My Feet Are Killing Me
Here is the latest installment of the Midlife “What Could Go Wrong Now?” series.
One of the scourges of middle age is plantar fasciitis, a foot problem that hurts like the devil. It took me forever to get a correct diagnosis, so let me save you some trouble.
If you’ve been alive for the past 40 to 60 years and using your feet, chances are, you’ll get plantar fasciitis. It comes from wear and tear and aging. I went through it about 8 or 10 years ago.
How do you know if you have plantar fasciitis? The Mayo Clinic tells us:
Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in your heel? Or does your heel hurt after jogging or playing tennis? Most commonly, heel pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia — the tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. The condition is called plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing or burning pain that’s usually worse in the morning because the fascia tightens overnight.
I was lucky because my case was cured with some pain medicine in the first few weeks after diagnosis and some stretching. Then I started wearing rigid arch supports (see photo) in all my shoes. I must wear them for the rest of my life. Also, I rarely go barefoot because that is an engraved invitation to trouble. Stick with this stuff and you’ll be fine.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I’ve also read that its possible to wear the “padding” out on the bottom of your feet over time.
There is some correct plastic surgery.. actually implants.. to provide the needed relief. Now, who would have thought?
April 9th, 2007 at 11:56 am
I don’t have this thank goodness, I have enough problems!
April 9th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Mizmell: Hmm. Never heard that about the padding.
Akel: Just wait, just wait.
April 9th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I’m a fellow sufferer. Custom-made orthotics worn in running shoes works a charm for me. They say that cowboy boot work; I have a pair that I linedance in, and they really seem to be pretty good — for spurs at least.
April 9th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Anvilcloud: Finally, someone else who can relate! I use custom-made and store-bought. So far, I don’t see a difference.
April 9th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Oh joy! Something else to look forward to! Is there ever anything good??
April 9th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
With me it is bunions. And they are getting worse every day.
And we are not covered by insurance, and I am scared of surgery anyway.
Neither a pretty sight nor predicament.
April 9th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I got it about 15 years ago, in the summer, on vacation in Europe. It started hurting in Madrid. It killed by Barcelona. In Paris I was almost crippled. Then a month in Nice and walking on the rocky beach every day helped a bit to stretch out my feet. By the time I got back to London, it was bad, but not killer bad. I’ve never had it since. So my theory: walking on rocky beaches in the south of France, especially if you’re topless, helps!
April 9th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I’m one of the unlucky ones who couldn’t get rid of plantar fasciitis and didn’t want to live with it. So I had surgery in January. When I tell most people they say, “Really?, I didn’t know that they had surgery for PF.” They do and it’s not fun. That said, it’s been 10 weeks and I’m already back swimming, biking and running.
Oh yes, I’ve been wearing custom made orthotics since I was in my early 20s. But even with those one can get it if you are on your feet enough.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Linda: There is good stuff to growing older. Uh, gimme a couple of minutes. Let me think about it and get back to you.
Cilicious: I hadn’t thought of bunions. That’s worth a post one day. Good luck with that.
Margalit: You’re cured of it? Wow. I guess I need to go to the South of France.
Wesley: Oh, too bad you had to get surgery for plantar fasciitis. Glad you’re doing better. My orthotics keep it at bay, thank god.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I’ve never thought of off-the-shelf orthotics as an option. What’s the cost? What brand do you use? Is there anything in particular that I should know?
April 10th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Anvilcloud: The store-bought orthotics that I buy are known as rigid arch xupports (3/4 length). They are available in sports stores mostly. They seem to work fine for me. They cost about $27 or so for a pair. It’s a lot, but they last a while. I usually buy several pairs at a time because then you don’t have to keep switching them from one pair to the next. The brand I buy was bought out by another company. I’ve also gotten rigid arch supports at Foot Smart (online).
April 11th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Got the same darn thing – wearing my custom made orthotics all the time. The pain has eased up some, but it’s still there every now and again. I thought the orthotics would cure it from what the Foot Doc said…but there ya go!
April 12th, 2007 at 7:45 am
I wondered what that was called. I have to hobble on the toes of my right foot in the mornings because I can’t put my right foot down all the way without pain. It usually gets better within the first 5 minutes of moving around. I’ve worn arch supports in my shoes since my 20’s, so for over 20 years. Glad to have a name to go with my pain.
April 15th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
[...] We’ll have to walk away from the fairway to the car show. So Baby Boomer is showing Buicks because Boomers continue to love the cars they grew up with and drove in their teens. Man-O-Pause shows off more classic cars. Stop for a cup of tea at Your Drum. Yerba Mate a botonical used in South America by millions, as an infusion brewed in teas, has many healtful benefits. Yerba Mate induces mental clarity, sustains energy levels/reduces fatigue, boosts the immune system, aids in weight control and is now in a special Kiehls skincare collection. After all this walking it’s time to put your feet up at The Boomer Chronicles. Rhea says: by the time you get as old as I am, your feet have taken a beating. Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause incredible pain? You might have plantar fasciitis. The storytelling booth is sponsored by Contemporary Retirement. Do you have a story that you’re just bursting to tell? Do you want to preserve your family history and traditions or let the world know about your collection or hobby? Then head over to Contemporary Retirement for news of a new social networking site aimed specifically at boomers. The sun is shining bright and the temperature is mild so enjoy the Carnival and take your time! [...]
April 15th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
[...] After all this walking it’s time to put your feet up at The Boomer Chronicles. [...]
April 16th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
[...] Yerba Mate a botonical used in South America by millions, as an infusion brewed in teas, has many healtful benefits. Yerba Mate induces mental clarity, sustains energy levels/reduces fatigue, boosts the immune system, aids in weight control and is now in a special Kiehls skincare collection. After all this walking it’s time to put your feet up at The Boomer Chronicles. [...]