Plantar Fasciatis

[[old] rshoffer]

I am 55 years old, a former long (very long), distance runer. I have severe plantar fasciatis..... a heel-spur like pain very localized in the heel of my right foot. You would thing Erg rowing would not aggravate the condition, but that does not sem to be the case. Anyone else out there have any thoughts about this vexing problem.

[[old] Masonje]

<!--quoteo(post=57394:date=Feb 27 2006, 10:00 AM:name=rshoffer)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rshoffer @ Feb 27 2006, 10:00 AM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I am 55 years old, a former long (very long), distance runer. I have severe plantar fasciatis..... a heel-spur like pain very localized in the heel of my right foot. You would thing Erg rowing would not aggravate the condition, but that does not sem to be the case. Anyone else out there have any thoughts about this vexing problem.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I sympathize with your problem. I developed mine while I was a surgery intern working 24 hour ER shifts and it didn't completely go away until I finished my residency 7 years later. What really helped was a visit to a foot orthopedist who advised adamantly AGAINST either surgery or cortisone injections. I was fitted with a boot that I would wear at night that kept my ankle joint in a dorsiflexed postion, that is the top of my foot was kept closer to my shin. The tendancy when we sleep is for the toes to point down and the plantar fascia tightens up and when we take those first steps each morning the scar tissue is stretched and torn resulting in severe pain. Orthotics are also supposed to be helpful and for refractory cases there is a procedure where a vibratory device is used to break up scar tissue. This is apparently done under anesthesia as it is quite uncomfortable. Our star first baseman here in St. Louis Albert Pujols had a bad case of plantar fasciitis and this vibratory procedure was apparenly quite helpful but I think it is a last resort.<br /><br />I don't claim to be a foot doctor but this was my experience. You should probably see either a podiatrist or a foot orthopedist if your problem doesn't seem to get better just with rest and ice.<br /><br />I found the erg wasn't to hard on my heel but running and basketball were completely out of the question. Good luck.<br /><br />John Mason<br />40, HWT<br />

[[old] FrankJ]

<!--quoteo(post=57394:date=Feb 27 2006, 02:00 PM:name=rshoffer)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rshoffer @ Feb 27 2006, 02:00 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I am 55 years old, a former long (very long), distance runer. I have severe plantar fasciatis..... a heel-spur like pain very localized in the heel of my right foot. You would thing Erg rowing would not aggravate the condition, but that does not sem to be the case. Anyone else out there have any thoughts about this vexing problem.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi,<br /><br />I'm also an ex-runner and have suffered from plantar fasciitis in the past before becoming an indoor rower. I find that I must row in good running shoes and make sure that I push with my foot flat. It is easy to roll the heal up coming forward at the catch and then start the push which will put a lot of force on the plantar fascia. I try to be careful and have not developed a problem but a couple of times when trying for a PB in the shorter distances I've felt slight twinges that remind me to be careful. <br /><br />My suggestion is that you consciously push with your heals until you fasciitis symptoms are better. I've also found that a night splint works great for curing the problem.<br /><br />Frank

[[old] John Rupp]

The PF is caused by your shoes, not by running or rowing.<br /><br />In particular it is caused by the shape, design and materials of the insoles of your shoes.<br /><br />Make sure the insoles of your shoes are flat and contiguous, i.e. wide enough for your foot, consistenly flat, with no "holes", dips, protrusions or ridges, "supports" etc.<br /><br />Make sure the insoles are of a smooth, non absorbing material, and not cloth or cotton.<br /><br />Likewise, do not wear cotton socks, as they would aggravate the condition.<br /><br />I use thin white nylon socks for running, which are $1 a pair at Kmart.<br /><br />During the healing process, keep soaking your feet in cold water, adding ice cubes, several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.<br />

[[old] Cant Climb]

<!--quoteo--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><br />My suggestion is that you consciously push with your heals until you fasciitis symptoms are better. I've also found that a night splint works great for curing the problem.<br /><br />Frank<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />I agree with the night splint, i have been wearing one for 3 years now. If i dont wear it my foot gets a tired achey feel and that is the beginning of a flare up for me.<br /><br />The course i took for a cure was seeing a good foot doctor, the catch here is ,it is hard to find a good foot doctor. The first 2 i saw made my problem worst. The last guy i saw laughed at the orthotic the previous doctor made. He explained to me what was going on with my foot. It was all related to a poor gait in my case.......he set me off on a course of PT and gait exercises and i was pain free after about 2 years. ERGing made things better by strengthening my ankle muscles, i consciencely pulled hard on recovery to work my shin muscles.......shin muscles are a key to good foot control and walking properly......<br /><br />My PF got so bad at one point i could barely walk from my car into the building i work in......all i could do actively at this time was swim and cyle.......cycling didnt bother me.......everything else was awful.

[[old] Hal Morgan]

The worst pain is knowing that you have to stand up after sitting a few minutes. The first steps my dogs bark loudest. <br /> I used my workman's comp. I saw a foot doctor. I tried the boots. I never slept, they are so stinking hot. I did get physical therapy and custom fitted insoles. <br /> I have recovered. I never wear shoes without the insoles. I fact I wear shoes all the time now. That seems to help.<br /> Erging hurts my feet when I have used agressive arch extension from stretching or yoga. I back off a little and the tendon returns to a healthy state in a few days. I also recomend Ice bags or bucket of ice water and soak the foot.

