The following are the filters currently being used. If there is nothing between the commas below, then all records are being shown. Questionnaires filled out after 10/07/2000 are not currently being shown.

	% Help	% Harm	Very harmful	Harmful	No Effect	Helped	Very Helpful	Score	Total Tried	Did Not Try
heelspurscom	87 .	1 .	5 0%	4 0%	136 12%	596 53%	394 35%	4.2	1135 20%	4614
ossatron	50 .	0 .	0 0%	0 0%	1 50%	0 0%	1 50%	4.0	2 0%	1793
rest	70 .	3 .	26 1%	83 2%	916 27%	1879 55%	491 14%	3.8	3395 59%	2354
ice	68 .	3 .	22 1%	65 2%	807 29%	1609 57%	322 11%	3.8	2825 49%	2924
tape	63 .	6 .	24 2%	53 4%	400 31%	606 46%	221 17%	3.7	1304 23%	4445
podiatrist	59 .	5 .	34 1%	86 4%	845 36%	1092 46%	298 13%	3.7	2355 41%	3394
self tape	57 .	5 .	12 1%	38 4%	371 38%	461 47%	94 10%	3.6	976 17%	4773
physical therapist	55 .	5 .	14 1%	37 4%	417 40%	460 44%	115 11%	3.6	1043 18%	4706
night splint	54 .	6 .	12 1%	35 4%	342 41%	335 40%	113 14%	3.6	837 15%	4908
shot	56 .	8 .	64 3%	99 5%	693 36%	767 40%	308 16%	3.6	1931 34%	3818
prescription other	53 .	3 .	3 1%	10 2%	208 44%	214 45%	39 8%	3.6	474 8%	5186
stretch calf	55 .	5 .	35 1%	121 4%	1306 40%	1541 47%	253 8%	3.6	3256 57%	2493
massage	57 .	6 .	27 1%	128 5%	1026 38%	1431 52%	114 4%	3.5	2726 47%	3022
stretch fascia	56 .	8 .	32 1%	144 6%	797 36%	1108 50%	153 7%	3.5	2234 60%	1518
orthotic	56 .	13 .	89 5%	166 8%	607 31%	836 42%	277 14%	3.5	1975 34%	3774
birkenstock	56 .	16 .	60 5%	139 11%	345 28%	473 38%	216 18%	3.5	1233 21%	4516
removable cast	49 .	8 .	7 2%	18 5%	142 43%	123 37%	38 12%	3.5	328 6%	5417
prescription	44 .	4 .	0 0%	2 4%	28 52%	19 35%	5 9%	3.5	54 61%	35
lostweight	45 .	1 .	3 0%	7 1%	575 54%	424 40%	63 6%	3.5	1072 19%	4677
otcpills	49 .	2 .	29 1%	40 1%	1602 49%	1422 44%	154 5%	3.5	3247 56%	2502
cox2 pills	47 .	6 .	32 3%	42 3%	581 47%	463 37%	120 10%	3.5	1238 22%	4427
ibu_pills	46 .	2 .	7 1%	15 1%	584 52%	472 42%	48 4%	3.5	1126 38%	1801
heat	51 .	7 .	30 2%	93 5%	774 42%	848 46%	90 5%	3.5	1835 32%	3914
acupuncture	39 .	3 .	3 1%	4 2%	133 58%	63 27%	27 12%	3.5	230 4%	5518
wedge	48 .	8 .	9 2%	25 6%	180 44%	162 39%	35 9%	3.5	411 7%	5211
spur removal	55 .	22 .	9 9%	12 13%	22 23%	31 33%	21 22%	3.5	95 2%	5565
theraband	47 .	6 .	12 1%	45 5%	467 47%	421 43%	44 4%	3.4	989 18%	4633
steroid	44 .	9 .	12 3%	27 6%	216 47%	148 32%	53 12%	3.4	456 8%	5204
ultrasound	41 .	4 .	6 1%	30 3%	536 55%	327 34%	68 7%	3.4	967 17%	4781
arch support	49 .	10 .	41 2%	130 7%	743 42%	751 42%	110 6%	3.4	1775 47%	1977
nsaid	44 .	8 .	23 2%	70 6%	579 48%	449 37%	88 7%	3.4	1209 21%	4451
insert w arch	48 .	11 .	52 2%	222 9%	1043 41%	1065 42%	151 6%	3.4	2533 44%	3216
soft pad	44 .	7 .	34 1%	136 5%	1253 49%	1026 40%	101 4%	3.4	2550 44%	3199
ortho surgeon	41 .	6 .	21 2%	32 4%	447 53%	277 33%	68 8%	3.4	845 15%	4904
aleve	38 .	2 .	4 1%	8 1%	347 60%	192 33%	28 5%	3.4	579 20%	2348
chiropractor	36 .	4 .	1 0%	19 3%	341 61%	162 29%	39 7%	3.4	562 10%	5187
epf surgery	50 .	22 .	9 9%	13 13%	28 28%	37 37%	13 13%	3.3	100 2%	5649
other surgery	49 .	18 .	5 11%	3 7%	15 33%	17 38%	5 11%	3.3	45 1%	5704
deep massage	51 .	24 .	127 7%	285 16%	437 25%	707 41%	186 11%	3.3	1742 31%	3918
other supplements	25 .	0 .	0 0%	0 0%	381 75%	103 20%	23 5%	3.3	507 9%	5241
other doctor	29 .	4 .	18 1%	42 2%	1152 68%	440 26%	52 3%	3.3	1704 30%	4045
aspirin	26 .	2 .	5 1%	7 1%	379 72%	127 24%	11 2%	3.3	529 18%	2391
fascia release	42 .	23 .	14 10%	18 13%	50 35%	42 30%	18 13%	3.2	142 3%	5518
hard cast	36 .	17 .	12 6%	22 11%	95 47%	57 28%	16 8%	3.2	202 4%	5547
nerve surgery	42 .	21 .	4 11%	4 11%	14 37%	12 32%	4 11%	3.2	38 1%	5584
glucosamine	19 .	1 .	1 0%	6 1%	606 80%	123 16%	17 2%	3.2	753 13%	4996
ibu_cream	22 .	2 .	3 1%	2 1%	175 76%	49 21%	2 1%	3.2	231 8%	2696
tylenol	20 .	1 .	6 0%	5 0%	1301 80%	306 19%	12 1%	3.2	1630 29%	4087
insert wo arch	31 .	13 .	69 4%	181 10%	1042 56%	538 29%	46 2%	3.2	1876 33%	3873
magnet	20 .	5 .	10 2%	16 3%	430 76%	97 17%	15 3%	3.2	568 10%	5181
firm pad	30 .	18 .	64 5%	169 13%	652 51%	337 27%	47 4%	3.1	1269 22%	4480
other ESWT	17 .	8 .	0 0%	1 8%	9 75%	2 17%	0 0%	3.1	12 1%	1783

