Anyone suffered with planta facsiitis??

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Scaty_Bird

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Hi all,

I've been really suffering with poorly feet (mine not the horses!) for over a year now - I've been told it's planta fasciitis - anyone ever had this? I would like to hear if anyone has had this and if you have any tips on how you coped round the yard and most importantly did you carry on riding??? It affects me mainly in the arches of my feet rather than the heel.

Thanks
 
Yeah I have it - it doesn't affect my riding to be honest but it does affect me when I have been sitting for a long time or when I am just getting up in the morning - I keep a rolling pin at the side of my bed and roll my feet over it for a few mins before I get up, as those first dozen or so steps are agony in the morning. Shoe inserts didn't help me, they just annoyed me - its important to stretch the bottom of the feet out so stretching up on to the balls of your feet will help too if you are sitting a lot
 
Yes, me, flippin agony. I tried firm massage with your thumbs, rolling a cold drink can under the arches and heel lifts standing on the bottom of the stairs all helped. I didnt try inserts but believe they do help lots of people.
 
I had this, shoe inserts did not help nor did steroid injections. Eventually the consultant at the hospital put my foot in plaster for 6 weeks. This did the trick and I have very little trouble from it now.
 
Me as well.....didnt realise it was so common. Ive had it for about 5 years now, i went to the doctors when it originally started hurting & was told it was cramp, which i knew it wasnt. I went back to the doctors about a year ago & finally got it diagnosed properly. At the moment im going through a good spell where its not so painful, but generally i have extreme pain when i stand after sitting & when i get up first thing in the morning, its horrible. I havnt really found anything helps with the pain, but it hasnt, thankfully, affected my riding & once im up & about the pain recedes & i dont have any problems.
 
thanks all, wasn't expecting anyone to reply as it's so random!

I've tried everything - insoles, anti-inflams, stretching, massage, can't have cortisone as it's not localised in my heel blah, blah - I get bored of listening to myself go on about it now lol

I've been advised to not stand in my stirrups when I ride so it's no stirrups for me - only problem is the stiffness the next day makes stretching painful! Wondering if not riding is actually making it worse as the stretch is similar to the position when you ride??
 
I have had it but was very overweight at the time following broken back, pregnancy and c-section in a short space of time. I went on weight watchers (so many reasons to lose the weight) and lost almost 3 stone and am now back to a healthy weight, it basically eased off as I lost weight and I have not experienced any symptoms since being back at my normal weight.

Before I went on the diet I did mention in passing to my osteopath I was having problems and he tried using some laser treatment which did help a bit.
 
I had it briefly on waking, just walking the first half dozen steps and jsut happened to mention it when my MIL was staying (a podiatrist) so she recommended good support and cushioning which did the trick. I started to wear my Ariats and Clarks cushioned shoes and anything which was worn down at the heel got chucked. I didn't go down the route of insoles etc... but they can be needed to correct how you walk. Think remedial farriery for humans!!!! :D

I also found this website helpful for info

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/plantar-fasciitis
 
Mine was worst if I needed to get up in the night (frequently with a newborn!) Riding I generally found ok except if I'd been on for long periods or in the very cold, if it was stiff I would take my feet out of the stirrups and circle my ankles round for a bit to get it moving.
 
Yes I've had this and its very painful. I eventually had steroid injections which is one of the most painful things I've ever had done but it did work. Don't know if I'd ever have the injections again....now I know what to expect!
 
Yes awful thing so sore.
Insoles helped me I have the over the counter sort and ones made by the podiaist , I need to wear the proper ones at least one hour each day to keep it at bay.
However the thing that settled it at first was breaking my leg and spending three months in bed most of the time ( every cloud does have a silver lining ) not much help I know .
 
Me too. I've found certain shoes exacerbate it so avoid wherever possible. Doesn't affect my riding but have been in agony after a long day slogging about in wellies when it's too muddy to allow any other sort of footwear - however new wellies seem much more supportive and it's easing off.
I first had it ten years ago and was prescribed high doses of ibuprofen. It cured it and then I've had nothing until last spring when it flared up again. However, it's starting to ease now so I'm keeping everything crossed. I'm not taking ibuprofen this time and the doctor said that riding is probably a great exercise for it as you are stretching your foot more or less continually.
Good luck - it is a pain (literally and metaphorically)!
ETA - I'm using flexible stirrups as suggested above
 
Never thought about flexi stirrups - makes perfect sense though - will do some research. I can't bare the thought of not riding my horse for much longer and no stirrups everytime is painful on a bouncy beast!
 
