Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Can You Say Plantar Fasciitis?
OUCH!For the last couple of months, I've been limping through life. It started while my sister was here (and she told me "I do hope this is not a spur!"), and went on through our vacation in British Columbia. In fact, it probably got worse during that trip, as we walked a lot, and I mean A LOT!
Like a good tough Israeli, I ignored it, waiting for it to get better with time. Some days it was better, some days I would throttle a scream when I just put my foot on the floor as I got out of bed (which is when it hurt the most).
Until 10 days ago, when The JohnnyB and I took a walk to the Saturday farmers market. The walk was fine, I was fine, the farmers were fine - but when we got back home, all I could do was sit on a chair and moan. Evening came, and I started to seriously contemplate going to the ER, as it hurt so much.
I didn't go for that extreme measure, but instead went for plan B: googling it. I googled "heel pain", and got acquainted with Dame Plantar Fascitiis. Emails to some friends made the diagnosis even more reliable, as they all started to recall when they/relative/acquaintance had it. A series of recommended podiatrists has followed, and I chose one that was highly recommended on Yelp (and also covered by our insurance). Who'd have thunk Yelp is not just for restaurants?
I went to his clinic today.
An inviting sign on the door said:
PODIATRIST
LIMP IN
LIMP IN
That made me instantly like the guy, before even meeting him. Add to that the fact that his exam chair is purple, and that he actually cares about the parts above the foot (namely the patient, who is aching and sometimes scared), I knew I came to the right place, feeling that my foot and I were in good hands.
A series of examinations, X-ray included, proved the popular diagnosis: yup, Plantar Fasciitis, the one and only. "66% of those who come to me have this trouble", he claimed cheerfully while wrapping an elastic band around my feet.
"Oh, and I thought I was special", I lamented.
"But you ARE special", he assured me, "you just have a common problem".
Smooth, too.
We then had a bit of a fall-out in our relationship, as I was accused of having a high arched foot, a rigid ankle and an inflexible calf muscle.
How offending!
me?
rigid and inflexible???
ME????
But he soon proceeded to explain that the combination causes a lot of stress on the heel, and - in the lack of an appropriate shock absorption - results in an inflammation. Needless to say, the Tiger Balm that The JohnnyB (with all the good intentions in the world) has lovingly applied to my sore heel last Saturday did not quite help, as it heated the place. And, well, when inflammation is in place, um, it kinda needs icing, y'know...
After 30 minutes of thorough explanations, treatment forecast and a lot of optimistic reassurance, I got off the purple chair, limped out with a bag full of goodies: an anti-inflammatory prescribed drug. elastic bands on my feet, which are to be worn with closed supportive shoes (it's August, for god's sake!!!), a night splint to torture my foot at night, exercises with a frozen bottle to torture it even further, a verdict to give up walking barefoot even at home, and a follow-up appointment in 10 days.Luckily, this doctor believes in trying traditional therapy first, rather than jumping straight into steroid injection or taking the scalpel into his surgeon hand.
So, 10 days with no bare feet, no sandals outside, sleeping with a Herr Splint and playin' with frozen bottles.
I'm not sure I can handle that amount of fun. But hey, with all that foot binding, I may qualify to wear those lotus slippers.
Labels: Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ouch
# posted by Nava @ 10:14 PM 
Comments:
Ooouuuuuu.
Odd though - I always thought Israeli's were more likely to be Socialists, not Facists...
Forgive me for the Tiger Balm!
owie...
I had a similar problem about 6 or 7 years ago...
Not that you care to know that.
It took about a year to recover.
I am now a proud flip flop wearer and barefoot all summer. :)
Just be very very kind to your feet and it'll get better.
If not johnnyb can carry you around.
;)
# posted by 
: 8/21/2008 11:27 AM
Hi, Accidentally drop the cold water bottle on JohnnyB's toe for his atrocious pun!!!
Otherwise , one suggestion: try walking on your hands?? A little awkward while cooking, but sure saves the tender heel?? Val
# posted by : 8/21/2008 1:22 PM
Since you note that you like traditional therapies, I would just like to point out that the pain relieving qualities of alcohol are unparalleled. And, if taken properly, it will help keep you off your feet.
Y'all are so sweet and kind. A rock of comfort you are. Truly.
The JohnnyB - yeah, Ooouuuuuu. Tiger-Balm is gonna become my Ace, I think...
Rhonda, owie it is, too. So, you're sayin' I may be able to walk barefoot again?
Val, helpful and inventive as ever. But - if I walk on my hands, does it mean I'll have to paint with my feet?
CherkyB, actually, I am using alcohol in that stupid frozen water bottle (half water, half rubbing alcohol so it doesn't freeze but becomes a slush). I may opt to just drink it, who knows?
Ahhhhh, good ole plantar fasciitis, my friend. I fought it for years and eventually recovered after surgery. BUT, only 5% of people will need surgery, it is usually resolved with stretching, icing (and heating helps too - alternate hot and cold as hot allows the good anti-inflammatory molecules in your system to get there, then the cold clamps things down before the area inflames too much), and not ever going barefoot. To this day, walking barefoot often hurts.
My podiatrist is much like yours, only I knew him as a pal before I started seeing him as a professional. Extra bonus: he is ultra hot. :)
Good luck ..... it really really stinks, but you can get better. Do the stair stretching one too.
Sorry to read about it but told with such flair and elan, it seems you found a good doc to help you through it.
I seem to recall reading about your affliction on Davids' blog too so good thing you're taking care of it.
# posted by : 8/24/2008 4:29 PM
I see my Podiatrist tomorrow. Now, He is Hot!!! I tell Rhonda he should be in a soap opera. :) I will be thinking of you when he is cutting my nails. :)
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Odd though - I always thought Israeli's were more likely to be Socialists, not Facists...
Forgive me for the Tiger Balm!
I had a similar problem about 6 or 7 years ago...
Not that you care to know that.
It took about a year to recover.
I am now a proud flip flop wearer and barefoot all summer. :)
Just be very very kind to your feet and it'll get better.
If not johnnyb can carry you around.
;)
# posted by : 8/21/2008 11:27 AM
: 8/21/2008 11:27 AM Otherwise , one suggestion: try walking on your hands?? A little awkward while cooking, but sure saves the tender heel?? Val
# posted by : 8/21/2008 1:22 PM
: 8/21/2008 1:22 PM The JohnnyB - yeah, Ooouuuuuu. Tiger-Balm is gonna become my Ace, I think...
Rhonda, owie it is, too. So, you're sayin' I may be able to walk barefoot again?
Val, helpful and inventive as ever. But - if I walk on my hands, does it mean I'll have to paint with my feet?
CherkyB, actually, I am using alcohol in that stupid frozen water bottle (half water, half rubbing alcohol so it doesn't freeze but becomes a slush). I may opt to just drink it, who knows?
My podiatrist is much like yours, only I knew him as a pal before I started seeing him as a professional. Extra bonus: he is ultra hot. :)
Good luck ..... it really really stinks, but you can get better. Do the stair stretching one too.
I seem to recall reading about your affliction on Davids' blog too so good thing you're taking care of it.
# posted by : 8/24/2008 4:29 PM
: 8/24/2008 4:29 PM 