Averages and Distribution:

	Average	50-99	100-149	150-199	200-249	250-299	300-349	350-500
Weight:	187	29	1009	2537	1423	397	81	27
		15-20	20-25	25-30	30-35	35-40	40-45	45-70
BMI:	29.4	146	1271	1874	1156	597	248	131
		0-10	10-15	15-20	20-25	25-30	30-40	40-70
Dorsifl. Angle:	25	40	168	365	289	205	242	146
		10-20	20-30	30-40	40-50	50-60	60-70	70-80
Soleus Angle:	39	29	37	133	194	28	3	1
		0-2	3-5	6-11	12-17	18-23	24-47	48-250
Months with it	18	906	898	1347	756	285	806	569
		0	1	2	3	4,5	6,7,8,9	10-29
Doctors seen:	1.6	1186	1963	1326	554	287	89	32
Num Shots:	1.2	3251	615	547	275	309	209	82
		10s	20s	30s	40s	50s	60s	70-100
Age:	42	82	655	1654	1886	1019	215	45

The list below are the results for the multiple-choice questions. The format below is question => answer. The flat foot and high arch categories do not "add up" because there are two questions about the arch type and the first one below is new. The retail answer for bad job was added at record 1427. The distance question was added at record 1440. The time on feet question was added at 1480.

