I got diagnosed with Plantar Faciitis today, and I take back any criticism I ever made about a basketball player not sucking it up and playing through it. It feels like I've got a spike driven up my hell every time I put weight on my left foot. I have a hard enough time limping around the house, let alone running up and down the court. The thought of jumping on my left foot just about makes me pass out. The doctor said it was good news and bad news. Good in that it's not a broken bone, but bad in that it can take a long time to heal. I've got a bunch of exercises to do, and I'm supposed to take it easy and not walk steps. Of course I live in a 4 story townhouse, and I'm prepping said townhouse to put on the market. Anyone else been through this?
I feel for you bro. I got it a couple years back. invest in some good orthotics. Do you have flat feet?
that sucks man...the worst for me was shin splints and they hurt too... i heard that all you can really do for plantar fascitis is to give it time
I've had it on and off since September of 1997, and it's been in full force (more or less) for the last three years. I have to wear an expensive boot to bed, set at an angle so as to keep the tendon stretched while I sleep, and tape my left foot every day. It sucks. And it hurts. Worst? I haven't been able to play basketball for going on five years, after playing (on average) a good five times a week until I was 23. It's what did me in, all those years on pavement and concrete and blacktop and only icing my knee and/or Achilles down. The knee still hurts, but had I the foresight to consistently ice down my arch (even after being diagnosed with it ten years ago), I could probably still get past it. Now I'm older and fatter and can't do something that I love, even for a few minutes. It sucks horribly.
scribo i developed plantar fascitis about 5 or so years ago. i'm pretty sure it started from working in shoes my feet didn't like. even after i stopped wearing the shoes it took awhile for it to heal completely. i'd say a good 6 months or so. it got progressively better but good god it was freakin painful when it first started. just like a knife stabbing my feet every morning when i woke up. just remember to keep stretching your feet as often as you can. that is what helped me a ton.
I guess its a good idea for everyone to check out the podiatrists even if your feet don't hurt. If I had gone along time ago, I would have figured out I have flat feet and need arch supports. All those hoops games and running etc impacts your feet.
I had it several years ago. The worst pain was always in the morning when waking up. The best exercises for me was stretching and rolling a ball under your foot.
I was diagnosed with it 3 months ago in my left foot. I feel it throughout the day but in the morning it is the worst (I am sure it is the same for you). Keep on doing the stretching, it does help.
I had it about 10 years ago. It was the absolute worst pain in my life, I could BARELY walk, and when I did, I walked on the side of my foot. I was in 7th grade track, and it's weird that I got it at such a young age. It sucked though because my parents couldn't tell me what it was, my pediatrician just said, "oh, you must just have a sore foot" when I tried to explain the pain to her. I stretch my heel and calves religiously now. I have mild foot problems at times but nothing major. I'm just really sorry you have to go through that. For me it was a long time ago but I can still remember the awful pain.
Thanks for all the advice and stories. I am being diligent about stretching the calves and heels out and rolling a ball underneath the foot to stretch the tendons out. I've got an appointment next week with a podiatrist to see if I am flat-footed (I don't think I am) and see if there's anything else I should be doing. Hopefully it won't last as long as others have had it. I'm optimistic that if I am consistent in stretching, it won't be too severe. I do think this officially kills my chances of making the NBA. At 35, I've just about given up on that growth spurt that will take me to 6'6" (or even 6'1" ), and now with the gimpy foot, it's looking even dicier.
everyone gives me a hard time because I have "the Plantar" Doc gave me $400 inserts and they kinda help. cortisone shots in the heels...not as pleasant as it sounds. I felt awesome right afterwards but the next day i couldn't walk. I found doing calf raise exercises helps. i don't know if building the muscle helps or it's the stretching involved while doing the exercises but it seemed to relieve some pain. also, losing a little weight takes some of the stress away from the ligament. good luck
Ugh....got this horrid thing back in maybe 8th grade jr high basketball? Played through it for HS basketball...but then moved to Chicago, took the summer off, and when I tried out for the HS team here, the plantar came back with a vengence.....and wow....incredible pain man....i didnt even know what the hell it was, i just always thought that i was puss'n out....so i kept pushin it...thus makin it worse.....even now i dont have any sort of special pads or anything, but i dont play ball nearly as often....sorta stopped cuz of the plantar....but whenever i do, i stretch out and dont play for too long in fear of it coming back. It's like someones stabbing a knife in the bottom of your foot and pinching your nerves and cutting through them it's horrible, i remember when i was younger i'd have these spasms and just clutch my foot in pain. Still trying to find good running shoes or something so I can sorta get back in shape, but I'm afraid to tear it up again, and thus have held off. Anyone have any suggestions?
Is this the same thing as a Heel Spur? About 10 years ago in HS I had a pain in my left heel and a Doctor told me it was heel spur...the pain I had sounds the same.
You can buy some expensive orthodics like me and slip them in your running shoes. also consider swimming.
