Rachel's Intense Plantar Fasciitis Foot Pain

by Rachel
(IL)

In May of 2011 I started having feet pain. Both feet, same area (heel). I am overweight but I've always been big. Im 28 years old, 5'7 and weigh 265.

I started walking and doing Zumba in an effort to lose weight. Shortly after the walking began they got sore, but i thought it was because i was actually moving more than I was use to.

I had never had any pain in my feet ever in my life. It progressivly got worse and in October 2011 I went to my family dr. He gave me some anti-inflamitory meds and had xrays done. the meds didn't help and nothing showed in the xrays.

the pain went from irritating to debilitating. I couldn't walk without shoes on. This pain went from 0-10 on the pain scale in just a couple months. I was referred to a poditrist. in the last year I have bought New Balance 1124 Shoes, had night splints, orthodic insoles, custom insoles, stretches, therapy, iced water bottle, and every other treatment that was avialble.

The pain has not gotten better, in fact through all of this, has gotten MUCH worse. My right is the worst. Day or Night, standing or sitting its pretty much dead weight. I dred having to move. The pain is soooo intense.

My left is getting as bad as my right, but i have 3 kids that are very active so i can't just sit on the couch all day. I am waiting to hear back from the surgery center as I have consulted with my poditrist about doing the plantar release surgery next week.

I am excited, scared, and cautious. From what my doctor says the surgery takes about 20 min. and there is a small incision. I will be in a boot for 2-4 weeks after. When the right heals, I will have the left done.

I've googled this surgery and am willing to risk the 25% failure rate as the possibility of finding relief. I can't find any documention stating what happens after surgery as far as foot structure.

I wonder, he's cutting a ligament...that has to have some effect on the foot other than relief. Don't ligaments connect things?! He did say that I could walk on it right after surgery in the fracture boot he'll give me. but I just can't believe that one snip could solve all my problems.

I know new ones can arise after surgery and Im praying that won't be my case.

If anyone can give me any insight to life after surgery as far as recovery or pain levels. I'd appreciate it.!!!



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Joshua Answers:

Hi Rachel.

I too have a hard time believing that a little snip is going to magically fix all your problems.

Imagine a suspension bridge. There's cables holding things in place, and big pillars under the bridge holding it up. What happens if you remove a pillar, or a few cables?

Nothing good.

That's what plantar fasciitis release surgery does. Granted, sometimes it actually gets rid of pain.

Did your surgeon actually tell what's wrong? What EXACTLY is he going to do surgery on? Why exactly? How exactly is the surgery going to help make everything all better?

Why are you hurting in the first place? If they can't positively identify that, I'm immediately doubtful about surgery.

Surgery tends to be an act of desparation. Nobody wants to go under the knife, but as nothing has been offered that helps, and surgery is the last tool available by doctors, and is the tool of last resort.....

The other things your doctor suggested didn't help. So why would surgery, if he was wrong about the other stuff?

These are just some questions I always ask.


So. Why are you hurting?

The extra weight doesn't help, but there's lots of heavy people with no foot pain.

So here's some factors:

1. The Pain Causing Dynamic


2. Process of Inflammation that isn't reduced by Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen.

Also, Inflammation Causes Vitamin B6 Deficiency.


3. Other nutritional insufficiency/deficiency.

See: Magnesium For Tendonitis

What's your Vitamin D level? I bet you don't know, I bet your doctor never bothered to inquire. Your surgeon definitely didn't.

What are some of the possible symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency? Pain, random pain, pain that mimics tendonitis symptoms.


4. Lack of exercise etc never helps. You weren't active, then you were, so muscle got tighter, you got sore, the body overreacted, and it's all downhill from there.


So you should definitely deal with your nutrition and lower your inflammation levels. Learn How To Reduce Inflammation


If you go with surgery, good luck with that I certainly hope it works out.

Back to the questions, see: Quiz Your Doc


Also, you should SERIOUSLY consider switching to a gluten free lifestyle. Gluten is an inflammatory agent, some of the many side effects include weight gain, nutritional deficiency, digestive problems, and, you guessed it, pain.


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Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com