Plantar Fascitis - What brand of orthotic shoe insert and/or shoe helped you?
 

I have recurring plantar fascitis. I know about the exercises and icing. I would like to find a shoe insert that works. I purchased two different brands at the store for this condition and they get a thumbs down. What ones have you found that work?

Also, I would love to find a woman's white tennis shoe (walking shoe)....preferably that didn't look like a runner's shoe. Anyone have one that actually works for this condition?

Birkenstock's Shoes actually helped cure my plantar's fasciitis many years ago. Several people recommended them to me and quite frankly I was turned off by both the looks and price of these shoes. I finally gave in and bought one pair of the two strap sandals.
They felt hard and uncomfortable at first but, after following a recommended schedule for wearing them, my condition corrected itself. I wore them one - two hours a day at first then, extended the time each week by another hour a day. Once I was able to walk normal again without pain, I made sure I never went bare foot and started using them rather then a slipper while at home.

I now wear FitFlops, which have provided the support and comfort I need.

I had medical orthotics made but it was the Birkenstocks that really made the difference.

Years ago I had the problem with my right foot. I had a custom orthodic made. At first, it felt like I had a potato in my shoe and after a few weeks it was built up even higher and after a few more weeks the problem was gone.

It was the best $110 (back in about 1995) that I ever spent.

Pure Stride.... I got them from Dr Wu at Tri-County. He added lift with little cookies which he cut out and installed. After having problems my entire adult life, I have been symptom free for over three years now. As you probably know, heel cushioning is the cure most people try....that doesn't work...have to raise the arch.

There were days I could barely walk even with brooks shoes and inserts. Foot and ankle ortho doctor took me out of orthotic’s. I use a step heals off the edge, drop the heals for few minutes a day. Stretching the plantar. Pain free for 9 years.

I feel sorry for you having this. I had it for several years. Tried all kinds of shoes including inserts. I even had the electric shock treatment on my arch. I discovered these Easy Spirit shoes. They make them in ties as well I believe. I did find that I had to throw them away and buy new ones about every 6-9 months because I wore them every day. When the arches break down it is time to replace them even if they still look good. I like that they are soft on the inside and are comfortable. Be sure to scroll down and read the reviews. I think you really need to try them on in a store rather than buying them on line. I find that because they come in so many colors sometimes they fit differently. I still love them though. They sell them at Beall's.

Amazon.com | Easy Spirit Women's Traveltime Mule | Shoes

Was a serious runner for 25 years and developed serious case of PF. Whet to a friend podiatrist who said" I can make custom orthodics for you-($400)" or you can go to the shoe store and by a Pair of SPENDCO Walk run inserts for $20 that will work just as well. For the last 15 years have bought a pair ($19.95) for each pair of shoes that I own. No PF pain since I bought the first set. Shoe Biz carries them in the TV area

Vionic
 

Makes a great tennis shoe. And I use the inserts from tri county as mentioned above. 2 shots, and constant inserts (or Vionic shoes) and I haven't had it come back.

I just bought some walking shoes from othofeet.com last week and already have great relief. Right now I wear them a few hours a day and you increase gradually.
There are coupons available online and shipping is free. Great selection.

I developed a serious case of plantar 8 years ago, mainly in my left foot - especially after playing softball in cold weather without proper stretching. It was almost debilitating especially after a night in bed and standing up OMG!. Tried everything, inserts, shoes, stretches, rolling cold cans under the foot etc. Finally went to a Podiatrist, and he prescribed a shot into the heel (OMG!). I think it was prednisone and pain killer. The first shot helped but not totally. The second, a month later - viola'. No pain since---did the trick for me. I grimace just thinking about that horrible plantar pain. BTW the shot was not all that bad - really.

Was very pleased with Dr Nick and highly recommend>

Central Florida Foot Care

Nicholas Przystawski, DPM
913 E North Blvd.
(US Highway 441)
Suite B
Leesburg, FL 34748

Phone: (352) 360-1360

Asics walking shoe is a miracle for plantar fasciitis. They have a lightweight walking shoe called metrolyte that great.
Amazon.com | ASICS Women's Metrolyte-W Walking Shoe, Mid Grey/Elfin Yellow/Aluminum, 6.5 M US | Walking
They also have a nice white shoe that I always have on hand.
Amazon.com | ASICS Women's Tumblina Cheer Shoe | Running

Years ago I got the diagnosis of P.F. and went to an ortho. dr. Got the shoe insert...worked for awhile then went back for a steroid shot (hurt A LOT). Was told the next thing would be surgery....told my chiropractor, who adjusted me and I've not had issues since. BUT go online and find the link for DAWG'S...they have sandals similar to Crocs but I think, cuter and they also have shoes. They will advertise their products are good for P.F.

