Plantar Fasciitis Treatment - Ultrasound, E.M.S., Cortisone...

[yemenmocha]

So I found a podiatrist who seem to specialize in sport-related foot injuries and they do A LOT of plantar fasciitis cases. They said they get a high rate of good results within a month with the following:

Cortisone shot
Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Ultrasound in warm foot bath
Taping of the foot regularly
Orthotics
Night Splint
Stretching of P.F. & Calf
Rest

I'm doing everything with them except the cortisone.

My question for folks here is whether it is a good or bad idea to go ahead with the cortisone, and whether you think the EMS & ultrasound are doing anything. The rest I can do on my own without paying out of pocket for the PT (high deductible insurance).

Also any general thoughts appreciated. I brought up the 5-Minute PF solution book to the doc and he insists that their process is better than the average recovery time stated in that book.

 

[sureshs]

Fedace is using orthotics and thinking about accupuncture.

 

[bharat]

No to Cortisone, I took it initially, it relieves the pain and symptoms temporarily but you will see them come back within 2 weeks.

Orthotics is the one that worked for me, dont have be custom ones but prescription orthotics are really good and will help a lot

Stretch as much as you can, before going to bed and in the morning as well as before and after the game.

Night splint will help but not much improvement by itself.

It took about 1 month for me to get rid of it and now its completely gone.

I would suggest trying these out before doing ultrasound or muscle stimulation etc

good luck
Bharat

 

[jtatsiue]

QUOTE

Cortisone shot
Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Ultrasound in warm foot bath
Taping of the foot regularly
Orthotics
Night Splint
Stretching of P.F. & Calf
Rest

Pretty thorough list. I'd add losing weight and keeping it off.

 

[scotus]

Cortisone shots are expensive and are a hit-or-miss.

Mine did not work at all.

Ask your doctor about Voltaren Gel.

 

[GuyClinch]

There are more therapies actually like rich platelet therapy (very expensive - Tony Parker of the Spurs had this for his PF) as well as basically microwaving your foot (I think they call this radio wave treatment). There is also something called dry needling - where they jam a ton of needles into your heel... My doctor said this works by they likely had to put the guy under to test it as its incredibly painful.

So far I have gotten orthoics and one cortisone shot. My foot pain is gone but I have not been playing tennis..(For a month or so). So that means nothing..

I personally am trying to stay away from simple pain reduction therapies (accupuncture, NSAIDs etc since they just cover up the pain and do nothing to treat the underlying cause) My Doc says the cause is that the tendons in the heal stretch too much while your leg and calf ones are too tight.. Over time they basically get trashed..

 

[scotus]

I personally am trying to stay away from simple pain reduction therapies (accupuncture, NSAIDs etc since they just cover up the pain and do nothing to treat the underlying cause) .

I disagree with this statement.

NSAIDs do not simply cover up pain.

They do reduce inflammation, and by reducing excessive inflammation, it allows the body to do a better job at healing itself.

I believe that a certain degree of inflammation is good for healing but an excessive one is not.

I had a severe chronic PF that went on for 2 years during which period I tried a cortisone shot, custom orthotics, icing, daily stretching, exercises, night splints, orally administered NSAIDs.

Nothing would stop this until I tried Voltaren Gel (a topical NSAID). Pain relief was immediate, but I had to use it for nearly 3 months to keep the pain from coming back.

After that, I was completely pain-free for about a half year without any further use of the medicine.

Just a couple of weeks ago, some pain came back. I used the medicine for 2 days and I have been pain free again.

If PF is bad enough, all the stretching, exercises, and orthotics in the world may not be sufficient, and the body will need extra help.

 

[yemenmocha]

I forgot to mention the weight loss is included in my plan (but it is slow w/out exercise - 1lb. per week) and an oral NSAID.

Also I'm doing the ice massage but have neglected to do it EVERY day.

 

[jwbarrientos]

I had fight with PF many times in my life, used many approaches and in my case a combination of ...

1. Rest.
2. Streching
3. Taping (KT)

Those 3 were and still are my basic routine.

I still tape my feet when I play (Tennis + Soccer)

 

[Cindysphinx]

No shot here.

The things that helped the most were reducing activity level, night boot, *custom orthotics* and diligent stretching.

 

[Fedace]

You can Get 1 Cortisone shot, it will work Great. but in 2-3 month, it will wear off and will no longer help you. and 2nd Shot is USELESS and does not work at all. so it is up to you. 1 shot of cortisone won't hurt you anyway. and it does help

 

[Fedace]

I had fight with PF many times in my life, used many approaches and in my case a combination of ...

1. Rest.
2. Streching
3. Taping (KT)

Those 3 were and still are my basic routine.

I still tape my feet when I play (Tennis + Soccer)

I have that Foot constantly KT taped now for last 7 days. Do you think that is a Bad idea ?? Is it bad to have the area constantly taped all the time with KT tape ??

