singermom1

CC has answered so many of my questions, I wonder if someone can tell me what to do in this situation?

When I wake up in the morning I have a lot of trouble getting down the stairs. My feet hurt and I have to hold on to the railing for fear of falling. I also have to take the stairs one at a time. The pain does go away after I walk around for a bit. I have noticed this for a year or so. Before that I did not walk down stairs in the morning so it was not really an issue and I don't remember pain.

I have been seeing a doctor for another problem and he says I am in perfect health. 40 years old, a bit overweight (and trying to lose weight) but other than that I am healthy.

I also have sharp shooting pains in my knees when I get down on them to do something or when something bumps them. I have discussed the knee pain with a Dr. who suggested I stand with my feet together and do heel lifts while tightening my knees. He said to do that 100 times a day and the knee problem would go away. ( this has been a problem for about three years)

Does anyone have a suggestion of what kind of Dr. I should see or what my problems might be related to? Pm me if you do.

Westcoastmon

Podiatrists are your best bet - they specialize in foot, ankle and knee problems. I have sent you a PM. Please contact me if you have questions.

Sounds like you might have plantar fasciitis which is what I was diagnosed with several years back.

huskem55

foot pain first thing in the morning sounds like plantar fascitis. but definitely see a podiatrist.

mom60

I agree about seeing a Dr. I had something similar. I ice my feet and then place my foot on a solid surface such as a wall and stretch my calves.Heel on floor- toes on wall. It helps. I iced several times a day. You might try the ice and stretching until you can get into see a podiatrist.

singermom1

Thanks for the advice! Westcoastmom solved the problem (I think)

I have tile floor and have had it for about a year. I am going to try wearing good shoes in the house to see if that helps things. I will also try icing my feet. Should I see a podiatrist even if the shoes and other remedies help? If I have plantar fascitis I am guessing it just needs time to heal?

musicamusica

Something that REALLY helps my plantar fascitis. While seated at my desk or at home I roll a golf ball back and forth under the affected foot. I also wear
a brace at night to keep my ankle flexed. (I tend to sleep with my toes pointed and when I would get up in the morning and step on that foot---------yeouch!) AND do not go barefoot while your plantar fascitis is acting up! You need all the arch support you can get. I swear by Birkenstock Tatami Sandals.

lspf72

Timely post -- I had plantar fascitis several years back. Got cement-like orthotics, hated them, and after 6 months or so replaced them with good sneakers (Brooks Addiction) that have firm, super support for my flat feet. That seemed to work. All was well until the last few days. A couple hours after my usual cardio kickbox class my left heel was awful, and walking is now extremely painful. I've been doing this same class for two years with never a problem, and have no idea what caused this flareup. Perhaps I should rule out flat sandals this summer?
Will try the golf ball thing too-

owlice

I've had it, too, and what my doctor told me to do was stretch. Stand maybe three feet away from a wall (less if you're short ) and lean forward, keeping your body straight and your heels as close to the floor as possible, preferably on the floor. Hold that position for 10 seconds, and then stand back up straight. Do that a bunch of times (5/10 x at a time), and do it several times a day.

That's all I had to do. (I know people who'd have to do other things, but this worked for me.)

musicamusica

Be sure and stretch your calf muscles before and after a work out. Its that
calf muscle that is frequently pulling and doing the damage on the bottom of your foot. And yes, loose the flat sandals. My D calls my shoes "BirkenNOTS" -the older I get the more my body rebels against fashion.

mom60

If you like a casual flip flop type of sandal look into the Chaco's brand. They have a strong arch and vibram soles. They are expensive but worth it. I have the one's that look like a regular leather upper flip flop that goes between the toes. It looks similar to the rainbow sandals the kids wear. They also make a teva type sandal with ankle straps but I have not tried those. I also just picked up another sandal made by Soft Walk that has some arch support.
I had a problem with both feet for quite a number of months and now just seem to have it in one. It is getting better. But a day standing on my feet does me in.

lspf72

Thanks, all -

I tried birkenstocks years ago but found them too wide. Maybe zappos or someone might carry them in different widths

Threekids

When I had plantar fasciitis (and I had it twice) it didn't only hurt in the morning. If I sat for any amount of time and took my weight off of my feet, as soon as I stood it hurt. It would take several minutes and several steps to stop hurting. The foot pain in the morning combined with the knee pain sounds very much like my rheumatoid arthritis. I have the migratory type, and it is now controlled with medication, but the only doctor who can give you a definitive answer is a rheumatologist. Osteo or rheumatoid, it's best to see a rheumatologist, because damage can be done to the joints if untreated. My daughter is 19 and was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, not fun for an active student. She already has some damage. But she works around it. At any rate, those exercises above will help.

bethievt

I had this too. Went to a podiatrist and got custom orthotics. They weren't always comfortable, but the plantar fascitis was gone in a few months and has never returned. I don't use the orthotics anymore, but I spend less time barefoot and no time in flip-flops.

great lakes mom

Plantar Fasciatis. What is with this? The people I know who have it, me included, are the careful sort who wear Birkenstocks, Tevas. For all the foot pain, we might as well have been wearing stiletto heels.

I have foot pain in abundance. Keeps me sitting down, and chained to the computer, as it just hurts so much to get up again! One of my many excuses.

The latest thing where I work is to get rid of the carpets, and have thin attractive laminate over cement. As I'm on my feet much of the day, no wonder.

I've tried many things, all of which give some relief. Organizing myself to do them all at once might be the trick, as well as getting off my feet, but haven't yet done that. Wearing firm soled shoes helps. Orthotics help, if hard. Ice. Rolling the tennis ball. Lots of stretching. Massage. Yoga, esp. downward facing dog. My feet felt the best after a yoga class specifically for feet and knees that focused on alignment. A homeopathic remedy helps, but haven't taken it over time. Wearing birkenstocks regularly, though I really need more side support than they provide much of the time. The best? Some German made inserts for shoes. Softer than the orthotics, which reduced the inflammation, so I could wear the orthotics more easily. It is under moderate control at this point, so less severe pain. With the time on my feet, is hard to 'fix'. But I'm your warning, take care of this soon, or becomes a chronic issue.

Realize that the orthotics are helping basic issues of alignment, to keep from having more severe problems at a later point, so good to learn to wear.

Three kids, yes my Dr. agrees, might be arthritis, but haven't explored that option in depth yet. Next on the list.

For a more complete birkenstock and comfortable shoe source:
Footprints the Birkenstock, Dansko, Sanita, Keen, Papillio, Patagonia, Cydwoq Store

singermom1

Wow! You are all so great! Thank you so much for the responses!

I think I will go see a podiatrist and wear my Danskos 24/7. I know they help my feet because they never hurt when I am wearing them. I don't want this to become worse than it is. I had a feeling I would find some help here

Does anyone have an opinion on Crocs?