	1150200000%		11502	Show These	Exclude These
" => Number of Responses:	100%		1	Number of Responses:&a2= &a3= &b1=qxz&b2=qxz&b3=qxz">Show These	Number of Responses:&b2=qxz&b3=qxz">Exclude These
" => "	100%		1	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => Number of Responses:	100%		2782	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => a fair amount	17%		479	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => a lot	20%		553	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => lost job	3%		84	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => no job	9%		251	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => some	20%		565	Show These	Exclude These
affect_job => very little	31%		850	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => Number of Responses:	100%		2845	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => a fair amount	28%		800	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => a lot	34%		981	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => devastating	12%		333	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => some	20%		558	Show These	Exclude These
affect_life => very little	6%		173	Show These	Exclude These
arch => Number of Responses:	100%		4832	Show These	Exclude These
arch => flat foot	20%		957	Show These	Exclude These
arch => high arch	28%		1371	Show These	Exclude These
arch => normal	41%		1996	Show These	Exclude These
arch => unknown	11%		508	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => Number of Responses:	100%		5613	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => k-12 teacher	7%		379	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => no	60%		3347	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => nurse	6%		350	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => other 6 hours on feet	21%		1191	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => postal carrier	1%		29	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => retail (sales clerk, etc)	4%		235	Show These	Exclude These
badjob => waiter/waitress	1%		82	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => Number of Responses:	100%		5646	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => No	24%		1382	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => No+	29%		1635	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => Sort of	4%		230	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => Yes	18%		1019	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => Yes+	20%		1116	Show These	Exclude These
both feet => sort of+	5%		264	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => Number of Responses:	100%		5656	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => aerobics.	2%		114	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => changed activity.	3%		160	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => changed shoe.	4%		207	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => increased activity.	9%		533	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => other.	7%		387	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => running.	12%		668	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => stair climbing.	0%		28	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => sudden injury.	5%		264	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => unknown.	37%		2110	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => walking.	14%		780	Show These	Exclude These
caused by => weight gain.	7%		405	Show These	Exclude These
crawl => Number of Responses:	100%		2842	Show These	Exclude These
crawl => No	84%		2386	Show These	Exclude These
crawl => Yes	16%		456	Show These	Exclude These
depressed heel => Number of Responses:	100%		2687	Show These	Exclude These
depressed heel => maybe	25%		659	Show These	Exclude These
depressed heel => no	55%		1466	Show These	Exclude These
depressed heel => yes	21%		562	Show These	Exclude These
depressed other => Number of Responses:	100%		2681	Show These	Exclude These
depressed other => maybe	20%		532	Show These	Exclude These
depressed other => no	61%		1641	Show These	Exclude These
depressed other => yes	19%		508	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => arthritis in back			222	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => arthritis in foot			195	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => carpal tunnel syn			386	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => cracked heels			139	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => diabetes			130	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => flat foot			760	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => heel bursitis			117	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => heel spur			1565	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => high arch			961	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => nerve entrapment			141	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => osteoarthritis			214	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => other			397	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => over-pronation			621	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => plantar fasciitis			3314	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => sciatic nerve			328	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => stress fracture			125	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => tarsal tunnel syn			85	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => tennis elbow			181	Show These	Exclude These
diag. => thin heel pad			110	Show These	Exclude These
distance => Number of Responses:	100%		4163	Show These	Exclude These
distance => between 10 and 100 yards	25%		1054	Show These	Exclude These
distance => between 100 yards and 1/2 mile	19%		794	Show These	Exclude These
distance => less than 10 yards	34%		1432	Show These	Exclude These
distance => over 1/2 mile	21%		883	Show These	Exclude These
high heels => Number of Responses:	100%		2640	Show These	Exclude These
high heels => No	84%		2220	Show These	Exclude These
high heels => Yes	16%		420	Show These	Exclude These
hurts to touch => Number of Responses:	100%		5466	Show These	Exclude These
hurts to touch => No.	11%		620	Show These	Exclude These
hurts to touch => Yes.	69%		3747	Show These	Exclude These
hurts to touch => sort of.	20%		1099	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => Number of Responses:	100%		5638	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => 24hrs a day	37%		2086	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => during morning	12%		667	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => other	5%		282	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => running	2%		123	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => standing	3%		165	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => standing & walking	36%		2029	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => standing/walking	0%		9	Show These	Exclude These
hurts when => walking	5%		277	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 1 ball			450	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 10 all			216	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 11 entire center			441	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 12 deep in arch			141	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 2 lateral arch			332	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 3 center arch			381	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 4 medial arch			805	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 6 front heel			2075	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 7 center heel			2990	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 8 front inside heel			2435	Show These	Exclude These
image. => 9 back heel			1975	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation =>	0%		1	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => Number of Responses:	100%		5624	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => Maybe-	30%		1680	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => No-	15%		832	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => Yes- but its	0%		1	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => Yes- but its not visible	38%		2142	Show These	Exclude These
inflammation => Yes- its visible	17%		968	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => Number of Responses:	100%		5499	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => hard to say/other	2%		111	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => mostly sitting	31%		1732	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => mostly standing	7%		401	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => mostly walking	5%		256	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => mostly walking or standing	25%		1379	Show These	Exclude These
job1 => varied	29%		1620	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => Number of Responses:	100%		2647	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => changed shoes	7%		194	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => combination	24%		637	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => gained weight	12%		316	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => had been depressed	4%		108	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => increased activity	24%		623	Show These	Exclude These
just before it began => none of these	29%		769	Show These	Exclude These
much worse in morn => Number of Responses:	100%		1457	Show These	Exclude These
much worse in morn => no.	29%		424	Show These	Exclude These
much worse in morn => yes.	71%		1033	Show These	Exclude These
pain level sit => Number of Responses:	100%		4142	Show These	Exclude These
pain level sit => Mild	43%		1792	Show These	Exclude These
pain level sit => Moderate	25%		1041	Show These	Exclude These
pain level sit => Severe	6%		253	Show These	Exclude These
pain level sit => none	25%		1056	Show These	Exclude These
pain level walk => Number of Responses:	100%		4143	Show These	Exclude These
pain level walk => Mild	21%		862	Show These	Exclude These
pain level walk => Moderate	47%		1929	Show These	Exclude These
pain level walk => Severe	29%		1206	Show These	Exclude These
pain level walk => none	4%		146	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Number of Responses:	100%		4134	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Dull	11%		475	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Numb	1%		46	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Sharp	37%		1512	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Stone Bruise	32%		1321	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Throbbing	17%		700	Show These	Exclude These
pain type => Tingling	2%		80	Show These	Exclude These
sex => Number of Responses:	100%		5645	Show These	Exclude These
sex => Female	71%		3992	Show These	Exclude These
sex => Male	29%		1653	Show These	Exclude These
shot hurt => Number of Responses:	100%		5745	Show These	Exclude These
shot hurt => Horrific	8%		485	Show These	Exclude These
shot hurt => Not too bad	14%		781	Show These	Exclude These
shot hurt => Pretty bad	12%		680	Show These	Exclude These
shot hurt => no injection	66%		3799	Show These	Exclude These
someone close => Number of Responses:	100%		2638	Show These	Exclude These
someone close => leave	4%		105	Show These	Exclude These
someone close => none of the above	84%		2228	Show These	Exclude These
someone close => pass away	8%		206	Show These	Exclude These
someone close => severely ill	4%		99	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => Number of Responses:	100%		2636	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => I cant stand that long	3%		83	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => mild	32%		842	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => moderate	37%		985	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => none	9%		247	Show These	Exclude These
standing 5 min => very	18%		479	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => Number of Responses:	100%		3948	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => 1 to 2 hours	9%		357	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => 15 to 30 minutes	15%		601	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => 2 to 4 hours	7%		282	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => 30 minutes to an hour	14%		567	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => 5 to 15 minutes	20%		794	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => Less than 5 minutes	26%		1026	Show These	Exclude These
time on feet => over 4 hours	8%		321	Show These	Exclude These
time_surg => Number of Responses:	100%		150	Show These	Exclude These
time_surg => 0-3	36%		54	Show These	Exclude These
time_surg => 4-6	12%		18	Show These	Exclude These
time_surg => 6-12	16%		24	Show These	Exclude These
time_surg => over 12	36%		54	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => Number of Responses:	100%		1721	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => I cant walk that long	3%		51	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => mild	29%		502	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => moderate	37%		641	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => none	8%		138	Show These	Exclude These
walking 5 min => very	23%		389	Show These	Exclude These
wheelchair => Number of Responses:	100%		2651	Show These	Exclude These
wheelchair => No	95%		2526	Show These	Exclude These
wheelchair => Sometimes	1%		24	Show These	Exclude These
wheelchair => Yes	4%		101	Show These	Exclude These
which foot => Number of Responses:	100%		5415	Show These	Exclude These
which foot => Left	45%		2427	Show These	Exclude These
which foot => Right	41%		2216	Show These	Exclude These
which foot => both equal	14%		772	Show These	Exclude These
worse in morning => Number of Responses:	100%		5245	Show These	Exclude These
worse in morning => no.	15%		762	Show These	Exclude These
worse in morning => yes.	85%		4483	Show These	Exclude These