I had it for about 2 years. Best exercise, given to me by foot health practitioner, was to stand on a step on the ball of your foot and lower your weight into heel - you will feel the hamstring of the affected foot pull much more than the other one. Keep doing this exercise religiously as many times a day as you possibly can. Mine started to improve as soon as I did this and it was also helped by my chiropracter who used a very strong vibrating massage machine on the heel - it was not very comfortable but really helped.

One day I just realised that it had gone. I still do the exercises every day - I never want it back!!
 
I have this and mine is also in arch of my foot rather then the heel! I'm in immense pain first thing in the morning and when I have been say down to long! Hospital told me to wait it out and it will get worse before it gets better!

I don't have a problem when riding.
 
Physio and shoe insoles sorted it for me, it hurt like hell when he treated it and thankfully didn't mind me swearing at him, but compared to what I've header about the injections it was worth it! Physio told me to use ibuprofen cream/gel directly onto it istead of the tablets and roll a cold golf ball under my foot if it started again and (touch wood) that's kept it under control..When it first came on I couldn't put my foot down at all, it was agony. Also said to avoid high heels or totally flat shoes & that helped too.
 
Mine doesn't hurt when I'm riding but does when I'm driving. Must be something to do with the height of the peddle. Mine is in my arches and heels. I have it in both, but one more than the other. I'm in agony some days. I've only tried the insoles which did help, but not for long. I'm definitely going to try the step exercise.
 
I went through over a year of agony but its eased right off now thank goodness

I use insoles and have thrown away the shoes that caused me any problems

If it starts to flare up I do my very best not to let it take hold again so will rest up, avoid sitting for long periods etc... if I can nip it in the bud its faded again within a day or so

I no longer ride so cant comment on that I'm afraid

I do find this stuff awesome on those days when getting out of bed is hard

https://www.halfpriceperfumes.co.uk...l-pain-eze-emulgel-50g-gel-5012131742600.html
 
Had it 4 yrs, after trod on a plug!! For a year I hobbled, then had injection and its much better, I need heel pads in shoes, and can't wear cheep flip flops now!
I never walk barefooted now. Lesson learnt!!
 
Thanks for your replies everyone - it's so nice to hear that most cases have gone eventually. Google = panic stations, i read too many stories of people who never rid of this.

Who knew this was so common!
 
my daughter has it and the hospital told her to wear trainers I bought her as a present some mountain horse stable loafers they are made the same as the boots but just slips ons they have a nice shaped inner sole but then we noticed there is under the heel a shock absorber like trainers could not believe the difference they made a pain free pair of feet she was so pleased Cheap shoes are the worst things of all If you have horses and go in a tack shop see if you can try some on
 
Me too. I suffered agony, for about 6 monts ,before giving in and seeking a constant privately as nhs suggestions of podiatry and insoles didn't work.
He gave me several steroid injections over the course of a few months,which were incredibly painful,but eventually were very successful and the foot pain went. He did say the pain usually goes away of its own accord,but could be months,or years down the line.
Riding was not a problem. Dismounting,however,to land on incredibly painful feet was very difficult and slithering off became the only solution!
 
I have it now... Had it since January 2012. I think jumping out of the lorry I landed on a stone and I have been lame ever since.
I have been to the doctors three times and to a podiatrist who all confirmed PF. I have done the exercise and stretches religiously yet I still can not walk if I have sat for more than 5 mins.
Riding is pain free for me and probably helps with the stretching of the foot.
I received my appointment to be fitted for insoles last week and so will be hopping off to hospital next Wednesday.
Deffo agree that the right footwear helps. I wear toning trainers for work as I usually stand all day and they have an airbag in the heel and ball part of the shoe.
If I wear wellies rather than supportive boots my feet are in agony so wellies are now in the bin and my Muck Boots have taken over. I ride in my Toggi Blenheim's which have been fine.
 
Scaty_Bird said:
I've tried everything - insoles, anti-inflams, stretching, massage, can't have cortisone as it's not localised in my heel blah, blah - I get bored of listening to myself go on about it now lol

I've been advised to not stand in my stirrups when I ride so it's no stirrups for me - only problem is the stiffness the next day makes stretching painful! Wondering if not riding is actually making it worse as the stretch is similar to the position when you ride??
Click to expand...

I found riding very difficult for ages,and still do TBH,but think have learnt to live with it a bit now.Rising to the trot is the worst,and would recommend you avoid due to the stretching of the foot.Getting off is also a killer but sure you know that.Try just sitting and flexing the foot for several minutes before dismounting.
I have started riding western and have found that much easier,different foot position and no rising trot!!