Sometimes the orthotics don't work. Suffered for years with of, had inserts, cortisone shots. Finally I decided to se another podiatrist., I had surgery called TOPAZ, the most amazing thing ever! If you find that inserts don't cure your of, do the shots and then look for not that surgery if you need it. It is on YouTube also.

Great information from everyone. Thank you all. And if anyone else has something to add, please do so.

Most people even Drs don’t know that it starts in the calf I went to a wonderful chiropractor in Albany NY Dr Kim Keeling Sports Medicine. She wrote a paper on it. Massage your calf

Amen to the Birkenstocks. They cured my plantar fasciitis too! Ugly as they are, they are more acceptable than the nicest looking ortho shoes.

I’m suffering through this as well. Besides inserts, having good shoes for walking and wearing indoors is important. I went to shoe biz up by Spanish Springs. Several knowledgeable sales staff. Bought a pair of new balance tennis shoes and an Aetrex and Sas sandal. Spoke to Sas customer service on line and they told me exactly which sandals had the footbed to support this condition.

You should be evaluated by a reputable doctor. Dr. Kim with the Orthopedic Institute..

Stretching the calf muscles BEFORE you get out of bed is the first thing you should do. If your weight is a problem...that also can contribute. New Balance is very good. YOu need a shoe with 'motion control'..to keep your foot stabilized and good arch support.

If your problem is constant, see a good doctor to get evaluated. Physical Therapy cured me several times over the years..they know exactly what kind of 'stretching' your need for your particular body.

Many people overstretch and that too can just do damage to tissue..but do try The Orthopedic Institute..they have wonderful PT and doctors there.

Good Luck.

What exactly did the chiropractor "adjust"?

I second this and I have now owned one pair of my Birkis for over 20 years...

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I have suffered from PF for over 30 years.

Besides gently stretching my calves every chance I get (typically by using a curb)...I also taught my kids how to 'karate chop' my calves.

Although they used to roll their eyes when I needed it and asked them to do it...it was one of the best feelings in the world. :thumbup:


I have also owned and wear almost every day...a pair of New Balance '990 series' for over 30+ years.

New Balance 99X Series - Wikipedia


With the last few pairs of NB's, I've also purchased a set of inserts (and even added the soft/stick-on arch) from Tri-County Podiatry...with good results.

You need a cortisone shot

I've been wearing Vionic sandals/thongs for a while and they've helped. They have built-in arch support; it's not as good as other closed-toe shoes, but I'm in sandals 95% of the time.

I had PF for years but two things made me pain free. I saw podiatrists but finally brought it up with my family doctor. He told me to take the bottom half of a take out whole deli chicken container, fill it with ice water and let my heel rest in the ice water while my toes rested on the edge of the container out of the ice water. I had never been able to keep ice right on my heel like that for an extended time before. I used my own rectangular lock n lock containers instead of the deli chicken containers and let my heel rest in the ice water for 20 minutes a day. I felt relief immediately but it took a few months to where I no longer needed the ice baths. Then I switched to wedge heel shoes by Clark's. A physical therapist told me to always wear a wedge shoe and I do even in the house. The small lift in a moderate wedge heel doea the trick for me. Look for Clark Lexi footbed.

I have had the same condition for one year. A month ago I purchased shoes from Shoe Biz up by Best Buy near Spanish Springs. They have very knowledgeable staff. I bought a pair of New Balance tennis shoes, and 2 pair of Sandals for wearing out. 1 Sas and 1 Aertrex. They are stylish and very comfortable. I then bought a pair of Sas to wear inside the house all the time. It has only been about 4 weeks and my feet are 90% better. There are certain SAS footbeds specific for this condition. For a year I did stretching, icing but I never bought the right shoes. This seems to have solved it.

My wife loves SAS shoes so much, that during our last trip to San Antonio a couple of years ago...we had to make our first destination from the airport to their flagship store. :oops: