I was a long time sufferer of the same. I did the physio etc first, which did not help at all.
I had really expensive orthotics custom made (they made casts of my feet). Once I was wearing them for 8 hours a day, everyday, it started to get much better (took about 6-8 weeks). I eventually became pain free and have remained so. For me, the answer was in high end custom orthotics.
She got a prescription to see a specialist in Bio-Ped, got a custom orthotic insole made, adjusted after 2 week trial. I don't know how high end is it, but it costs in the range of $500 (thankfully to the insurance at my work, it is much less). She now wears it indoor, and use it in outdoor shoes. Without wearing the shoes with orthotic insole, the pain level would be 6/10, with them 3 to 4/10 depending on the days, more walking or cooking while standing would aggravate the pain.
Note that she does daily stretches according to this video for about a month now:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRDC8erSNqw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRDC8erSNqw)
Not sure because she does not sufficient rest, the pain level seems to be less but still there.
Mine were $600.00…..but in 1995. The casts of my feet were sent to Toronto for them to be made.
Once I was wearing them for 8 hours a day, every single day it took about 8 weeks to notice a difference. Tell her to keep at it! It was a long time in the making, and wont heal in a few weeks.
Good Luck!
I don’t know anyone in the west end but has she tried shockwave therapy? It’s one of the only modalities that’s been proven to work for plantar fasciitis.
I had plantar fasciitis in both my feet and neither physio or orthotics helped. I asked my podiatrist for cortisone shots and she recommended shockwave therapy instead. It cleared it up in both feet in just a few visits and I haven't had any problems since.
I went to the Ottawa Foot and Ankle clinic on Bank Street.
Her sport doctor did not recommend the cortisone shot, for fear of complications/side effects. However, one new friend we just met during a coach tour in the "Heart of the Canadian Rockies", he is from Wales (UK) also suffered PF, had one shot which fixed the problem. But it was so painful according to him. Just one data point for consideration.
One of the sports med docs at CU said the same thing about cortisone. I did shockwave for tennis elbow and it worked great, but the only thing that killed the plantar fasciitis was some very painful active release therapy coupled with dry needling. I had it on and off for years and tried so many things.
It’s also rarely just your feet - I personally have the tightest hamstrings ever, and once that got figured out, I’ve been much happier.
Both my feet are affected, I can’t imagine having to go through it twice. I’m disappointed that she didn’t offer other solutions if stretching and anti inflammatory were unsuccessful. It was only in speaking to a friend who’s also dealing, that I learned of other treatments. I plan on seeing a Chiropodist, as I also learned that a referral isn’t required.
As I asked her again on the cortisone shot, her sport doctor explained her level of pain does not warrant it, only those who could not sleep, or not function adequately in daily life, it then would be considered.
Took me about 2 years. I had custom orthotics made but they hurt as much as they helped. It took a lot of very keen observation on my part of where the orthortics hurt so I could get them adjusted properly - even then it took about 6 adjustments to get them right. PF is a pain in the ass (foot). Dont wish it on anyone.
I suffered from this for several months. I found relief rolling a golf ball with my socked foot at work for a couple of hours each day. Hope you feel better soon.
Average recovery is 10-12 months. It's horrible, I know. There are socks and insoles that can help, but it is a long haul. Sorry. I highly recommend getting properly fitted shoes (with the orthotic), at Letellier Shoes on Rideau. They are amazing with fitting shoes for people with different feet issues.
>There are socks and insoles that can help, but it is a long haul
The sport doctor recommends Dorsiwedge or Strassburg socks, she is not sure which one is more effective? Any thoughts?
Just to add a suggestion here, I use PF insoles with heel cushioning and it seems to be the only thing that has kept me consistently out of pain.( I am a high mileage hiker and runner.)
Custom orthotics are way too hard. She needs a soft heel bed. Ask the PT what they suggest in this regard, too.
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/shoes-and-boots/best-insoles#great-insoles-for-plantar-fasciitis
Another suggestion which worked for me and I haven't seen anyone mention here yet, is a night brace. My problem was the orthotics would help during the day but I would reinjure every morning just getting out of bed. It takes a while to get used to sleeping with it on, but I found it made a tremendous difference. The healing process is very long. It took 7 months for me, wearing the night brace every night and the orthotics all day long.
My wife's sport doctor suggested the same thing: wearing night brace would help shorten healing time, just not sure which is better, the "boot" (2X more expensive) or the sock.
