Plantar faciitis is a symptom of something else goofed up in the ankle/foot. Something is irritating the system. If the doc says "plantar fasciitis" and leaves it at that, ask him what he thinks *caused* the pf. Ask about physical therapy, especially with someone who knows cyclists and feet.
If I'm constantly hitting myself in the head with a hammer, and go to the doc cuz my head is bruising, and he diagnoses me with "a bruise" and gives me an ice bag but doesn't take the damm hammer out of my hand, well.... that's like a doc telling you "plantar fasciitis" and leaving it at that.
Edit: it is extremely common to have this kind of thing happen with no particular event causing it. Often it's an ankle or foot posture issue, added to a footwear issue, added to an activity issue, added to the vagaries of fate, and finally the straw that breaks the camel's back.
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12-01-2007, 09:15 AM #1
Don't whine
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Last edited by KnottedYet; 12-01-2007 at 09:32 AM.
"If Americans want to live the American Dream, they should go to Denmark." - Richard Wilkinson
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12-01-2007, 10:25 AM #2
Northern Amazon
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These words are very valid for so many situations of life....
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
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12-01-2007, 11:19 AM #3
Bklynmom
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My plantar fasciatis symptoms were exactly like what you described -- and were completely cured by custom orthotics (which I wear in the bike shoes) and stretching the calf many time a day.
On the other hand, radiating calf pain can be a symptom of pulmonary embolism - which my sister-in law survived by the skin of her teeth (and a really great EMT and ER) last year. So do be careful please.
I come from a long line of amature physicians, so take this with a grain of salt
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Hope you are feeling better soon.
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12-01-2007, 02:56 PM #4
It Matters To This One
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Hey Sara, I don't have anything to add to the the actual discussion, but wanted you to know I'm thinking of you!! If you start to feel down about not quite making your 3000 miles, just think of me. I've only got 1000 for 2007!!
"The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury
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12-03-2007, 01:14 PM #5
I like my bike
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Hmmm, the saga continues. You're probably all bored to tears with my whining, but whatever is going on with my foot/ankle, it's not going away, so I'm off to the Dr. tomorrow morning. I really want to know what is going on. Someone at work told me that her husband walked around in moderate pain for 3 weeks with a broken bone in his foot before he finally went to the Dr. for an x-ray. So I'm hoping it's not something like that!
Starfish - wasn't most of that 1,000 miles climbing straight up the sides of mountains?
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12-03-2007, 01:17 PM #6
I like bikes
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let us know what the doctor says. And yeah, I second what you said about Starfish! Originally Posted by sara
Hmmm, the saga continues. You're probably all bored to tears with my whining, but whatever is going on with my foot/ankle, it's not going away, so I'm off to the Dr. tomorrow morning. I really want to know what is going on. Someone at work told me that her husband walked around in moderate pain for 3 weeks with a broken bone in his foot before he finally went to the Dr. for an x-ray. So I'm hoping it's not something like that!
Starfish - wasn't most of that 1,000 miles climbing straight up the sides of mountains?
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12-03-2007, 01:45 PM #7
Grad School 1, Bike 0
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If it is something involving the tendons....
If it turns out that it is plantar fascitis or something involving the tendons in the ankle, I would make sure to get into a physical therapist. I let something similar to what you are describing heal itself for over 10 months by resting and using anti-inflamitories - I started to feel better and began exercising again only to have it return in full force. Square one. I went to a physical therapist about three weeks later who manipulated several of the tendons in my arch, ankle, and toes. He broke up scar tissue and taught me some very strange, but effective stretches. I felt relief that evening. I went back a few times after that and was SO PLEASED with the results. Now if anything in my feet start causing problems, I get right in.
I also second getting custom insoles, although I used some that I purchased at a web site called Sole Custom Footbeds. I trimmed them to fit my cycling shoes, put them in the oven for a few minutes, took them out, slipped them in my cycling shoes, and stood on them for a few minutes while they made a custom mold to my foot. I love them.
Just my $.02
Let us know what happens!
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