Plantar Fasciitis After Surgery (My Plants Fasciitis Woes)
Plantar fasciitis – a tight muscle on the bottom of the foot that is inflamed. I never thought I would have such an issue as I have not worn heels for over 20+ years. I walked daily and had no feet issues.
I had lumbar surgery and was bed bound for a good month or so (2 1/2 weeks In the hospital and more rest at home between walking with a walker). No one warned me of any effects of lengthy bed rest. Had I known, I would have tried to keep my feet in a better position. They just naturally laid down flat, shortening the plantar fasciitis muscle.
A bit after surgery, my heel on one foot began to have a lot of pain. My physical therapist (that I went to for my back recovery) told me to get heel inserts with arch support and wear softer heeled shoes to try to help plus do a couple stretches. I didn’t get relief, so the primary care doctor suggested an x-ray. It showed a bone spur, so I was referred to a podiatrist.
They took more x-rays and examined me – and said the bone spur was not a problem but plantar fasciitis was the issue. Lying prone for so long in the hospital and the first days back home was bad for my feet – I had no support for my feet – just drooped feet with no resistance or arch support. I was only in socks in the hospital when I could get up.
She suggested a steroid shot to help the pain so I could work on healing. I needed to rest for a couple days and ice it, keeping it elevated. Then she got shoe inserts for my shoes to get my feet to have an arch support plus force proper placement. I need to do stretches and massage my feet every day to loosen the muscles. I would walk more again as the pain allowed, but no barefoot or sock walking.
She said I need to try to keep my feet at a 90-degree angle to my leg as much as possible, and if needed I can get special "boots" to keep them at that angle when sleeping. I tried to make a habit of that foot under a pillow to keep it bent. Everything felt better after a few days. I have been very conscientious about keeping a good position.
So far, no more issues but I will keep my feet positions in place to help the muscle stay stretched out. I will continue stretching my feet (I grab the foot, pull back and forth at the toes, pull the toes up for some seconds, massage the bottoms, and do stair stretching daily). I will never wear heels (I have not worn heels for decades anyway) – just flat shoes with wide toe box, and rarely barefoot. I’ll keep trying to sleep with feet at 90 degrees to the leg. I’ll get new inserts whenever they break down.
I think everyone can benefit from stretching their feet and sleeping with them at 90 degrees. Wearing high heels shortens the plantaris muscle - so it’s best not to wear them often and not the tall ones. Plantar fasciitis is a very painful problem that takes a long time to feel better.
The pain has not come back – so far. The plan seems to be working fine. PR
I had lumbar surgery and was bed bound for a good month or so (2 1/2 weeks In the hospital and more rest at home between walking with a walker). No one warned me of any effects of lengthy bed rest. Had I known, I would have tried to keep my feet in a better position. They just naturally laid down flat, shortening the plantar fasciitis muscle.
A bit after surgery, my heel on one foot began to have a lot of pain. My physical therapist (that I went to for my back recovery) told me to get heel inserts with arch support and wear softer heeled shoes to try to help plus do a couple stretches. I didn’t get relief, so the primary care doctor suggested an x-ray. It showed a bone spur, so I was referred to a podiatrist.
They took more x-rays and examined me – and said the bone spur was not a problem but plantar fasciitis was the issue. Lying prone for so long in the hospital and the first days back home was bad for my feet – I had no support for my feet – just drooped feet with no resistance or arch support. I was only in socks in the hospital when I could get up.
She suggested a steroid shot to help the pain so I could work on healing. I needed to rest for a couple days and ice it, keeping it elevated. Then she got shoe inserts for my shoes to get my feet to have an arch support plus force proper placement. I need to do stretches and massage my feet every day to loosen the muscles. I would walk more again as the pain allowed, but no barefoot or sock walking.
She said I need to try to keep my feet at a 90-degree angle to my leg as much as possible, and if needed I can get special "boots" to keep them at that angle when sleeping. I tried to make a habit of that foot under a pillow to keep it bent. Everything felt better after a few days. I have been very conscientious about keeping a good position.
So far, no more issues but I will keep my feet positions in place to help the muscle stay stretched out. I will continue stretching my feet (I grab the foot, pull back and forth at the toes, pull the toes up for some seconds, massage the bottoms, and do stair stretching daily). I will never wear heels (I have not worn heels for decades anyway) – just flat shoes with wide toe box, and rarely barefoot. I’ll keep trying to sleep with feet at 90 degrees to the leg. I’ll get new inserts whenever they break down.
I think everyone can benefit from stretching their feet and sleeping with them at 90 degrees. Wearing high heels shortens the plantaris muscle - so it’s best not to wear them often and not the tall ones. Plantar fasciitis is a very painful problem that takes a long time to feel better.
The pain has not come back – so far. The plan seems to be working fine. PR
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