Author Topic: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?  (Read 2073 times)

bsociable2

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Hi Everyone,

I suffer from plantar fasciitis (sharp pain in heels whilst standing and walking) but I love walking and I'm "NOT" giving in to it. I'm not one for walking up mountains but I do enjoy a trek through the woods or along the canal with my dogs. I'm turning into a bit of a couch potato due to the plantar fasciitis so have decided I need to get off my bum and try to push through the pain. I tried walking in trainers but my feet are very painful when I get home so wondered if anyone could recommend any walking footwear manufacturers that specialise in shock absorbing footwear (sorry that's the only way I could think of describing what I'm looking for). I tried those insert thingys you can put in your footwear but they don't help.

Thank you to anyone that replies x

Kate

jimbob

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #1 on: 18:38:09, 26/04/16 »
Have a look at Brooks Addictive Walkers. They certainly help the PF , I couldn't even walk a mile when it was at its worst but these shoes properly sized and fitted do the business. After the PF eased off  I use Superfeet insoles.

Try doing the exercises for this complaint, they do work, freely available via Google.
« Last Edit: 18:44:56, 26/04/16 by jimbob »
Too little, too late, too bad......

Mel

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #2 on: 18:41:19, 26/04/16 »
Hi Kate
 
I'm assuming you've sought the advice of a doctor first and foremost.
 
You mention you've tried trainers?  Are they "fashion" trainers or proper sports trainers?  (Fashion trainers are just that - for fashion; sports trainers provide much more support/cushioning).  I'd suggest going to a running shop and picking their brains - ideally find a shop which has a gait machine or at least staff who know their sport rather than sales(wo)men flogging a product.
 
Other things to try is, after a walk, rest your heel on an ice pack for 15 mins to reduce the inflammation (the inflammation isn't always visible but that's what the tender/pain feeling is), followed by gentle ankle rotations to stretch and loosen the newly un-inflamed tendon.
 
I'm a bit concerned about your comment about "pushing through the pain" as this could cause longer term or permanent damage, so listen to your body.
 
Personally, I've found rest, gentle stretches/foot flexes and rotations and ice packs get the best results.  Try doing the flexes and rotations BEFORE you get out of bed in a morning and before you put any pressure on your foot/feet - particularly if you suffer with "get up and hobble to the bathroom" symptoms.
 
Hope that helps.
Mel

philgale

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #3 on: 20:45:51, 26/04/16 »
Hi. I had plantar fasciitis for several months. So bad some mornings I thought I was going to end up on crutches. I eventually went to Sub-4 in Stoke-on-Trent and after an assessment had a pair of insoles made for me. They worked so well for me, no pain now for over two years. Would definitely suggest contacting them.
Sub-4.co.uk or 01782551698
Phil

bsociable2

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #4 on: 21:24:34, 26/04/16 »
A massive thank you to you all for your advice and support. It's nice to feel not so alone though I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.  I've had PF just over two years now and continue to do all the stretches and exercises as recommended by physio. I have bottles of water in the freezer to roll my feet on when bad. Sub 4 looks amazing but Stoke on Trent  is a bit far for me to travel to from London but it has me wondering what there is in comparison in this area so thanks for the info. I always worry about going into a sports shop and asking for advice. Around here they seem to be run by kids who wouldn't have a clue what I needed lol. Brooks also looks interesting so will look into that further thank you.

youradvocate

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #5 on: 11:54:42, 27/04/16 »
When I go into a sports shop I jot down my criteria on a piece of paper so I do not get sidetracked by salesmen and women. I then use the list to make sure that 'I stay in charge' and not them! Then I go on the internet to compare the prices that they quote. I find they usually they bump the prices up because their USP is to suggest that they are specialists, not just a shop who sell trainers!

In my book they are shops that sell trainers, sports or otherwise, they just do it with a bit more savvy, use a few longer words and offer a personal service, which is nice rather than wading through piles and piles of boxes as are expected of us in Nike and Adidas shops. Our local 'specialised' sports shop is very good and the staff know their stuff and how to talk to their customers. If I decide to buy I will always ask them to price match, if not I buy on line.

bsociable2

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #6 on: 13:30:02, 27/04/16 »
Thank you for replying.

When I say sports shops I mean the high street shops like JD Sports/Sports Direct. Is this the type of place you go? What kind of things would you ask for as I think I'd just ask for something with shock absorbers lol.

Slogger

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #7 on: 16:06:03, 27/04/16 »
Ive had PF for more than 3 years now, but seldom feel it anymore other than the occasional 'bruised' heel feeling. I tried all sorts including3 pairs of custom orthotics. Only the last pair and one of the cheapest in fact made any difference. It is supposed to burn itself out in 18 months to 2 years before it improves. In my case it was around the 2.5 year point.
Regarding shoes, no matter what is the true cause of your PF, whether it is over pronating (Most common cause) or in my case over supination, your shoes need to be specifically 'well cushioned' rather than supportive. To me the best advice I was given was to go for a 'Neutral' well cushioned shoe, then remove the footbed and insert a specific footbed or custom orthotic according to your bio-mechanical requirements. Works for me!

Iggy63

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #8 on: 17:31:34, 27/04/16 »
Plantar Fascia problems need to be attacked from 2 angles.
The first is to attack what is causing the PF in the first place. It is usually caused by poor biomechanics, most likely (as Slogger has already said) pronation (rotation of the foot inwards, like Elvis' wobbly leg dancing) or, more unusually, supination (rotation of the foot outwards). Quite often people also develop Achilles Tendon problems, knee problems and hip problems; after all, the whole posterior chain is ultimately one connected unit. Attacking the cause means correcting the poor biomechanics. Previous replies have touched on the use of orthotic inserts - these need not be £500 jobs from specialist foot clinics - relatively inexpensive inserts such as Superfeet will almost certainly do the same job but its important to make sure they address the appropriate problem. An insert for people who supinate will be worse than useless for people who over pronate, for example.
The second 'attack' is on the trauma itself. The Plantar Fascia is a ligament and as such is relatively poorly supplied with blood compared to, say muscle. This is why muscles take days to weeks to repair and ligaments take months to years. It is important to do as many things as possible to promote healing. These include: lots of ice, anti inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen (however, please take a doctor's advice on any medication), stretching at every available opportunity (a plastic night cast to hold your foot in a stretch position works well if you can afford it and if you can put up with the faff), elevation wherever possible, rest wherever possible and massage (the rolling pin being particularly useful). The latter will hurt quite a lot.
I really feel for you as it is a really debilitating condition but be rest assured that, although it will almost certainly takes months and months to recover, recover you will, providing you attack the cause AND the symptoms. Best of luck.

jenbeale82

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Re: Foot Problem - Footware Recommendations Please?
« Reply #9 on: 21:31:29, 28/04/16 »
I had really bad PF for a few years, when I had to wear safety shoes for work. Some days I would literally fall over with pain after getting out of bed in the morning. Night time I found was the worst, as the pain would stop me from sleeping. Wearing walking boots, always made the pain better so really search for a good brand. I also found buying a foot massager was a god send.

 

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