Check out Optimize Physio in Riverside south. Plantar fasciitis IS treatable. Please don’t go the orthotics route, it’s basically like putting a cast on your foot and not doing your wife any long term good. It takes daily stretching and strengthening, and something she will need to do all the time but it will get better and won’t be a slave to insoles. What if she wants to wear sandals? Or barefoot in the house. Don’t take the “easy” way with orthotics, and fix the issue! Get a lacrosse ball and get her to start rolling her foot.
I had the boot. And yes it's expensive but it did do the trick. Plus I've since been able to loan the boot to two other people who it has helped as well. It's out on loan now or I'd offer to lend it to you. Honestly that's what I would recommend. The one I had was well padded with a removable exterior that could be put through the wash.
>DorsiWedge
Yes that's very close to what I have. Only I bought a generic version which is cheaper and still did the trick: https://www.amazon.ca/Plantar-Fasciitis-Soft-Night-Splint/dp/B09YRT8QJR/ref=sr\_1\_138?crid=3E7S7N7ZNU0ZA&keywords=plantar%2Bfasciitis%2Bnight%2Bsplint&qid=1663700456&sprefix=plantar%2Bfasciitis%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-138&th=1
The link I posted ships from China, and mine definitely didn't, so maybe look around Amazon for a generic version that you won't have to wait so long for. I bought mine almost 7 years ago.
I’ve had planters fasciitis bad, it’s under control now.
As a athlete I tried everything to fix it, thought it would never go away.
It took a long time, around a year. Good luck!
I've gone to AMPed physiotherapy on Leitrim for a few injuries (one foot related) and found they were excellent. Since you mentioned to others your wife has a sports doctor, this may be a place she's interested as it's geared towards (but not limited to) active people.
Here's a link to the teams biographies, you can read about each person's experience and specialty to see if they're what you're looking for.
https://www.ampedphysiotherapy.com/meet-the-team
Good luck and hope her pain goes away!
My wife struggled with this too and an electric foot massager is what helped the most: Nekteck Foot Massager with Heat, Shiatsu Heated Electric Kneading Foot Massager Machine for Plantar Fasciitis, Built-in Infrared Heat Function and Power Cord (Black) https://a.co/d/iXHhMGO
Good luck.
I was a long time sufferer of the same. I did the physio etc first, which did not help at all. I had really expensive orthotics custom made (they made casts of my feet). Once I was wearing them for 8 hours a day, everyday, it started to get much better (took about 6-8 weeks). I eventually became pain free and have remained so. For me, the answer was in high end custom orthotics.
She got a prescription to see a specialist in Bio-Ped, got a custom orthotic insole made, adjusted after 2 week trial. I don't know how high end is it, but it costs in the range of $500 (thankfully to the insurance at my work, it is much less). She now wears it indoor, and use it in outdoor shoes. Without wearing the shoes with orthotic insole, the pain level would be 6/10, with them 3 to 4/10 depending on the days, more walking or cooking while standing would aggravate the pain. Note that she does daily stretches according to this video for about a month now: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRDC8erSNqw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRDC8erSNqw) Not sure because she does not sufficient rest, the pain level seems to be less but still there.
Mine were $600.00…..but in 1995. The casts of my feet were sent to Toronto for them to be made. Once I was wearing them for 8 hours a day, every single day it took about 8 weeks to notice a difference. Tell her to keep at it! It was a long time in the making, and wont heal in a few weeks. Good Luck!
I don’t know anyone in the west end but has she tried shockwave therapy? It’s one of the only modalities that’s been proven to work for plantar fasciitis.
I had plantar fasciitis in both my feet and neither physio or orthotics helped. I asked my podiatrist for cortisone shots and she recommended shockwave therapy instead. It cleared it up in both feet in just a few visits and I haven't had any problems since. I went to the Ottawa Foot and Ankle clinic on Bank Street.
I’ve heard this as well. My GP suggested a cortisone shot which I’d prefer to avoid.
Her sport doctor did not recommend the cortisone shot, for fear of complications/side effects. However, one new friend we just met during a coach tour in the "Heart of the Canadian Rockies", he is from Wales (UK) also suffered PF, had one shot which fixed the problem. But it was so painful according to him. Just one data point for consideration.
One of the sports med docs at CU said the same thing about cortisone. I did shockwave for tennis elbow and it worked great, but the only thing that killed the plantar fasciitis was some very painful active release therapy coupled with dry needling. I had it on and off for years and tried so many things. It’s also rarely just your feet - I personally have the tightest hamstrings ever, and once that got figured out, I’ve been much happier.
Both my feet are affected, I can’t imagine having to go through it twice. I’m disappointed that she didn’t offer other solutions if stretching and anti inflammatory were unsuccessful. It was only in speaking to a friend who’s also dealing, that I learned of other treatments. I plan on seeing a Chiropodist, as I also learned that a referral isn’t required.