Only the 1st 50 or so comments are shown:

doctor actions 1st visit= x-ray,custom orthotic,tried to give shot i said no (poditrist) 2nd doctor (poditrist) wanted to operate took x-ray 3rd doctor (ortho surgeon) x-ray,examine foot, take tylenol and stretch and wear arch supports 4th doctor same as 2nd doctor 5th doctor night splint, anti inflamatory, stretch and he said that if after a year he would consider surgery if i wanted to try it.

doctor actions 1st doctor-general practioner-prescribed motrin-no change 2nd doctor-orthopedist-prescribed over the counter inserts-no change 2nd doctor-injection-pain relief for one year 2nd doctor-injection-pain relief for six months 2nd doctor-two injections-pain relief for three months 2nd doctor-nothing else to do 3rd doctor-custom orthotics & taping-relief for both feet for six mos. 3rd doctor-major flare up with right foot-3 injections-50% relief 4th doctor-Dynasplint for right foot-major improvement after six weeks 4th doctor-continue with Dynasplint

comments I participated in different types of aerobic classes including step aerobics when pain developed after fifteen years of this type of activity. I also walked and hiked. Drastically reduced physical exercise and gained over forty pounds. Weight undoubtedly aggravates the condition. Unable to lose weight with stationary bicycle and weight training but plan to continue anyway for general health benefits.

