What did you do about your fallen arches?

Stinsok · #1 12-24-2007, 09:13 AM

It sucks. I have been having heel pain and have had to limp around for the last 3 weeks. I went to the doctor and got a cortizone shot in my foot (ouch!) but I still have some pain. It directly affects my work and I am really worried about it!

Lesfunk · #2 12-24-2007, 09:19 AM

Have you tried orthotic inserts?

Pilgrim · #3 12-24-2007, 09:44 AM

Here's some info from one who has had foot and achilles problems for 10 years (getting old isn't for the timid)...

Don't ignore these problems. They won't get better. You probably need orthotics, and over-the-counter ones may or may not not do it. Spend the money to have a podiatrist or other foot specialist check your feet and tell you what's needed. Then DO IT. You have to walk on those things for many years, and if you don't take action now they will only get worse - this really puts a crimp in your life. If you need $500 orthotics, have them designed and buy them. If you can work with $30 over the counter orthotics, good for you! Hint: Lynco makes some good ones.

You may have to change the style of shoes you wear. I love western boots but havn't been able to wear them for 10 years because my orthotics won't fit in them, and if I spend a day on my feet without orthotics I can't walk the next day. So OK, chalk off the boots.

Take action on this. You need to do the right thing and not just keep guessing and buying Dr. Scholls' cheapie orthotics at the drug store. One reason I have chronic tendinitis in my achilles tendon is that I let it go for over a year thinking it would get better. It didn't, and I've been managing it - it will never go away - since 1998. All that doctor treatments have done is make it something I can live with.

flakeh · #4 12-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Here's some info from one who has had foot and achilles problems for 10 years (getting old isn't for the timid)...

Don't ignore these problems. They won't get better. You probably need orthotics, and over-the-counter ones may not do it. Spend the money to have a podiatrist or other foot specialist check your feet and tell you what's needed. Then DO IT. You have to walk on those things for many years, and if you don't take action now they will only get worse - this really puts a crimp in your life. If you need $500 orthotics, have them designed and buy them. If you can work with $30 over the counter orthotics, good for you!

You may have to change the style of shoes you wear. I love western boots but havn't been able to wear them for 10 years because my orthotics won't fit in them, and if I spend a day on my feet without orthotics I can't walk the next day. So OK, chalk off the boots.

Take action on this. You need to do the right thing and not just keep guessing and buying Dr. Scholls' cheapie orthotics at the drug store. One reason I have chronic tendinitis in my achilles tendon is that I let it go for over a year thinking it would get better. It didn't, and I've been managing it - it will never go away - since 1998. All that doctor treatments have done is make it something I can live with.

Big +1 to that.

I have the same thing in my left foot. I need to get new orthotics every 2 years. I can go a few days without wearing them, but them my knees start to hurt. Go to an orthodontist and get orthotics made! Sometimes health insurance will pay for some of it, but i'm not too sure on how your system works.

Don't ignore it! I've had foot problems since i was born, thats 16 years! I can't wear certain shoes becuase orthotics won't fit in em, but its a sacrifice I'd take anyday.

Pilgrim · #5 12-24-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flakeh

Go to an orthodontist and get orthotics made! Sometimes health insurance will pay for some of it, but i'm not too sure on how your system works.

Thanks for the affirmation, but in passing: er....an orthodontist works on teeth, usually applying such corrective appliances as braces.

I believe you're searching for the term "podiatrist".

And BTW - I take what podiatrists say with a grain of salt. Some of them are excellent and some of them are little better than quacks. If they start advocating foot surgery, call time out and get at least one more opinion from an orthopedic specialist.

Stinsok · #6 12-24-2007, 10:05 AM

I'm taking this very seriously. I am looking for any and all advice, etc. I have another appointment on the 7th. Cost is something I am not going to skimp on. I have to walk to be able to do my job!

Barkless Dog · #7 12-24-2007, 10:17 AM

Funny but I went down the same road with my Dr, he sent for shots & therapy, instead of recommending me to a foot Dr. I found out it was because they did not have one in their group/system!

