Severe heel pain in right heel
 

I haven't had to see a foot doctor here in the Villages yet, but this is the third time plantar fasciitis has come back and this time is a doozy, I have rolled soup can under foot/heel, stretch exercises, had three cortisone shots a year ago, all which did nothing to make it go away. Last time, it took 9 months, had a 4 month break and bam! it is back again.

I think it is time to seek some medical help for this as walking is getting almost impossible and I think I have every orthodic insert for my shoes and none are working anymore.

Anyone know of a really good foot dr for this kind of thing? Need to make an appt. stat! Thanks!

Dr. Johnny Wu

I just had the same problem last week. I went to Tri county podiatrist, saw Dr Essery and the pain is gone. This medical office is the best I have ever been in, anywhere. They were prompt, nice and really seemed to care. I was referred for inserts and I will wear them. I understand the pain you are dealing with- intense!

Dr. Johnny Wu.

Gracie - whom do you recommend for the left heel?

I definitely understand your pain! Although I do not know of a podiatrist in TV I did have a procedure conducted about 6 years ago in NY. I do not recall what it was called but it took about an hour, not painful, and a machine was used to send pulses to the heel spur and the tendon. It did relieve the pain. My insurance did pay for the procedure as it was costly. It was my last resort after the injections no longer worked.

Thanks everyone who has responded, will be calling Dr. Wu and Dr. Esarey in the morning for an appointment. Will see who has availability sooner. Thanks so much.

Try the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville ,Dr. Wynn ( not sure of spelling)Foot ortho doc. He specializes in problem feet.

Stretch, don't wear sneakers, where a pair of shoes with a heal (western boots, etc.) also checkout MBT shoes, this all worked for me.

Sorry to hear of your pain. I 'feel your pain' - I had Plantar - out of the blue years ago. Believe it occurred after years of softball and not stretching well. Talk about pain - the typical Plantar pain when standing up and stretching the tendon. yikes. I went to a Podiatrist in Leesburg and after several visits he did the cortisone shot in the heel. As yucky as that sounds (I hate shots) it wasn't all that bad. After 3 treatments in 10 days, the 3rd did the trick - no pain after a week.

Well, it came back a year or so later, and had 2 more shots. That was 5 years ago - and zip since. No softball or running, but happy to rid of that pain.

Wish you the best and that your Dr does the trick.

I know this sounds crazy, but I swear it is the truth. I had planters. Shots. Inserts. I have literally lived in flip flops with tire soles for close to two years, and zero problems (knock on wood). The only thing that makes any sense at all is the soles cushion my heel first walk.

Villagers Joyce, I have found Oofos sandals, here is a youtube explaining them, but they are the only thing I get relief in walking when indoors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ppo1Vle6PEY They would be great at the pool too. Oh, I did make an appt. this morning, got Dr. Esarey as he was available the soonest.

You might suggest orthodic inserts. Rockport footwear was the best option for me. That was 1989, no problems since.

Tri County Podiatry is the best. Dr. Eseray is my doctor and I recommend him highly. Have also heard great things about Dr. Wu. You're in good hands.

You have my sympathy. The ligaments on the arch of my foot were stretched due to poor support of shoes. Mine eventually was treated by a cortisone shot ,tape and cast orthotic (to match my arch).

after all TIME WOUNDS ALL HEELS!

Have you found these locally? I'm really interested in trying these.

Joyce, yes, I got them at Paddock Mall in Ocala. The store I got them at is called "The Runner's Pace".

Folkh, never heard of MBT shoes, I searched them on computer, pretty neat, not sure about them, will wait to see what foot guy says, they kinda remind me of Altra sneakers, which I just could not like wearing, being a girl, they just weren't appealing to the eye, very different kind of shoe they both are. Guy at store had said his plantar's went away in two weeks wearing the Altra. Rated good, just didn't like the looks of them. Do you rock and roll with the MBT shoes? I mean that literally, not musically. LOL!

Plantar Solution
 

Take a normal bottle of water, pour some out and freeze it. Once it is frozen place it on the floor, rug preferred, and roll your foot over it for several minutes 3 times a day. Keep frozen and use as needed.

This should solve your problem . Let me know if it helps.

Also had plantar fascia problems years ago. Now having Achilles issues. Since then, I have not been able to wear anything flat, like flip flops. Always need good arch support. What helped me, along with taking many doses of Aleve with great success, was getting a boot to wear at night. The boot keeps the foot/ankle in 45 degrees which prevents the foot from dropping while you sleep, hence shortening the whole fascia and Achilles tendon. Whenever I have problems, I throw that boot on at night without reservation, and start stretching 2-3 times per day. Always does the trick. Icing frequently is also very important, to help decrease the inflammatory cells that congregate there. Good luck Debbie

I love wearing the MBT shoes have a pair for work and bought a pair of sneakers for walking. Seriously, try a pair if shoes with about a 1 1/2 - 2 inch heal instant relief for me. A PT told me to do it and it worked.

Villager Dude, I have an ice bottle in the freezer chilling, will let you know if that helps.
Thanks! Debbie

I have had plantar fasciitis (2) times total went to 3 podiatrists, 1 in Orlando, 1 in Clermont and then Dr. Felix Esarey....Dr. Esarey took care of it...stretch 30 times a day, use custom orthotics, injection in the right location, doe what the "Villages Dude" said to do with a pint bottle of water:BigApplause: AND if your overweight, LOSE THE WEIGHT......it works!