doctor actions Symptoms are equal in both feet. 1st visit alieve, stretching, icing, night splints, sent to PT and told it was,"imortant to stay on my feet as to keep the fascia stretched out" so I con't to work double shifts 3x a week until month #5 when after two hours of work I could not take another step and have not been back to work since. Then 2 bouts of casting, 7 cortisone shots, 2 custom orthotics, 2 EPF surg. in months 11 and 16 (they did not believe they cut enough the first time)and 2 more bouts of PT. I have sent my records up to Toranto and am waiting to hear back from them. I just recently bought a rooling/kneeding foot masager I use almost daily and am waiting on my SDO custom orthotics to arrive.

comments I listed ice as being very helpful. Actually I was addicted to it. It was a quick fix for the pain and it made my feet comfortably numb and I over did it. I ended up with a constant painful stinging tingle that ran the bottom of my feet that I could only get rid of by icing. I gave myself frostbite and after quitting ice cold turkey the painful constant stinging subsided after about 2 weeks. So to all those who like ice, be careful and stick to only 15-20 min. at a time.

doctor actions 1st visit to pod. taping right foot 2nd visit injection taping successful 3rd visit for left foot taping 1st visit to ortho. x-ray (heel spur)injection extremely painful, eventually pain subsided 1st visit several months later to 2nd pod. injection orthotics Naproxen stretches 2nd visit Voltaren 3rd visit PT ordered 1st visit to PT stretches, ultrasound, icing 2nd visit (painful) 3rd visit (excrutiating) PT canceled, 4th visit to pod. pending

doctor actions 1st visit GP anti inflammatorys rest for 2 weeks cast shoe ace bandageand x-ray.2nd visit physical therapy 4 weeks off work and a walking cast.3nd visit stay in walking cast and more pt and casting for orthodics.

comments My symptoms are morning pain before I get out of bed.numbbing in my foot severe arch pain.tingeling in my foot from big toe to arch and under ankel.burning sensation in foot.

doctor actions First podiatrist Jan. 88 - x-ray negative,he concentrated on back of heel with massage, ice, inserts, anti-inflammatories. No help. 2nd podiatrist Dec. 88 - diagonosed plantar fasciitis with over-pronation. Custom orthotics (repeatedly adjusted and changed over years), ice, anti-inflammatories. Orthotics only real help I've had. Two series of cortisone injections by pod. and one by rheumatologist '89 and '90. Length of short-term relief decreased with each. Physical Therapist '89 - ice, ultrasound, massage, stretching,strengthening. No help. Orthopedic surgeon '91 - partial pf release surgery. No help. Orthopedic surgeon '93 - 3 months rest and one month cast on one foot. No help. Repeat surgery '94. No help. 3rd Podiatrist. Continuing with orthotics. Sports Med. Dr. Sept. 99. X-ray (neg), bone scan (neg), ultrasound imaging (inflammation and pf 8 mm thick). Ossatron shockwave procedure Oct. 99. Waiting for result. Chiropractor Nov. 99 - ART treatments. Continuing.

comments As I said, custom orthotics only help I've had - without them I could not walk. Icing and stretching and rest only other aids to relief pain, unless the shockwave therapy works. I think little of surgery, not because of invasive nature of it or the pain, but because it was entirely useless for me.Some posts to this site have tried to describe a "chronic" type of pf. I'm obviously a very long-term sufferer, but find my syptoms are not unique to others. My morning stiffness/pain is especially bad and discouraging.

doctor actions IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LIST ALL OF THE TREATMENTS I HAVE HAD FROM DR'S BUT I WILL SAY SADLY "NOTHING HAS helpED SO FAR"

doctor actions 1st visit x-ray and discussed referred to sports medicine dr. 2nd visit observed me walking "equestrian" foot stretch exercises 3rd visit given night splint and referred to phys. therapist 4th visit physical therapist ice, ultrasound w/cortisone cream, exercises for stretching calves, both feet taped, custom orthotics after inflammation goes down

doctor actions 3 sets orthotics made (plastic, cork, cork) no help cortizone injections in both feet (one each) no help stretched calf muscles (regularly) no help lost ten pounds no help massage of peroneal muscles (six months)no help accupuncture (2 sessions) no help strengthened hip muscles no help deep tissue massage to bottoms of feet (2 months) -- helped but seemingly temporary ultrasound to bottoms of feet -- helped? currently ART and ultrasound (2x week) -- definitedly helps but maybe only temporary? Tests: x ray -- no bone spurs, normal, high archesbone scan -- negative ultrasound -- normal thickness of fascia on both feet

comments Pain began when catering very long hours on hard floors. Not typical AM pain in morning. Pain increases from standing and walking. Pain is diffuse across bottoms of both feet, not specific to heel. Pain has not gotten worse from beginning (four years ago) but not better. Currently, Active Release Therapy (essentially deep intense tissue massage) to bottoms of feet seems to break scar tissue. I can walk farther distances and stand a little longer, but uncertain if this complete cure or temporarily loosens the scar tissue down there. Wondering if I have tarsal tunnel syndrome as other people with similar symptoms have posted recently.