I could not even walk barefoot it was so bad.

As soon as I went to a real foot Dr they made me a set of custom Orthodics which almost immediately took the severe pain away. Well fit Birkonstocks help for sandals

The other thing you have to do is stretch out your calf muscles daily on one of those angle boards you stand on. If the Calf muscles tighten they pull on your arch muscles causing then to tighten.

Barkless Dog · #8 12-24-2007, 10:20 AM

If you need help instantly, my Dr made some temporary pads by wadding up pieces of gauze squares then wrapped in gauze to fill your natural arch, without you weight on it.

That worked as soon as he did that!

flakeh · #9 12-24-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Thanks for the affirmation, but in passing: er....an orthodontist works on teeth, usually applying such corrective appliances as braces.

I believe you're searching for the term "podiatrist".

And BTW - I take what podiatrists say with a grain of salt. Some of them are excellent and some of them are little better than quacks. If they start advocating foot surgery, call time out and get at least one more opinion from an orthopedic specialist.

...You are correct.

flakeh · #10 12-24-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Thanks for the affirmation, but in passing: er....an orthodontist works on teeth, usually applying such corrective appliances as braces.

I believe you're searching for the term "podiatrist".

And BTW - I take what podiatrists say with a grain of salt. Some of them are excellent and some of them are little better than quacks. If they start advocating foot surgery, call time out and get at least one more opinion from an orthopedic specialist.

...You are correct. you'd think that it'd make more sense to call em an orthodontist, it has the root of orthotic right in it...

Vandelay · #11 12-24-2007, 10:56 AM

The way, the technical term for what you (probably) have is plantar facsciitis. You might Google it to do more research.

I went to a podiatrist a few years ago. He gave me a cortisone shot, which hurt like hell the first day or two, but then I had no pain in that foot for several weeks. We also had custom orthotics made, and I wear them probably 75% of the time. I haven't had any problems since then.

Jonesy4fnk · #12 12-24-2007, 11:00 AM

yoga...sounds crazy, but for me, it totally has helped me lift my arches again. Not to mention no more lower back pain, from a slipped disc years ago.

Pilgrim · #13 12-24-2007, 11:27 AM

The stretching is a very good idea for anyone! You want to stretch the leg by leaning forward toward a 45 angle, not causing extreme pain, but make the stretch last at least 30 seconds - it takes time for the muscles to relax, and you can deepen the stretch as they relax.

There's a chain of logic - when the calf muscles are tight, the ankle can't flex as far as it should. When the ankle doesn't flex far enough, then the rest of the foot has to flex more than it's designed to. So stretching helps relieve both the cause and the symptom.

I suggest you google "plantar fasciatis" and see if the symptoms match your problem. I've had it in one foot, and it was an effect, not a cause. But it hurts like hell and will severly restrict your actvvities. it's a very common problem, but it can be cured.

Cortisone is very cool stuff - once or twice. Prolonged use weakens the tendons and can cause major problems. So it's usually only used 1x or 2x to reduce very intense symptoms, then physical therapy/stretching is used to treat the real cause.

iamlowsound · #14 12-24-2007, 01:59 PM

NEVER skimp on shoes. This is something a lot of people don't understand. For my work boots, I will spend $300-400 on a pair of redwings because they are amazing and offer great support. For everyday wear shoes, I only buy one kind of shoes (globe skate shoes), because they have great arch support. My cheapest pair of shoes cost me $70 and they were on half price. Don't skimp on shoes, it isn't worth it.

lowsound

#15 12-24-2007, 05:16 PM

I have found some very good products such as inserts, shoes etc. for people with problem feet, from this company....www.footsmart.com You can request a catalog.

George

Pilgrim · #16 12-24-2007, 05:33 PM

Since I started having foot trouble, I wear one brand of dress shows: Ecco. But they retail in the $170 range per pair and I couldn't afford them if not for Ebay. For tennies, New Balance is the only shoe that consistently works for me. In each case, I yank out the insoles and substitute my orthotics.