Thanks everyone for their input, I truly appreciate all the support and know I am not alone with it. Started the frozen water bottle roll today. Time will tell if that works. Been doing my stretches since it came back. Oh, I am not overweight, quite the opposite. Appt. Monday am with Dr. Esarey.

I start every morning with standing on a step drop my heals over the edge and slowly stretch out for 15 minutes or so, has worked for me for years, and give you practice on your balance. You can use a step for step class or the one coming in from your lanai

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I had plantar fasciitis for 3 years and tried numerous remedies one of which was sleeping in the boots that keep feet positioned at 90 degrees with legs, and it finally went away. Worse pain ever. I can't say exactly what cured it; all I can say is I think it is caused by walking bare foot on tile/concrete floors. I always wear supportive shoes on my tile floors now. People didn't walk on concrete in the past and I don't believe our feet were made to endure that punishment.

Dr. Wu..is wonderful..Tri County Podiatry..I had severe heel pain..was able to see sports med doctor when lived in CA..he said No injections in the foot because most of the time they don't work...Physical Therapy of stretching the calf muscles, pick up marbles with your toes, do 'toe' curls, ice on the heel area and riding a bike!! when you ride a bike you are stretching the calf muscles. First thing in the morning before you get out of bed..try and stretch the calf muscles with a 'towel' or T shirt..that will help..took me 3 months to get rid of it..shoes with support..NO Thong shoes.. SAS next to Best Buy has great shoes...go see 'Terry'...he is wonderful and very very helpful. Avoid bear feet until your pain is gone.

I too love my Oofos! I have been wearing them for about 2 years. I have them in every color, in duplicate...a pair for here and a pair up north. They are the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn. They feel like you are walking on a mushroom. I recently had surgery for a heel spur and these sandals were my saving grace. I have purchased all of mine at Shoe Biz in the Belk Plaza, or, Shoe Biz II in the Bed Bath Beyond Plaza. They have even ordered some in for me...very helpful folks! Good luck!

Thank you. I am very interested in trying these.

I had Plantar 11 years ago. went to a local podiatrist he injected steroid in heel and relief last about two weeks. Was planning a trip to Ireland and needed some relief. he prescribed the "Boot' and some $30 orthotics. Went to Ireland and those coblestone streets made it worse. Went to a Irish Podiatrist and he said the only thing that would help would be an orthotic that he would order after a plaster cast wast taken. I didn't have the time to wait for this orthotic but when I returned to U.S went to a different Podiatrist in Maine he also recommended the hard custom made orthotic $430. Although the plantar had subsided, posibly from the Boot or it just ran its course. At any rate I have been using these hard orthotics for past eleven years and have not had any problems since.

After reading all the above post and checking online about Oofos sandals I called the Racers Pave in Paddock Mall to inquire about them. Brendan was most helpful answering all my question. I purchased my women's size 11 Oofos in black. It is TRUE that they help stabilize your pronation and the arch is comfortable AND supportive. Actually, my muscles are now working properly by the correct alignment these sandals provide. I had to try them on rather then take chances by ordering online.. Having been " on toe" in the ballet corp for several years my toes and feet show the wear and need good shoes and sandals. The Oofos come in turquoise ,pink, blue and black at Racers Pace in the slip flop not in the slides. Oh if you " like them" on Facebook you get $2 off the $39 cost.

I understand we choose our doctors for their knowledge and skill, but how well do you trust their judgment? Dr. Felix Esarey had affairs with two of his employees at his clinic and one affair with a nurse from the surgery center he works at. Keep in mind, his then wife of ten years, worked in the same building with him all three times. He also filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy three years ago. He may come across as a kind, compassionate, upstanding individual, but his actions certainly do not reflect these qualities. Many of you will turn a blind eye and say, "None of this has anything to do with the care he provides" or perhaps, "Many doctors have affairs" and continue to reward him for this type of behavior. I say if he treats his own spouse and his employees in this manner...buyer beware.

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."

Was having a lot of foot pain and podiatrists weren't solving the problem. Asked my foot doctor to give me a prescription for physical therapy. Went to Advanced PT on county road 101 and they found the problem and really helped me. They also used the cold laser (no pain at all) and it reduced inflammation. The lady who does massages worked on the planters and tendonitis and made my life livable again.
Do ask for a prescription so M/Care helps in the payments. And I really believe in Advanced PT and their caring people.

It starts in your calf Massage,your calf good I had great success with a Chiropractor

25 years ago (age 52) I was running 25+ miles per wk and developed Plantar Faceitis. Talked to many who had the problem with little in successful remedies. Had a Podiatrist friend who examined me and said he could provide help with $400 orthodics, but he recommended going to shoe store and buying Spendco-Run Walk insert ($20 at that time). Found immediate relief and bought more for all my shoes.

Still using although price has risen ($30 now) Did not get similar results from other inserts.

I agree that the inserts help with it. One thing I've found is that mine returns if I wear out the shoes because the arch breaks down after wearing them steadily for several months. I replace my shoes often. Especially tennis shoes.

I had very bad pain in both heels and was scared to death of having the shots, so i wouldn't do it. The doctor gave me some pills that I later discovered were steroids, but they worked great. However, I did not want to keep taking steroids for the rest of my life...this was my solution and so far it has worked great (probably not for everyone). I NEVER wear a shoe with a heel (the heel just keeps rubbing on the back of my foot). Even sneakers, I wear the slip on sneakers with no backs or I wear sandals. I have been doing this for a couple of years now and I have had no pain at all in my heels. Haven't tried wearing regular shoes again so I don't know if the pain will come back or not if I do. I have been pain free for about 3 years now by not covering my heel with a closed shoe