As for the PF itself,I have had it for over 3 years,and now have partial ruptures in both feet.Had all available treatment bar surgery,which is GP's next move if it doesn't cure itself,last resort though and hopefully won't come to that.
Actually been a bit better since the partial rupture ironically,pain is reduced as less stretch and tension on the ligament.No idea how long that relief will last though might only be temporary,at this stage though I'll take what I can get!!

Have you had shock wave therapy?? Didn't work for me (actually made it worse but that is rare),but works in 75% of cases according to my consultant,and is non invasive so might be worth asking about??

I had the injections into the heels,(twice or maybe three times can't remember now),although they were hideous to have (last time though Doc went in through the side of the foot and used loads of local anesthetic which did help a lot and weren't nearly as unpleasant),I loved them as they gave me 3-4 months pain free!!
Unfortunately I paid the price and hence now have partial ruptures.Risk I was aware of and happy to take,only gutted as after seeing how thin my plantar facia is now they won't even consider letting me have any more injections:(

Maybe if your pain localises they may be an option for you if you are happy to accept the risks??

Never found any improvement from physio,massages with ice bottles under the feet or any of that kind of thing,but again it seems to work for some.

I have found apart from the injections the only things that really help are the custom made insoles.I was referred to the mobility centre and had a cast made,now I just pop in with my casts as and when I need a new pair.
They don't cure it,but they do support the arch and cushion the heel enough to function most days.
Not sure what insoles you have had?? If have only tried the off the shelf type though definitely ask your GP for a referral to your mobility centre.

Suitable footwear is a must.Wellies are the absolute worst,and I firmly believe the trigger of my worst flare ups.Crocs are another big no-no.Shape up/toning trainers also a bad idea due to altering the mechanics of walking and how your foot naturally moves,and increasing pressure on the tendon.Ugg boots are also a terrible idea as they offer no support whatsoever to the arch,can see a whole generation of PF sufferers due to the Ugg boot craze.

Good brands are asics and new balance for trainers.Merrell,salomon,bracher etc for walking boots,and birkenstock for summer type shoes.
I work in a hospital (not ideal from a being on your feet POV I know,but hey ho refuse to give up a job i love because of stupid broken feet),and have found a combination of asics trainers and my insoles mean I can get through a shift and still be walking at the end of it!!

Be careful of the anti inflamms,they do help but there are risks of kidney damage with long term use.

I recently saw my podietrist who decided to sign me off as nothing more she can do for me (kind of expected this but was a box that had to be ticked to satisfy the surgeon if it comes to it that we have exhausted all options),she did say that it was unusual to have it chronically for more than 2 years as it is normally self limiting,not the case for me and others am guessing,but maybe it will be more positive info for you depending how long you have had it??

Sorry for waffle just something I have far more experience of than I would like:o

It's a horrible thing to have and if end up with it as a chronic condition can be very debilitating.Holding a good thought for you that you get some relief from your symptoms soon:)
 
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Yes! Brought on by starting a job that required me to be on my feet all day and took a long time to resolve. Flat shoes seemed to be the culprit and once I changed to wearing a bit of a heel with comfort insoles (think Clarke's Air type shoes) it was bliss lol. Even my slippers have a wedge heel! I never had pain riding but had to land on my good foot when dismounting which I sometimes got wrong and ended up in a heap on the floor :( the exercises do help and I try and avoid wellies but in the recent weather I seem to be living in the bloomin things!
Hope you get on top of yours soon, it's Sooooo flippin painful......
 
My husband had this - its the tendon in your foot - he had the steroid injections and didn't help so opted for surgery as was in agony, had the tendon cut off the bone - on crutches for three weeks and saw a podiatrist who made special insoles and he is fine now. Still has insoles for all his shoes though
 
I'm also a sufferer, this time last year the pain finally drove me to GP followed by a recommended (by work mate) chiropodist . A few sessions of massage and ultrasound plus using off the shelf heel supports (though some of these are rubbish) definitely helped, but avoiding wellies and bad shoes along with doing the exercises helped most. It improved over the summer, but has recently flared up again so am starting the exercises again. My yard boots (shires) are fab unless I wear them for more than 4 hours or so, I've found better work shoes and have slippers with a small heel for home. Riding isn't a problem, but dismounting can be. I think my PF started as a combination of a barefoot walk on a pebbly beach when I know I stood awkwardly on a large pebble and dismounting from an 18.1hh RS horse on to concrete whilst worrying about a sore knee :eek: I didn't connect these at first as it seemed to get gradually worse, but like others say, an injury (bruised ligament?) can trigger it.
I hope you find the ideas here useful, and your PF calms down soon.
 
I had this for several months following breaking my ankles. I found gel insoles helped. For riding you could try either flexible stirrups or really wide endurance ones to spread the load
 
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