How Did THAT Happen?

Michelle at Boulderneigh asked how on earth I could get plantar fasciitis. That's a fair question, and since someone else might be wondering the same thing, I thought I would answer it here.

I've been dealing with the heel pain for probably 5 or 6 months, thinking that it was going to go away, and walking less and less because it was huring more and more - so, clearly, it wasn't going away. I made an appointment about three weeks ago (took me that long to get in) and I finally got to the doctor yesterday. I walk alot, and I do have the right shoes and socks, but shoes wear out. I waited probably a little too long to get new ones and I was using an older pair to walk to and from work every day - not a good idea. Additionally, and probably most importantly, I wasn't stretching enough before and after working out.

My current favorite shoes are my Adidas Supernova. They are pretty hideous, but they are amazing on my feet. :-)

I'm going to be fine - for the next two weeks I have to take substantial amounts of Advil (the wonder drug of the 1980's), and stretch like a maniac. I also have to get liners for all my shoes except my Dansko Professionals (they already have great support). Just doing these things for one day has already made a huge difference in my pain level. I've already set the intention that these treatments are going to be the ticket for me because I'm not interested in the next level (which would include cortisone shots and night splints). And based on my progress just since yesterday (I could get up this morning and walk to the bathroom without heel agony), I know I'm going to be fine.

I just need to be more vigilant and take even better care of myself than I already do :-)

Comments

Bethany (yarnorgy) said…
OMG! I have been suffering with this pain for the past 3 months! I also have been hoping it would just go away. Ugh! I think it started because of wearing 'flip-flops'! When I called the podiatrist office they said the waiting list was loooong. Oooooh! I'll be watching to see how you do with this. I thought for sure I would have to have a cortisone injection but now I'm hopeful!
Michelle said…
Tsk, tsk; I would have thought you knew better than to use worn-out shoes! I'm sure sorry that it got you, though. I have a friend with plantar fasciitis who wears only Danskos (and I mean ONLY Danskos!) because they are the only shoes that let her walk pain-free. I don't have any problems with heel pain, but both Rick and I have pain in the balls of our feet (me in only one), which may be interdigital neuroma. But the Keen shoes I've started to collect keep me pain-free, so now I'm shopping for some to jog in.

So glad you are getting fast results with the drugs, liners and stretching!
Linda said…
My ex-husband had this and did wear a night brace for a while to clear it up. He wasn't a walker or runner, though. So it seemed strange that he had this happen to him. He didn't need to get cortisone shots, at least.

Our bodies can have such strange ways of alerting us to problems. One of the ways I know I need to adjust my thyroid meds is that my feet start to hurt. When I get up in the AM they are stiff and I hobble. Once my meds are at the right level this goes away. Very strange!
Darth Knitter said…
The night brace helps a lot, and if you don't want to spend the moolah on one especially for the heel spurs, then just use an Ace bandage to make sure you're not flexing your foot. Good luck; I know from experience how badly it hurts.
Kris said…
At least you know the cause of the pain and fix it. I think I have the same issue. It doesn't hurt all the time but there are times when I don't want to walk. Thanks for posting this!
Knittinggarden said…
Glad you're feeling better already, Adrienne. You don't want that foot pain to hinder your spinning now, do you?

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