doctor actions 1st= visit x-ray, 2nd= custom made ortho and shot 3rd= ortho fitting and shot

comments someone mentioned heat pad before getting out from bed which reducing the first step pain. tried and worked, so used heat pad all night.OMG!such a severe pain all day long.

doctor actions xray heelspur, primary care-casual in advice-ice,stretch,1 shot,no real helpful

comments Convinced sciatic has role in some heel pain. Stretching important.

doctor actions GP = x-ray showed no heel spur (seemed out-of-focus); prescribed 21 day course of diclofenac - helped a little but made me nauseus. podiatrist took x-ray - showed heel spur in right foot; wanted to try cortisone injections - I declined; prescribed $400 custom molded rigid orthotics - they helped, but I gave up trying to get them to adjust the left one so it was comfortable - I still wear them.

doctor actions 1.x ray taping 2. Cortisone 3. more taping 4. more taping 5.night splint 6.physical therapy, massage, ultrasound 7.iontotherisis 8.nuerologist bone scan. 9.reumotologist 10.pain clinic 11.Viaxx To date nothing has helped at all.

comments Pain begin 16 months ago with tightness in arch then got worse by the week. Now pain is severe. After just 10 minutes my feet feel like I've been on them for the last month. Pain travels from feet, into ankes, up the back of my legs and into lower back. Pain can be throbbing, spasms, burning, tight, sensitive to touch.

doctor actions 1st visit- x-rays relafen streching and icing 2nd visit - cortizone shot 3rd visit cortizone shot 4th visit cortizone shot switched to daypro 5th visit cortizone shot 6th visit switched to orthopedic more x-rays 7th visit orthotics 8th visit mri 9th visit night splints 10th visit 2nd podiatrist cortizone shot and swithched to suldinac 2weeks later hospitalized for bleeding intestins due to the anti-inflammatories 11th -20th visits ultra sound and two more shots!! 21st visit 3rd podiatrist cam walking boots, a bunch of blood tests and one more shot. 22nd visit CT scan 23rd visit tri-phase bone scan 24th -29th visit physical thearpy 30th visit neurologist put on neurontin and more blood test 31st visit ice thearpy machine 20 mins a night 32nd visit nerve conduction test on one foot 33rd visit out of cam walking boots 34th visit rhuemotologist ruled out osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and reiters syndrome 35th visit back to the neurologist for nerve test on other foot left out other visits which were just re checks and nothing much happened!!!!! more to come............................

comments dont waste time on drs that dont seem to care for the pain you are in, move on to one who will listen and send you for the right test to rule out other things which may be going on. dont let them think you are crazy. i know my dr didnt really believe me till one day i was in so much pain (went to see him straight from work on my feet 8 hours) when he hit the spot and i hit the ceiling he said wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i guess you do have PF. one dr out right told me there was nothing more he could do for me. but i think i have fianlly found one who listens to me and understands the pain i am in. dont give up!!!!!

doctor actions Only saw one doctor, was diagnosed by symptoms alone. Took Naprolan with little effect. Being a nurse and knowing that medicine will not stop till they've tortured you in every way possible, I decided to treat myself. I found this website and used the info available and through trial and error, have found what works best for me.

comments What worked for me was rest, dorsiflexion/plantar stretching before weight bearing in the am, weight bearing without moving for about 5 minutes ( i just stand at the bedside without walking upon rising), never ever going barefoot, Tylenol XS daily, Tylenol with Codeine when the pain is very bad, and very hot foot soaks. I found that keeping my feet warm all the time has also helped. I do stretches in the shower while the hot water is on posterior calves.

doctor actions 1st pod visit stretching, ice, night boot, naproxyn, store bought orthotics. 2nd pod visit custom orthotics--made pain worse but told me to continue wearing. 2nd pod 1st visit--normal gait, high arch told me "unclassic specimen" for PF. Accupuncture visit (8 times) told me to not wear orthotics and improved from pain of "8" to a "2-3"!! 1st Rhumetologist--no arthritis. 2nd Rhuemtologist diagonosis--Spondylarthapy (sp?)an arthritis that does not have to have a blood test that confirms the diagonisis. (I don't believe I have this despite the diagnosis.) Took tons of anti-inmflams all made me sick no foot improvement. Ortho doc--no help. EMG test showed "slight nerve impairment" Neurologist ordered MRI--as of yet no results.