 

[Fedace]

My new $400 Custom Orthotic seem to be helping me alot when i play. I felt only little pain after 2 hours of play. before with the cheap orthotic, i could play only 1 hour and my feet starts to KILL me...

 

[jwbarrientos]

I have that Foot constantly KT taped now for last 7 days. Do you think that is a Bad idea ?? Is it bad to have the area constantly taped all the time with KT tape ??

Fedace, I'll tell from my own experience, please let me warning you I'm a Business Consultant an amateur tennis player, not a doc, ok?

If you are in a middle of foot pain period, I think is good idea to be KTaped, At least my doc used to say that, he also says KT is only one measure no the final solution.

I got many sprains in my ankles, plantar fascitis here and there and before KTaped (two years ago or so) I visited very frequently my doc with the same issue... plantar fascitis.

KT solved (or just controlled my condition) I KTaped as soon as I start feeling something in my feet, in those ocasion I got them for 5/7 days no more, for the rest of the time I just use regular taping before playing and I take it off as soon as I finish, I mean I use for prevention.

Why? two reasons, First, here in my country (ARG) you need a doc to be taped since is part of a medical treatment (and those guys do nothing for free ), Second my doc also says that is better develop the area streching gently, because taping is not natural and could be ending weakening the whole area, anyhow it works me

The pattern I use for this is shown bellow

 

[MNPlayer]

I had a mild case of PF or something similar and orthotics worked great. I got custom ones from a doc but lately have been using the green "superfeet" ones and they work just as well. I try to stretch my feet in the morning before getting out of bed to reduce that initial pain.

I got ultrasound for a while after first getting diagnosed but its hard to say if it did much. Felt kind of nice at the time...

I've also heard from multiple people that the "boot" you wear at night helps a lot but haven't tried that.

 

[Fedace]

Fedace, I'll tell from my own experience, please let me warning you I'm a Business Consultant an amateur tennis player, not a doc, ok?

If you are in a middle of foot pain period, I think is good idea to be KTaped, At least my doc used to say that, he also says KT is only one measure no the final solution.

I got many sprains in my ankles, plantar fascitis here and there and before KTaped (two years ago or so) I visited very frequently my doc with the same issue... plantar fascitis.

KT solved (or just controlled my condition) I KTaped as soon as I start feeling something in my feet, in those ocasion I got them for 5/7 days no more, for the rest of the time I just use regular taping before playing and I take it off as soon as I finish, I mean I use for prevention.

Why? two reasons, First, here in my country (ARG) you need a doc to be taped since is part of a medical treatment (and those guys do nothing for free ), Second my doc also says that is better develop the area streching gently, because taping is not natural and could be ending weakening the whole area, anyhow it works me

The pattern I use for this is shown bellow

That doesn't look like a Ktape. Real Ktape in USA is much more Broader and 1 piece covers the almost the entire foot.

http://www.kttape.com/instructions/plantar-fasciitis/

 

[Fedace]

I had K tape on Constantly for last 2weeks. i don't know if it is Magic but 90% of the pain is GONE.

 

[Puddy]

I had K tape on Constantly for last 2weeks. i don't know if it is Magic but 90% of the pain is GONE.

Dr. Fedace,

Get your foot in a cast at an 88-degree angle for a few weeks and all will be okay. It worked for me and changed my life....

 

[Tina]

Is there any way to avoid this problem?

 

[scotus]

I had K tape on Constantly for last 2weeks. i don't know if it is Magic but 90% of the pain is GONE.

If kinesio tape is helping you that much, then your PF is not as bad as you make it out to be, and it also leads me to believe that you have not been wearing your night splints.

 

[Fedace]

If kinesio tape is helping you that much, then your PF is not as bad as you make it out to be, and it also leads me to believe that you have not been wearing your night splints.

I can't sleep with Nightsplints on. i also can't do you know what in bed with it on...:?

 

[Cindysphinx]

Is there any way to avoid this problem?

Yes. If you start to have heel/arch pain, take it seriously right away. Start doing stretches, change your shoes, get orthotics.

I think where most of us get into trouble is we ignore the pain because we don't understand PF or think it will go away. By the time we get serious, it is chronic and it takes a lot of effort to resolve it.

 

[Tina]

Yes. If you start to have heel/arch pain, take it seriously right away. Start doing stretches, change your shoes, get orthotics.

I think where most of us get into trouble is we ignore the pain because we don't understand PF or think it will go away. By the time we get serious, it is chronic and it takes a lot of effort to resolve it.

Thanks for Info, Cindy.

 

[jwbarrientos]

Is there any way to avoid this problem?

Asked that to my doc, and he said since human being started to walk in feet the problem will be there, some people suffer other don't.

Streching ... resting ...

 

[jwbarrientos]

That doesn't look like a Ktape. Real Ktape in USA is much more Broader and 1 piece covers the almost the entire foot.

http://www.kttape.com/instructions/plantar-fasciitis/

:shock: hmmmm, did you read my post?

You asked me sth, I answer ... I didn't say that were a KT ...

 

[TourTenor]

I can't sleep with Nightsplints on. i also can't do you know what in bed with it on...:?

I heard that you will go blind if you do that!

 

[scotus]

I can't sleep with Nightsplints on. i also can't do you know what in bed with it on...:?

You can put them on after your business/pleasure.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

No cortisone. Any of the others could help.

 

[Fedace]

No cortisone. Any of the others could help.

Cortisone is Good for 1 shots,,marius. If you have a USTA Nationals coming up and need to be pain free for a Week. This is the way to go. but it will only last about 2-3 month then it stops working. and 2nd shot is NO help.

 

[Jim A]

much like there are a million ways to treat a cold, the same holds true for PF

I dealt with some PF/achilles issues 2 summers ago, before I started playing tennis - I can only tell you what worked for me

found a good massage therapist who also was an ART provider

what we found was that part of my calf was essentially sticking to the bone near the top. this pulled on the muscles throughout the rest of the leg and of course the end of the foot for all of this is the PF. I didn't have a knot that was evident.all I knew was that if I ran my hands over it deep, even though it felt right...it was always "sore" (the calf)

..I would have a session of deep tissue on my legs, and we did a couple on the achilles to get rid of the scar tissue....along with stretches to help the PF

in the meantime I put some cork heel inserts in my shoes (foam just compresses, the goal was to keep the achilles for moving through the full range of motion)

over a 2 week period there were noticeable changes, I will also note that I just ran easy during this point, no more than 30min/day at once but I could do 30min *2.....she also had me alternate heat/ice on my calf in 10 min segments to help loosen up the muscle (always start with heat and end with ice) I'd do this for an hour or so while watching tv, surfing the web etc...

nowadays I make sure to stretch, do some self-massage, picked up a cheap percussion massager and every couple months go in and get a deep tissue massage...

good luck in your search and hope it all works out

 

[bigfoot910]

Two more options for ya:
First, there is a trigger point that commonly refers to the plantar fascia, it is very commonly misdiagnosed or just missed in conjunction with the fasciitis, and if you don't correct it, the pain won't go away. The point is on the superior and medial side of the calf (inside of leg, just barely below the knee), you can push around in the muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus) and if it is a problem, you will feel a small knot that when pushed refers pain down to the plantar surface of the foot. Just something to try, really worked for me, if it is tender you can work it out with some deep massage or some muscle therapy with your chiropractor, PT, or other therapist.

Second, try the kt or kinesio tape protocol for the plantar fascia works pretty well when applied correctly. It won't last as long as other tape jobs because it's on the sole of the foot, but the relief that it gives is worth reapplying.

Hope this helps!

 

[Fedace]

Two more options for ya:
First, there is a trigger point that commonly refers to the plantar fascia, it is very commonly misdiagnosed or just missed in conjunction with the fasciitis, and if you don't correct it, the pain won't go away. The point is on the superior and medial side of the calf (inside of leg, just barely below the knee), you can push around in the muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus) and if it is a problem, you will feel a small knot that when pushed refers pain down to the plantar surface of the foot. Just something to try, really worked for me, if it is tender you can work it out with some deep massage or some muscle therapy with your chiropractor, PT, or other therapist.

Second, try the kt or kinesio tape protocol for the plantar fascia works pretty well when applied correctly. It won't last as long as other tape jobs because it's on the sole of the foot, but the relief that it gives is worth reapplying.

Hope this helps!

does k tape, heal the injury like medicine does ??

 

[bigfoot910]

does k tape, heal the injury like medicine does ??

Never said it healed it, just said it helps... It can help take some of the pressure away from the plantar fascia and allows for better lymph flow to redistribute any inflammation in the area...

Can't argue with results, what do you think that tape all the pro's are wearing is?

 

[Fedace]

Never said it healed it, just said it helps... It can help take some of the pressure away from the plantar fascia and allows for better lymph flow to redistribute any inflammation in the area...

Can't argue with results, what do you think that tape all the pro's are wearing is?

I haven't seen any of it lately

 

[Robbnc]

If you are anywhere the Netherlands you can get in on this study:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00758641

or you can just find one of the many foot docs who do it everyday and
cure your PF

 

[tennis4josh]

I have been having pain in my left heel for some time now. I think its PF because the first few steps in the morning are super painful. I haven't been to a doctor yet, but I do ice it everyday. One of my friend gave me a tip which is helping a lot. I want to share it with you.

Fill a stainless steel water bottle with water and put it in freezer. Leave some space in the bottle for ice to expand else the bottle will crack. Whenever you are at home and plan to sit down at one place for few minutes get the bottle out of freezer. Spread a towel on the floor and rest the bottle horizontally on it. Then sit in the chair, rest your painful heel on the bottle and roll it back and forth. Do this as long as you can. This has helped me a lot and it has started to cure the pain I had for last 2-3 months. I believe the pain will completely go away in a couple of weeks.