6/1/15 10:16 AM

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with plantar fasciitis? I had been controlling it, but not getting better. I pretend I can muddle through. Then this weekend I reacted to something, really aggravated it and took a leisurely trip to the emergency room the next morning.

Right now it's rest, crutches, naproxin, ice.

Any thoughts on mixing the bike and the heel?

6/2/15 7:58 AM

I've had some degree of PF for years. I believe it was caused mostly by running, and running is what mostly aggravates it, so I don't run. As long as I don't try to run, it is quiescent. I don't recall ever noticing a problem with it cycling. Treatment is a question for a doc or therapist, not me.

6/2/15 9:50 AM

I had an experience this spring where it hurt so bad I could hardly walk.

I knew I had flat feet--when I was a kid, my parents bought these insoles that were...well, they were terrible. Steel and leather and uncomfortable. By the time I was in high school, I quit using them, and never had any trouble until this year.

Fortunately, the paint went away, and I went back to walking barefoot and so far no recurrence, though my doctor suggested that I should just stop wearing anything without a decent arch support.

But as Dan says, I've never experienced it on the bike. Even this spring, while walking hurt, riding was not at all bad. I suspect that's because of how little flex bike shoes allow--and of course, when I ride to work, I wear the bike shoes throughout the day, so that may have helped as well.

But Dan is also correct: Doctors, not docs. Each case is likely somewhat unique.

6/2/15 10:00 AM

Thanks, bike info is all I was looking for.

Follow up is tomorrow. So far I'm happy with the recovery.

6/2/15 12:18 PM

Stretching a yoga can help a ton. Much of the issues with it are due to tight ATs and you can work out those kinks. Worked for me.

6/2/15 10:42 PM

Suggest you have your foot evaluated by a foot/ankle orthopod.
I ignored my pain thinking it was inflammation when in fact I tore the Achilles tendon from the heel when climbing out of the saddle.
Had soreness prior to the avulsion (detachment of the tendon from the heel) and wrongly followed the no-pain no-gain macho mentality.
The surgery to fix that injury is no walk in the park, in fact, no walking or even toe touches for 3 months post op.
Back on the bike just in time for a two level cervical fusion (ACDF) on April 15.
Getting old and trying to stay on the bike is doing wonders for the medical industry.
Really hurry to your foot doc if you develop calcium deposits which feel like tiny hard granules that can be broken up by massage.
Maybe I still haven't learned my lesson....next up the Jamestown Gran Fondo century this weekend....100 miles of pure flat with TOSRV like pace lines.
Maybe I should "quit cycling," hide in a styrofoam box and watch life go by...nah, I'm staying on the bike but the days of "every ride is a race" are over and I'm ok with that.
Ask your doc about Voltaren - NSAID anti-inflammatory which works wonders on my arthritic body.
Good luck.

6/3/15 4:43 PM

AT?

Tibialis Anterior?

---------------------

April 15, 2015?

So you're saying you had a 3 month layoff from walking starting in January, spinal surgery in the middle of April and you're doing a century the second weekend of June?

...Walter's back in the saddle somewhere around week 6....

You guys convinced me it's time to swing my leg over and get moving!

6/3/15 9:40 PM

Yes, where the achilles tendon attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus) separated.
No, this did not happen in January but in 2011 with 3 months no toe touches, 3 more months with light weight bearing, and then slowly back to weight bearing over the next year.

Last year I returned to regular 3-4x rides per week but much slower and have never returned to out of the saddle climbing.
The surgeon harvested a tendon (bye to raising my big toe) and added staples.

ACDF was recent (April 15th) and I returned to the bike 3 weeks later having built a good base miles pre-op so the flat century should go well especially with shoulder pain and weakness thankfully gone.

C4/C5 and C5/C6 were locked down with a theory that cycling "may" have contributed to the spinal cord impingement due to the unnatural S-bend caused by flat back/heads up riding.

I was much like Froome staring at my stem pre-op which makes me suspect he may be suffering from a cervical condition.

Dr. Seybold with OrthoCarolina in Charlotte did the foot and Dr. Cahill with Carolina Neurosurgery in Charlotte did the ACDF.
HTH

6/4/15 12:14 PM

+1 for seeking professional advice, as it sounds like you're doing. When I've had issues with PF I've been able to manage it with stretching, especially calf and hamstrings. This allows me to engage in a number of active pursuits including bicycling, running, xc skiing. My wife, OTOH, finds that stretching offers little relief but that footwear with arch support is better. So, see a specialist who is well-versed in the variety of root causes and can recommend appropriate therapies. You're an individual, so your mileage will undoubtedly vary.

6/4/15 8:48 PM

I've had it for several years and haven't been able to run. However cycling doesn't bother me much. I ended up with custom orthotics from a podiatrist because part of my problem is excessive pronation (flat feet). However I'm sure over the counter inserts from a running or sports store is fine for most people.

Another cause is tight hamstring and especially calves. The tight calves pull on the Achilles which causes the foot pain. Stretching is what ultimately is the cure. One expertise I found especially helpful is rolling up a towel into a cyclinder. Put it on a step and with your bare foot, step on it with your toes and ball of your foot. Keep the heel over the edge of the stair and do toe rises on the balled up towel.

6/5/15 2:52 PM

Erik, I still haven't figured out what you mean by "tight ATs."

I'm really focused on getting past this and every suggestion is taken to heart. Yoga has got become part of my presence.

6/5/15 3:04 PM

Achilles Tendon?

6/5/15 3:53 PM

That's got to be it. Talk about would've jumped up and bit me. Thanks New York.