Walking Boot and plantar fasciitis

The one thing that finally got my PF under control is the Straussburg Sock (http://www.amazon.com/Strassburg-Sock-Regular-Size-Around/dp/B001AW3O00/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347810065&sr=8-1&keywords=strassburg+sock).  When my PF flares up, I wear it when sitting for long periods in the evening and especially when I sleep.  It takes a little getting used to but it has worked for me and for now for a very fast running colleague who, like you, tried all those other things. 

Got the recommendation from my Sports Podiatrist with the explanation that you need to stretch and keep the PF stretched and that when you are sitting relaxed watching TV or something, you unconciously contract it to make it more comfortable.  When sleeping that occurs naturally and if you sleep on your stomach, to a major degree (your ankle will rotate and straighten out you foot, allowing the PF to contract).  The Sock forces your foot into dorsiflexion as opposed to Plantar Flexion, so ensures that stretch.  It is fully adjustable, so start out with a gentle stretch and as the PF stretches, you can gradually increase the tension/stretch.

Hope this helps!

Just my 2 cents, but I'd try the sock the pp mentioned first b/c the boot just plain S@cks. I'm on week 4 b/c of a fracture and can't wait to chuck the thing. I wondered at the time too if it would cure my occasional pf but seems it's so awkward, it seems like my heal actually hurts more at times so can't say if it's an answer or not for you but it would be my last resort that's for sure. Good luck, hope the pf clears up for you!

Patsy

I tried absolutely everything for my stupid PF, but it didn't start to heal until I started wearing the night brace (similar to a Strassburg sock). I would recommend trying that first.

Good luck!

I have been side-lined with PF since February of this year.  I've tried EVERYTHING that I could find on the web, including the boot.  Nothing worked.  Finally, a month ago I got a CORTISONE shot from a podiatrist.  Pure magic.  I've been out running pain free.  Hopefully, I won't have to repeat the treatment.  Some people have said that it is only temporary.  We'll see.

Had it in both feet for over 3 years. Its manageable now, but honestly Im terrified to run. I swim and bike. I don't want this thing back again for another 3. Looking back I wish I had tried the boot. I couldn't handle the sock as it pulls the toes back, and this caused severe pain at the plantar tendon insertion point at the heel for me. I have been told the cortisone destroys your heels fat padding, and thats why they can only give a few shots per year. Also, the needle can cause further tendon damage, but hey when your in unbelievable pain, what can you do? One thing I did do was religiously stretch. Thinking back Im wondering if thats why it took so long to resolve. One report I read said to treat it like any other sprain. We don't aggressively stretch sprains. We control the load and allow healing. 

I had PF in my left foot for about 10 months and then ended up with a stress fracture in the left heel.  Not sure what caused the stress fx since I was rehabbing my foot and had not been running at all.  I was in the boot for about 5 weeks.  It didn't help the PF at all.  The stress fracture healed, but the PF was still there.  I've had it on/off in both feet since 2007.  I'm about ready to find someone that will try to figure out the root cause of my PF.  I have tried everything.  And stopping running doesn't help at all.  In fact I actually developed it in my other foot while I was "resting."

jami

Whatever you do, do NOT get surgery.

I had problems for over a year, my podiatrist wasn't very aggressive, other than cortisone shots, and telling me to wear socks at night to get my foot/ankle warm he gave me no other treatment options. He recommended surgery, told me I'd be back up and walking around in 3-4 days. I had the surgery and was in so much pain I couldn't have the bed sheet on my toes at night it was too painful. I saw him 5 days after surgery for a check-up and questioned the being back up and walking around in 3-4 days (could put NO weight on my foot at all) he said you are up and around, you're just on crutches. I was on the crutches for 7 weeks, and when I did start walking the pain caused me to change my gait so much I ended up with hip problems. That was years ago, and I still have as much pain in the heal of my foot now as I did before the surgery.

I had a horrible case of PF in my right foot, and as time progressed I got in my left foot as well but it was as severe.

I had tried EVERYTHING- rolling over a frozen water bottle, wearing shoes with supprt 24/7 (my running shoes), stretching, wearing a night splint, PT, kineso taping, custom orthotics, etc.  You name it I tried it for 8 months.  I even got a cortisone injection which helped but was only a temporary fix.  After 5-6 weeks the injection wore off and the PF was back.

After seeing 1 podiatrist, 2 sports med docs, 2 PT's, I finally saw another podiatrist after dealing with it for 8 months and things just not feeling right.  I was also having pain in 2 different places on my foot as well and tendonitis.  He took an x ray and found that I had extra foot bones- one huge accessory nvaicular and 3 accessory sesamoid bones.  I had surgery to have 4 extra foot bones removed, had my post tib and peroneal tendons reanchored, my gastroc lengthened, and almost a full year later I'm training for the NYC Marathon.  My PF immediately disappeared after having foot surgery- I guess the extra foot bones just really jacked up my PF.

I wouldn't opt to be in the boot unless it's an absolute last resort recommended by a doctor.  You will lose so much muscle mass from being in it and it will take awhile to get that strength back.  And it's just a pain to wear one all the time- they are heavy and throw everything off trying to hobble around in one.

Try wearing a night splint because I do think that, (or the sock) really helps.

If you don't have luck with that then I would eventually see a doctor and try to find out what's causing your PF.  There may or may not be something more causing it.

I developed PF in my left foot 10 years ago playing tennis.  I, like Runnergirl, had tried everything.  You name it , I did it.  Several doctors and podiatrists. All the splints and socks imaginable.  Cortisone, slanted boxes, ART, and on and on. 

Long story short, I had one PRP injection in May, and it's gone.  I didn't run for a month, and then started back slowly, and I did my first Oly last week and I am pain free. 

From what I understand, the only real negative is the $450 price tag and that it's not proven.  But, I can say for sure, it cured me. 

Taping and rest were the only thing that got me back to normal. I still have frequent twinges where I have to say "oops" better ease up a little, maybe cross train some. Taping my arch was a lot easier than the boot.

I used the sock and loved it.  Don't pull it too tight.  Your toes don't need to be pointed towards you, that just need to be NOT pointed away from you.

Eventually it went away.  Now I use mimimalist shoes and have not had a problem.

Yes, it hurt like crazy 1st thing in the morning, until the sock.  Best $40 you'll ever spend.

My pain was so bad at one point I didn't think I was going to make 2 miles walking back to my truck after it flared on a run.  I did the night boot, ice rolled, tennis ball, etc. for months.......I got a simple set of inserts from walgreens that were advertised to help with PF for $7.99.....dropped them in every  pair of shoes I wore, and it was gone in 3 weeks.

Go figure.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the more common pain complaints that I see. I see really good results through the combination of deep tissue massage (from a highly skilled fascial therapist); self massage using a foam roller and lacrosse or soft ball; flexibility; and corrective exercises. I generally see significant reductions in pain within 2-4 sessions.

You said you've tried foam rolling. What areas did you foam roll? Plantar fasciitis pain is usually in the foot area, but the cause is from the calves up to the hips. If you don't address the calves and hips, you will get very little relief.

Here are some self massage and flexibility exercises that I have had pretty good success with in treating plantar fasciitis.

http://tao-fit.com/self-treatment-for-plantar-fasciitis

I hope this helps. Good luck.