn’t really have a problem with all that walking although I’m sure it wasn’t a good idea!

I had it for about 2 yrs, Very painful. Dr. wrapped my foot so I could walk. Stretch your feet before getting out of bed, ice when needed. I got the orthotics but I don't think it helped much. go to heelspurs.com for a pile of information. read all you can. I used "superfeet" inserts for a long time.

I've had it twice -- once from training for a half-marathon in worn out shoes, the last time from walking and working (standing all day) on a foot with 2 broken toes.

It isn't a heel problem at all and has nothing to do with heel or bone "spurs". It is an inflammation of the tough connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, and the inflammation sets it up to be tight and painful.

Here is what I learned to not do: don't let a chiropractor take a hard instrument to it -- yes it will produce a temporary relief of pain, but also perpetuates the injury leading to longer recovery if not permanent damage to the supporting structure.

I went to a PT the first time, got it taped, exercises, orthotics. Minimal help. What did help the first time was buying those gel heel pads and placing them under the arch of the foot (not the heel!); getting a tennis ball and standing on it several times a day (yes that hurts but it is effective) then rolling it front and back; doing heel & calf stretches either on the stairs and/or with a towel; and taking the maximum safe dose of ibuprofen for the maximum recommended number of days -- I could do this because I was on no other meds, and had no other health issues. Don't do that without your MD's supervision and approval! And, I went to a running store, had my foot scanned, and got shoes that were correct for my stride and arch.

The second time was when I made the chiropractor mistake, because it wasn't clearing up with the methods from the first time (probably because the aggravating cause had gone on for much longer, foolish me). Shoe inserts helped, but it just wouldn't go away. I would be okay at work, but as soon as I sat for a few minutes (like at lunch, or driving home) the foot would seize up and I would be limping. What finally worked then, besides the other methods, was borrowing an immobilizer boot from a co-worker and wearing that whenever I wasn't at work -- even at night. That works because it keeps the connective tissues stretched into proper position. The socks and splints that you can buy over the internet or in a drugstore all work on the same principal. And it helped within just a few days!

I disagree about the chiropractor. I had it about 4 years ago. I had finally started to do some walking everyday. One day it happened I had to quit doing the daily walking. I was in Michigan and I waited until I got back to SD. We have a really good chiropractor 80 miles from us. I went to him and they took an Xray. I think they used ultrasound on it first, Then the chiropractor came in and used a pumice like stone, about the size of a tongue depressor on it. He just scraped it up and down on it for a while. He told me to sit on a chair and write the alphabet with my foot in the air a few times a day. I found it was easier to do cursive then printing and I think you get more stretch and movement that way. I did this and went back to see him 2 or 3 more times. I have not had any problems with it since. My pain was in the instep and not in the heel. He also gave me a ridged rubber roller to roll my foot on. I think he also gave me insoles. I walk barefoot all the time now in the house and I don't have any problems. I also wear flip flops from Walmart that have a higher heel on them and sparkly straps. I think I paid 10.00 for them 4 or 5 years ago. I can't walk long distances in them. I haven't been able to wear the really thin flip flops since I was a kid and we called them thongs. I remember how cheap they were made then and the strap would always pull out between the toes and then we would have to put one of the flat plastic bread closures on the bottom so we could still wear them. A few years ago I was working with a lady whos son had that problem and I gave her one for his flip flop and they couldn't believe it would work.