Monday, February 8, 2010

Foot Trouble

In honor of FOOT-ball season officially coming to a close with the Saints victory yesterday, I made an appointment to see a foot doctor, a podiatrist, tomorrow. I've never been to one, and I'm not sure what to expect, but the pain in my foot has lasted longer than I like (more than 6 months), and I am ready to do something about it.

I don't know if I need some custom orthotics, or some physical therapy, or what...but, I need a professional opinion. I ran about 3 easy miles Saturday and yesterday my foot was killing me. I was limping all day. This is getting old. I just hope that it isn't too costly for me.

On a related note, we went to our local home show over the weekend, and one of the booths had these glycerin-filled shoe inserts, called Hydropedes, that made all kinds of claims about how great they make your feet feel. According to their website, they bring relief from "Athletes Foot, Muscle Cramps, Leg Cramps, Spider Veins, Foot Pain, Heel Pain, Heel Spurs, Leg Pain, Lower Back Pain, Bunions, Calluses, Flat Feet, and Pain associated with Walking, Standing, or Running."

I tried some on and walked around for a bit, and they felt very strange on my feet, but I could feel how they kind of massage your feet while you walk. The salesperson said that a runner who had plantar's fasciitis spent $600 for orthotics said that these $30 inserts worked better. I'm always leery of those types of claims, and those types of booths at trade shows, so I didn't bite. Anyone ever heard of these inserts?

10 comments:

joyRuN said...

Geez, I'm starting to wonder if you shouldn't give barefoot running a try with all this trouble!

Good luck with the podiatrist.

RunningLaur said...

Good luck at the podiatrist.

In my personal and professional opinion I think that the over the counter inserts (if you get the right ones) are as good for plantar fac as orthotics. My best experience has been with powerstep pinnacles - you want a firm, stiff arch - not a cushy gel one. Hopefully your doc will give you the gammut of stretches massage and icing to do. I hope to do a dull post on this soon on my blog. Best of luck! I'm cheering for you!

Carly said...

Good luck with the foot. There is nothing worse. I haven't tried those trade shoe inserts but if I see them, I will have to have them. I am kind of a sucker for things like that.

Lindsay said...

good luck! hope it goes well.

i haven't heard of those but they sound interesting... at least they're only $30 and not $100+ if you do ever decide to give them a shot? hey maybe you could email the company and just ask for a free pair to review on the blog! :)

Christina said...

My foot doctor is cute so I don't mind going to him. My guess is he'll recommend the orthodics and maybe PT. Tell him you want to run and that not running is a non-acceptable solution (I hate it when DR's tell me that).

ShirleyPerly said...

I've never tried those inserts but think seeing a podiatrist is a good idea. I hope you are on the road to recovery soon!

RunToTheFinish said...

ok I know you probably don't want to hear this...but everything I have read lately says barefoot running or vibrams helps to resolve plantar fasciatis...so it might be worth considering

Unknown said...

I have plantar fasciitis myself for a few months now. My podiatrist prescribed me with Custom made orthotics which did not work at all. There are Taping techniques that I find very useful. There are a few more self care techniques that I got from this informative website-
http://www.plantar-fasciitis-elrofeet.com/How_is_Plantar_Fasciitis_Treated

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Hope your appt went well! I'd be like you, leary of those trade show claims.... Sorry that you're still having foot trouble though :(

TiredMamaRunning said...

How did the podiatrist visit go? Hopefully you left with some good information and recommendations.