comments I was a marathon runner and developed what I think is PF 3 weeks before marathon. I ran it anyway with the PF. I do not have "traditional" PF pain(no a.m. pain or pain on first steps when sitting for long periods of time, pain is not necessarily on base of heel.) I have described my pain as "diffuse arch pain that is a deep burning achy feeling". Not burning like hot but "DEEP burning/aching pain" in both feet. I have often said to people that it feels like I have been on my feet for three days straight after only being on them for 10 minutes. I can walk relatively pain free but it is day to day activities like, grocery shopping, making dinner, cleaning, standing in a line (for anything) basically standing in one place for long periods of time KILLS ME. My pod has said "I am an unlikely candidate for PF because I have a very normal gait and not an extremely high arch." I found that ORTHOTICS made my condition worse. Anything that presses on my arch area aggrevates the condition quickly. I have also found that going BAREFOOT (yes BAREFOOT) on carpeted areas helps a TON! Also hiking boots and platform shoes with no arch support that don't bend very easily allows me to stand for longer periods of time. Also varying different shoes through out the day has helped some. I have found best form of exercise (that doesn't aggrevate it) is the elliptical trainer. I know this sounds counter intuitive because you are basically standing in one place, but it works for me. Running for about 10 minutes is the extent to which I can run without aggrevating it--by that I mean I have found that running for 30 minutes result in pain 2 days after the run. Go figure?!but I have been dealing with this now for 15 months. My take on orthotics, "if they still cause pain after break in period or makes it worse--they aren;t working" Especially for people with "normal foot mechanics".

doctor actions Orthopedic surgeon injected R hip bursitis with cortisone x2 to correct gait. GP injected R calf with cortisone. Xray showed heel spur. Heel injected with cortisone x3. Enough cortisone!

comments No doctor has helped. Birkinstocks helped alot.

doctor actions orthopedic surgeon was a joke-had no idea what the prob was. went to podiatrist, 1st visit cort.shot-temporary relief, 2nd visit-cort shot-temp relief, 3rd visit-cort shot-temp relief, 4th visit-same shot.no more shots. tried taping, felt better. been on celebrex for 3 weeks, can feel the moderate relief. No more flat shoes, 1 inch heel at least makes the pain subside. trying to loose weight.

doctor actions 1st visit primary dr. ibuprofen drugstore inserts 2nd visit podiatrist cortisone injection generic inserts night splint 3rd visit DayPro custom orthotics 4th visit EPF surgery recommended which I canceled after finding heelspurs.com and beginning stretching icing etc. for the first time

comments Study heelspurs.com and educate yourself as thoroughly as possible before going to doctors; question doctors til the cows come home; insist on trying every reasonable conservative treatment before even talking about surgery; if the doctor never mentions or pooh-poohs self care such as stretching and icing, and shows no interest in your footwear or activities that affect your feet, Leave That Doctor;if it hurts your foot, stop doing it; swallow pride and use cane and store scooters to prevent more injury.

doctor actions 1st visit--(podiatrist)x-rays, stretching exercises; 2nd visit--removable cast (6 weeks); 3rd visit--cortisone shot; 11 visits to 2 different acupuncturists was no help; 15th and 16th visits--(new dr. ortho)foot strengthening exercises and 2 mos. of physical therapy, finally some relief but no cure; 10 visits to chiropracter was no help; currently in mild pain, maybe 65% relief from my worst days; have been on Vioxx for back pain and this helps pf; believe I must keep up the exercises as I have been slacking off lately; also believe I must lose another 40 pounds.

doctor actions Tried OTC heel pads with athletic shoes for awhile
hurts badly the day after tennis
sometimes my ankle and foot hurt also
doctor prescribed magnetic therapy - did not help after 1 mo.
afraid of injections - doctor is not convinced they work
just started stretching

comments Should I totally give up playing tennis?? This really seems to aggravate the problem.

Is there any way to keep active (not swimming) and heal this condition?

doctor actions 1. Podiatrist shot me up with cortisone 5 times. Got continually worse, and he said surgery was next step. Did not recommend stretches, rest, or ice.
2. Orthopedic doctor gave me night splint, extensive stretches, celebrex and lots of encouragement. Pain is minimal now, just a hint at times to remind me of problem.

