Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Thanks Mom (Laing) and Jennifer Ward

Sunday we had dinner at Tyler's parents house and my mother in law diagnosed me with Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the foot caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia that supports the arches of the foot or by biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation.[1] The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing or sudden changes in weight bearing or activity. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition.
Plantar fasciitis was formerly called "a dog's heel" in the United Kingdom. It is sometimes known as "flip-flop disease" among US
podiatrists. The condition often results in a heel spur on the calcaneus, in which case it is the underlying condition, and not the spur itself, which produces the pain.

For the last 2 months or so every morning when I get up my feet feel bruised, like they did when I was pregnant and the swelling would subside. I still swell, so I put my worry aside. The pain got worse and lasted throughout the day and was worse when I got up from sitting or resting. The pain is so bad I can hardly stand it and walk like an old woman when I first get up. I finally went to the doctor and he basically said, oh well. Thanks Doc.
So, my "Mom" and I were talking about exercising and losing weight and stuff and I told her that I was exercising quite a bit but that I was having a foot problem. I started to go into detail and she was finishing all my sentences for me. She has the same thing and it started about the same time, but she was diagnosed and is being treated, yahoo! So, with multiple daily stretches and icings I should be on the 12 month road to recovery. So, sometimes it pays to complain, if it's to the right person!

Now, Jennifer, she gave me a bag of ice for Benjamin because as we were leaving piano lessons at her house, I slammed Ben's hand in the van door, I know, poor baby. He reached out just as I was shutting it, and you have to shut it pretty hard. It bounced right off his hand. Miracle of miracles, he didn't want the ice and it seems to be fine, knock on wood. So, as I sit here at my laptop I am stretching my foot and icing it with Ben's bag of ice so it won't go to waste! Thanks guys, who needs a doctor when I've got you?!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Uh it sounds painful, I am hoping your doctor takes note !! Way to go Robin !!!

Wynn Family said...

Oh yuck!! My mom has that. No fun at all. You have to get those coil shoes and wear them all waking hours. Or at least she has had to. I'm so sorry about that. So Jen gives your kids lessons? That is so nice. I have a good friend around the block that gives Jake lessons. He just started and totally LOVES it!!! It's so nice when you love and know your teacher! Good luck with the foot!!

Melissa said...

I always have to wear comfy shoes! My favorite are Clarks - good support, nice cushion, and stylish too. Every once in a while them have a great deal on them on QVC. I hope your feet feel better.

jennifer said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your feet! My mom has had that same issue for the past several years. Every 6 months or so she goes in for a steroid shot right into her heel and that kicks it for awhile.

I heard you yelp when Ben's arm got smashed yesterday - it did not sound good. I'm glad he's ok and that the bag of ice was useful after all!