[[old] Cant Climb]

Also massage your foot somehow......<br /><br />Some other things i saw in PT were older people with the same problem do to a lack of flexibilty. I learned how to properly stretch the PF and that is something i do even now. Males in their 30's develop very tight hamstrings. This can alter your gait........altering your gait even a little can cause problems. Alot of time it is a poor heal strike or a poor push-off........these 2 things will cause alot of pain.<br /><br />My PT showed me a series of strecthes and i do them to do this day........but they are only effective once you get a little bit of a handle on the flare-ups and pain......<br /><br />You can fix this problem but it can be a bugger.<br /><br />Find yourself a good doctor. Ask runners in your area. And be open to switching doctors if you think they giving the canned answer......this problem can have varied starting points and treatments.<br />

[[old] John Rupp]

I run an hour every morning and row barefoot.<br /><br />I never stretch the bottom of my feet -- NEVER STRETCH AN INJURY.<br /><br />Anyone who told you to stretch the injury doesn't know what they are saying or else they WANT you to be injured.<br /><br />I never wear a splint on my foot. How ridiculous.<br /><br />My running shoes and all of my shoes have flat insoles, plenty of room, and no arch "supports".<br /><br />I have high arches. NO ARCH SUPPORTS.<br /><br />You don't wear an "arch" support on your hands do you?<br /><br />I go barefoot all the time at home -- and I never have any problems with PF.

[[old] Cant Climb]

<!--quoteo(post=57473:date=Feb 27 2006, 02:57 PM:name=John Rupp)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(John Rupp @ Feb 27 2006, 02:57 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><br />You don't wear an "arch" support on your hands do you?<br /><br />I go barefoot all the time at home -- and I never have any problems with PF.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Orthotics help your foot use the proper mechanics when walking.......mostly helps with the push-off.<br />A proper push-off leads to a proper heal strike.....hece a healthy gait and soon healthy properly trained and functioning feet.<br /><br />As for strecthing an injury.......you are right......once it heals, then strecth to prevent further injury.<br /><br />The boot/splint thing works awesome. <br />

[[old] John Rupp]

Orthotics and arch protrusions ("supports") <b>screw up your mechanics</b> and help make more money for podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons.<br /><br />Wrap an arch support in your palm, and then try to hold a baseball and toss it around.<br /><br />Does that help?<br /><br />You are correct that wearing arch protrusions leads to striking on your heels. That leads to additional problems with your feet, and also injuries to your calves, knees, thighs, hips, and back.<br /><br />Take your shoes off and then stamp on the ground like you are stamping on a coin. Do you stamp on it flat, or strike hard with your heels... ouch!!!.... ? You likely did this with your feet flat, to cushion the impact, the same as you should land when you run, i.e. not striking hard on your heels. It is hard to run properly when your arches are sitting on arch protrusions (might as well tape a couple of big rocks under there), when the heels of the shoes are built up so you could hardly avoid striking hard on them, messing up the mechanics of your whole style of running, and when the balls of your feet are sitting down in a couple of big holes which, again, puts more pressure and weight bearing on your arches! Bingo, instant PF!<br /><br />Just wear shoes that are flat and give you room inside, are balanced, and don't have protrusions that stick in your foot. Or else walk around barefoot and run barefoot on the grass. I can run barefoot for 2 hours around a rubberized track and no problems at all.<br /><br />I tried keeping my heels flat all the time on the erg, and it hurt my knees -- the same as it would do if the running shoes didn't allow any rotation of your knees when you ran. The knees need to rotate 15 degrees with every stride and the same on the erg. It is better to come up on the balls of your feet at the catch, to allow this rotation of your knees, and it puts you in a better position for the start of your drive. Eskild Ebbesen and Rob Waddell both come well up on the balls of their feet at the catch.

[[old] mpukita]

I had a case, both feet, from jumping off things at my tender age (47) ... like a high deck while building it, upper rungs of ladders while remodelling basement, small cornices while skiing, etc. I started wearing gel heel cups, in all my shoes. They protected the heel, which is where I started having the problem, and the symptoms went away within weeks, and have not reappeared.<br /><br />They're not real expensive (about $10 a pair), and seem pretty durable.<br /><br />You might want to give it a try.<br /><br />Thank you doctor Rupp ... for more bad advice relative to health ... my goodness, where do you get this drivel?

[[old] R S T]

How I beat a dose of PF:<br /><br />- Trip to the Orthodontist - listen to the experts, not some quacks on internet forums <br />- Time. It took many months for mine to disappear, whereas the symptoms seemed to arrive overnight.<br />- Foot exercises/stretches - too difficult to explain here, but you could google it I am sure. The orthodontist will be able to tell you.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Richard<br />

[[old] DavidA]

<!--quoteo(post=57511:date=Feb 27 2006, 05:49 PM:name=R S T)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(R S T @ Feb 27 2006, 05:49 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>How I beat a dose of PF:<br /><br />- Trip to the Orthodontist - listen to the experts, not some quacks on internet forums <br />Cheers<br />Richard<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />How did getting braces on your teeth help with PF? <br /><br />David<br />

[[old] Paul S]

One thing that helped me was getting a pair of Birkenstock sandals which give you a lower heel position which helps gently stretch the affected area, and the deep heel cup helps with the pain. I believe these helped me quite a bit. I wore them around the house religously. Of course John Rupp will now weigh in with how bad Birkenstocks are for your feet.<br /><br />Paul Salata

[[old] mpukita]

<!--quoteo(post=57514:date=Feb 27 2006, 05:58 PM:name=Paul S)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Paul S @ Feb 27 2006, 05:58 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>One thing that helped me was getting a pair of Birkenstock sandals which give you a lower heel position which helps gently stretch the affected area, and the deep heel cup helps with the pain. I believe these helped me quite a bit. I wore them around the house religously. Of course John Rupp will now weigh in with how bad Birkenstocks are for your feet.<br /><br />Paul Salata<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Only because he confuses you with Paul Smilth, Paul. Don't take it personally.<br /><br />