doctor actions 1 10/98 taping & daypro over the counter orthotics and heel pads.
2 11/98 cortisone in left heel, no effect.
3 12/98 custom orthotics, helped a little.
4 4/99 did 4 weeks physical therapy, heat, ice, ultrasound, stretching, no effect.
5 6/99 new doctor altered custom orthotics to increase arch support
6 7/99 cortisone shot in both left and right heels, very helpful. Pain returned after 9 days.
7 8/99 new doctor recommended night splints, somewhat helpful.
8 9/99 had bone scan and nerve testing done on both feet. Bone scan showed excessive inflammation in both heels. Nerve test showed no nerve damage.
9 new doctor recommended EPF surgery. I ran out of there...FAST!
10 back to old doctor who administered cortisone shots in both right and left heels together with combination of stretching using FootFlex, Arthrotec, night splints, custom orthotics/tennis shoes every day. I had 6 weeks of practically no pain at all. It was great. Then, slowly pain has started to return. Now I am continuing combination of all of the above. Stretching with the FootFlex seems to really help. Still cannot wear anything but tennis shoes with orthotics.
I am learning to cope with the fact that the pain is always with me and I am beginning to accept and manage it. Surgery is not an option for me.

comments The one thing that helped me the most was the way the cortisone shots were administered. My ortho surgeon gave me the shot directly into the part of my heel that hurt the most. Once inside, he dug the needle around alot to break up the tissue in that area. It hurt like Hell, but I was pain free for the next 6 weeks.

Additionally, whenever I sleep in my night splints, my pain is much less the next morning. Especially if I stretch really good at night before putting on my splints.

doctor actions 1st podiatrist xray foot,negative,anti-inflam diagnosed as sprain
2nd visit blood work normal diag as possible Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Sciatic pain prompted visit to Sports Med #1 diag as Post Tib Tendonitis, prescribed physio and change orthotics
Physio, minimal help, changing orthotics helped a little
2nd podiatrist diag as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, sugg injection I refused
Bone scans lower legs - fairly normal
EMG testing showed possible Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome - retest in Feb
2nd sports med doctor did lower body bone scan - normal, he dignosed as Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Most improvement since switching to Birks
On wait list for Foot and Ankle surgeon - expect to see late 2000, will try acupuncture while waiting

comments Rest, ice as required, soft soled Birks, change in activity, I am trying acupucture next. Have decided against injections because I understand they are primarily used for diagnosis and pain relief. They are rarely a cure and carry risks as well.

doctor actions 1st GP relafen disgnosis PF
2nd GP daypro,shot in right foot,might helped
3rd pod,diag pf,charged me 500.00 for footmax orthotics that i made
him give me the money back,ask me to see another doc.
4th pod,more orthotics,250.00 more naproxen,tapes,shots both feet
went back for 4 sets shots and tape,had big improvements but not great
5th acupuncture specialist,uses electric current thru the arch
hurts like hell after,gets even better,use alzner orthotics
i am at 80% still see acupucture doc and stretch

comments Try the acupuncture before the ossatron or pf relief if you reach
that stage you have spent a ton of money,try all different orthotics
you will have to find a pair that you like,find ones with money back offers,ask doctors all questions give him Scotts info,its your money.

doctor actions I have only had this for one month. It began after playing tennis using old shoes which apparently have no support left. Bought new ones, too late. Initially both heels hurt, now it is only the right one. Terrible pain in the am and after periods of rest. Can barely get started on my runs, though pain decreases after a while. Pain afterward is unreal. "Stumbled" onto this site while doing research to find out what this might be. Have not seen a doctor yet.

doctor actions 1st visit exam, was given night splint, gel heel cups, celebrix perscription

doctor actions 1 visit x-ray; anti inflammatory; bone spurs in joints; surgery for bone spur with injections to both heels;surgery year later for repeat bone spur in right foot with inject to both heels; 3 months late bone spur removed from left foot and inject both heels again. bone spurs have been removed from both joints in the big toes; dr does not want to do anything about heel spurs. have also discovered bone spurs in lower back area.

doctor actions took X ray shows that there is a heel spur ...also the way my arch is it rubs up on the heel spur I was told to take alive and to put heel cups in my shoes .....this has not worked

comments when I wake up in the morning i can hardly walk ......How can i stop this heel pain

doctor actions 1st visit - (my primary care doctor) - 1st cortizone shot in heel -
relief of heel pain for 6 mos. (left foot only)
2nd visit - (Podiatrist) 2nd cort. shot in heel and x-rays - no help
3rd visit - orthotics ordered and taped foot
4th visit - physical therapy for 4 weeks - relief finally of heel pain
orthotics came in - helped also with heel pain
5th visit - (5 months later) pain on top of left foot now - adjusted
orthotics
6th visit - 1st cort. shot on top of foot
7th visit - 2nd cort. shot top of foot and prescription for Motrin 600
8th visit - 3rd cort. shot top of foot and taped foot (new doctor thinks it is a pinched nerve) - did not work
9th visit - 4th cort. shot top of foot and use of ace bandage - finally pain stopped on top of foot (for several months)
10th visit - pain in arches now in both feet - 2 cort. shots
STOPPED DOCTOR VISITS!

comments Only advise for heel pain is that physical therapy helped my heel pain.

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