Help, anyone w/ PF knowledge? (sorry, long)

F

fitfoxie

Active Member
Hello I'm sorry this is so long, but I'm just really confused right now and needed some advice:
Just recently I was diagnosed w/ PF in my right foot. However, I caught it very early and saw a poditrist (sp?) who taped up my foot and recommended no impact other then walking or cycling for at least 7-10 days. He also wanted me to lay off of anything but upperbody weights for about 3 days initially to let it heal up. I did only stick to weights (upper body) for a few days and then just have been doing spinning only. I also tried about 20 min.s of extremely low impact cardio just to test the waters. A week later went back for my re-check and my foot was feeling much better, he taped it up again and said from that point to lay off for another ten days. I mentioned cycling which he said was probably okay, but that he really thought I should just stick with upper body. Of all things that same day, later my other foot starts hurting just like the first, so I tended to it as I had w/ the other one (ice, advil) The next day I just did cycling this time on a seated upright so I would be really careful, but I worked at a one time demo job as a favor for someone which I was literally standing for the rest of the day. Oh my goodness was I in pain at the end of the day, I almost couldn't walk due to the excruciating pain in both my feet although more in the left. x( I literally called my DH in tears and asked him to buy epsom salts so I could soak. Needless to say I didn't work out again other then upper body for three days. So the last few days I've been sticking w/ spinning. Today,b/c my other foot was still not right, I saw a different dr. (same office but my original dr. was gone) who had a completely different take on things. He taped up my other foot and when I asked him about exercise he said I could do anything I wanted. Run, jump whatever made me happy. He said the pain would pretty much be there either way, and he recommended stretching my calves regularly and the shot if it got worse, but when I get my orthotics that would really take care of it. Of course this was music to my ears, as I was literally dreaming of Cathe step/running, but now I'm not sure on all this conflicting information. Again sorry this is so terribly long I just wanted to know what you guys thought.... Thanks so much, Lisa
 
Hi, I have suffered on and off with PF for years. Here's what I've been told or learned: I would stick with Doc #1 advice. Running or any impact will make your foot hurt more (or at least mine!), rolling your foot on a tennis ball or even better a frozen water bottle will help, ibuprofen will help, wear shoes ALL the time - not the cute little pumps, either. I wear either sneakers or birks around the house all the time. Stretching is helpful and should be continued after the pain leaves. There are some good websites on this. I know you mentioned your foot being taped - if it isn't you can stretch your toes up before getting out of bed. It will probably reoccur at some point.

That's all I can remember off hand. When it is not in an acute stage, I can do step, etc., but walking will make my feet hurt every time! You can probably find a lot of threads over at video fitness. That's where I found some good stretching info awhile back.

Good luck and don't push it! Let your foot heal.
Marnie
 
Thanks Marnie,
Yes I already posted this at VF, there are some wonderfully helpful people there who also have PF and have given me tips. I have been doing the frozen water bottle (and boy does it help!) but the second dr. mentioned that I should make sure I really press hard and massage my foot when I roll it. Right now since my foot is taped I will try the tennis ball in lieu of the water bottle. So, this is something you've had for years? I'm guessing then that even if it heals it never fully goes away? Wow, don't like the sound of that but at least it can be kept under control. I'm learning about the barefoot thing, but I have to keep reminding myself. Thanks again, Lisa
 
Lisa,
My mom had PF a few years ago. She had to keep her foot wrapped and stay off it for a week. Her podiatrist also recommended a sneaker with a cushioned heel to give slight elevation - no bare feet!

Everyone's case is different...but based on my experience with injuries, I would say listen closely to your body & err on the side of caution. If the second foot started giving you problems, that tells you something...you probably need more rest. If it were me, I would stick with the 1st doc's advice at least until the orthotics come through.

Good luck!
Cathy
 
Yep, I've had PF also!! I am a runner so mine has been more from the running/ impact on my feet. I went to the podiatrist also & he told me that I could run through it as long as it was just a light pain, nothing stabbing or really bad. Mine was really painful closer to my heels, I was hobbling out of bed like an old woman for a while (and I'm only 29!). I got some inserts for my shoes from the podiatrist which helped a lot along w/ Naproxen (or Advil), and like someone else suggested the frozen water bottle or I use my dd's super bouncy ball to really rub the bottoms of my feet. Also wearing tennis shoes constantly for about a month helped. Now I wear sandals & flip flops for around the house/ yard but tennis shoes if I'm going to be walking for a while.

I never laid off from the running (I'm training for a marathon). It seemed that once I got going mine was fine (the tendon would get warm & stretch out a bit). And stretching my calves/ hamstrings really well helped also.

Good luck & I hope it's feeling better soon!!!

Hugs,
 
One thing that helped me a lot was a trip to the PT. she made a night splint for me. It keeps the tendon stretched out. I used it for a nunber of months and still have it, just in case. that, along with taping (which I still do) worked wonders. In the initial stages I was taking lots of ibuprofen, doing the water bottle thing, etc. BTW, although I know that barefeet is a no-no, I am now able to do that! I'm pretty careful about my shoes, though, Dansko, Merrel. Oh and here's a crazy idea from my Dad, but it works: once you're pretty well healed, in your shoes, you can cut a square of mole foam about 1" x 1" and place it in your shoes right under the arch where you need support. I can wear all of my shoes now! HTH
 
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