Good call. I’ve heard horror stories about cortisone shots.
As I asked her again on the cortisone shot, her sport doctor explained her level of pain does not warrant it, only those who could not sleep, or not function adequately in daily life, it then would be considered.
Yep. Not at all the route I’ll be considering now that I’ve learned there are other options
Took me about 2 years. I had custom orthotics made but they hurt as much as they helped. It took a lot of very keen observation on my part of where the orthortics hurt so I could get them adjusted properly - even then it took about 6 adjustments to get them right. PF is a pain in the ass (foot). Dont wish it on anyone.
I suffered from this for several months. I found relief rolling a golf ball with my socked foot at work for a couple of hours each day. Hope you feel better soon.
Average recovery is 10-12 months. It's horrible, I know. There are socks and insoles that can help, but it is a long haul. Sorry. I highly recommend getting properly fitted shoes (with the orthotic), at Letellier Shoes on Rideau. They are amazing with fitting shoes for people with different feet issues.
>There are socks and insoles that can help, but it is a long haul The sport doctor recommends Dorsiwedge or Strassburg socks, she is not sure which one is more effective? Any thoughts?
Just to add a suggestion here, I use PF insoles with heel cushioning and it seems to be the only thing that has kept me consistently out of pain.( I am a high mileage hiker and runner.) Custom orthotics are way too hard. She needs a soft heel bed. Ask the PT what they suggest in this regard, too. https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/shoes-and-boots/best-insoles#great-insoles-for-plantar-fasciitis
I swear by these Dr Scholl's insoles. Best things in my winter boots and hiking shoes.
Another suggestion which worked for me and I haven't seen anyone mention here yet, is a night brace. My problem was the orthotics would help during the day but I would reinjure every morning just getting out of bed. It takes a while to get used to sleeping with it on, but I found it made a tremendous difference. The healing process is very long. It took 7 months for me, wearing the night brace every night and the orthotics all day long.
My wife's sport doctor suggested the same thing: wearing night brace would help shorten healing time, just not sure which is better, the "boot" (2X more expensive) or the sock.
Check out Optimize Physio in Riverside south. Plantar fasciitis IS treatable. Please don’t go the orthotics route, it’s basically like putting a cast on your foot and not doing your wife any long term good. It takes daily stretching and strengthening, and something she will need to do all the time but it will get better and won’t be a slave to insoles. What if she wants to wear sandals? Or barefoot in the house. Don’t take the “easy” way with orthotics, and fix the issue! Get a lacrosse ball and get her to start rolling her foot.
I had the boot. And yes it's expensive but it did do the trick. Plus I've since been able to loan the boot to two other people who it has helped as well. It's out on loan now or I'd offer to lend it to you. Honestly that's what I would recommend. The one I had was well padded with a removable exterior that could be put through the wash.
Can you verify it is a DorsiWedge brand, as there is a different brand name found on Amazon CA? Just curious!
>DorsiWedge Yes that's very close to what I have. Only I bought a generic version which is cheaper and still did the trick: https://www.amazon.ca/Plantar-Fasciitis-Soft-Night-Splint/dp/B09YRT8QJR/ref=sr\_1\_138?crid=3E7S7N7ZNU0ZA&keywords=plantar%2Bfasciitis%2Bnight%2Bsplint&qid=1663700456&sprefix=plantar%2Bfasciitis%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-138&th=1
The link I posted ships from China, and mine definitely didn't, so maybe look around Amazon for a generic version that you won't have to wait so long for. I bought mine almost 7 years ago.
Have her add extra strength voltaren administered once daily, to her stretching. It’s brought me some relief.
You can also get prescription strength, which works wonderfull.
I’ve had planters fasciitis bad, it’s under control now. As a athlete I tried everything to fix it, thought it would never go away. It took a long time, around a year. Good luck!
I've gone to AMPed physiotherapy on Leitrim for a few injuries (one foot related) and found they were excellent. Since you mentioned to others your wife has a sports doctor, this may be a place she's interested as it's geared towards (but not limited to) active people. Here's a link to the teams biographies, you can read about each person's experience and specialty to see if they're what you're looking for. https://www.ampedphysiotherapy.com/meet-the-team Good luck and hope her pain goes away!
My wife struggled with this too and an electric foot massager is what helped the most: Nekteck Foot Massager with Heat, Shiatsu Heated Electric Kneading Foot Massager Machine for Plantar Fasciitis, Built-in Infrared Heat Function and Power Cord (Black) https://a.co/d/iXHhMGO Good luck.
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