Bipolar Planter Facistiis
I have been diagnosed by 4 different docs as having bipolar planter fasciitis. I am a refrigeration technician and am up and down ladders w/ very small rungs all day long. I have not been able to work on over 2 months. I am significantly overweight. The following is a list of what has been done for my feet with the results.1. Night splints—unknown if it helps or not much difference between wearing them and not.2. Taping using the low dye method—50% reduction in pain3. Physical Therapy Ultrasound—no effect Misc. stretching and exercises—minimal effect Aligned my back and hips—good results, not sure why 4. Cortisone shots (2)—minimal effect5. Custom Orthotics ($480.00)—pain is worse, no warranty (GRRRRRRRRRR)6. Medrol Pack—did not help my feet and made me very unlikable for about 4 days7. X-rays—everything is normal8. Nerve Conduction study—all normal9. Daily icing and hot packs on feet. (I alternate back and forth several hours each day)10. Birkenstock foot beds—these have helped more than anything.
I can walk on a concrete surface for about 40 min before the pain becomes unbearableUsing trekking poles I can walk a couple of miles before the pain forces me to quitMy doctor says that there is nothing else that can be done to get me back to my job.
He has told me that I am not a good candidate for surgery due to weight and the intense level of activity related to my work.
I have a family and am at my wits ends as to where to go from here…Any help would be appreciated
3 comments
Vivian Abrams DPM
I am not sure what the bipolar part is, but all of the things you listed are very commonly used for plantar fasciitis. Is there a possibility you have a low back or disc problem?
Kevin
By bipolar I mean in both feet. That is the wrong word I guess. The therapist tried “adjusting” a vertabre (sp) and could not get it to turn back into the proper place. Can back problems cause foot pain? I don’t believe that I mentioned in my previous post that the facisa in my left foot was 11mm thick after 2 weeks of rest. I guess my real question is this. Barring a heavenly healing, is there any likely hood that I will walk w/ a normal gait for a few miles w/o pain again.Right now I get about 30 steps after extended icing, and am in near constant pain unless I can get 100% of weight off of my feet. Thanks
Kevin
By bipolar I mean in both feet. That is the wrong word I guess. The therapist tried “adjusting” a vertabre (sp) and could not get it to turn back into the proper place.Can back problems cause foot pain? I don’t believe that I mentioned in my previous post that the facisa in my left foot was 11mm thick after 2 weeks of rest. I guess my real question is this. Barring a heavenly healing, is there any likely hood that I will walk w/ a normal gait for a few miles w/o pain again.Right now I get about 30 steps after extended icing, and am in near constant pain unless I can get 100% of weight off of my feet. Thanks