I have had plantar fasciitis for about 12 months and in that time have had one injection of a corticosteroid in the heal of the foot. The pain is now affecting quality of life, walking the dog just causes too much pain, therefore I am trying to obtain another corticosteroid injection.
My GP is concerned that the steroid injection will suppress my immunity and make me more susceptible to Covid ! Any thoughts on this? I do not really see how an injection in the foot will significantly affect ones immune system (I do appreciate that the drug will travel around the body, so there is some effect.).
Shielding at the moment and will be continuing well into next year. My walks are in a rural area where I see no one.
I have tried insoles, made my own memory foam inserts, tried specialist shoes. Ibuprofen does help, but is not recommended due to Ibrutinib, paracetamol and co-codamol just do not have any effect. Tried rolling a frozen can of beans across the heal provides some temporary relief.
Anyone else with plantar fasciitis and thoughts on the immunity question?
BTW. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis can cause intense heel pain.
Written by
RobertCLL
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I had a small bout of that and solved it by carefully rolling the soul of my foot over a can of soup stretching it until I got back to normal. But it sounds like you may have something different.
Hi Robert, I can relate to the pain and reduction in quality of life. I have a different ailment, a fused ankle which has worked well for 8-9 years but has recently has put increasing stress on the small joints in my ankle and foot.This is a known consequence for some/many ankle fusions. The result has been painful mobility orno mobility and back to using a stick except that Corticosteroid injections offer considerable relief and full mobility for a period of time. I had my first injection in March 2019 and another January this year as part of my preparations for CLL treatment. Walking is my main cardiovascular exercise and vital to physical and mental well being. I manage to walk at day break to avoid people with a less well developed sense of physical distancing. My last injection was pre-covid and my experience is not, therefore, specifically covid relevant. My argument to your your GP would be that the risk of reduced immunity is very small in your particular covid environment( and impossible to quantify) contrasted to the documented physical and mental health risks resulting from unnecessary pain and immobility.
I had to see a podiatrist to make a custom shoe insert for me. With the insert I was able to go back to running. Sometimes exercises help but definitely insert did the job.
The link between immunity and steroid is questionable. My doctor (not hematologist) told me not to use Flonase (for allergy). I am not sure if Flonase has any steroid in it?
Wear good shoes when walking. Inserts should be made for your foot from leather. Go to a physical therapist for stretching exercises and Ice, Ice, Ice. Cortisone will not cause any problems with your CLL. Get the shot. Good luck, Anna
I've had episodes of plantar fasciitis. Tried various things to relieve the pain. However the most effective was to start wearing FitFlop shoes. Something in their design of the sole definitely relieves the pain.
The fix for me was to always wear structured shoes even when home. No walking around in just socks or slippers. Took a few weeks once I made the change.
I also wear fitflop sandals, shoes and boots, they really help because of the rocker in the heel. My walking boots are Allrounder by Mephisto with a similar heel.
I had it for over two years and then I went to trainer who used Bio-Mechanics to stop my foot from rolling inwards. Mine cleared up after 6 weeks - previously I had 3 injections that worked but eventually the pain came back. Unless you've had this injury you can't understand how bad it is.
Hi, Do you have collapsed arches? My feet are flat and I cant walk without the insoles I had made. Nhs. Biofreeze rollon helps pain. Might last a bit longer at keeping it cool. I have had pain in my heel and luckily it cleared up.
I would imagine that is part of the problem. My feet were rolling and it was the front pads that were painful. I was measured for insoles at the hospital. My gp referred me.
I go to the hospital for ivig. I am reassured by the standard of precautions from covid. Maybe you can persuade your doctor to refer you and give you the injection in the meantime.
Mine has been stopped too Robert (since March) and my Unit isn’t doing any IVIG at the moment. In fact I’m probably going to have an uphill battle getting it back because the Consultant is citing massively tightened criteria, shortages and more use of antibiotics instead! 😳
I will be trying to go back to IVIG, next appointment in September. I know from another thread you have noted addition pain from Ibrutinib since you stopped IVIG, same here.
My consultant wanted me to have the ivig. I was nervous. The wards in the hospital are in another block. The consulting rooms are separate. There were very few people around. Everyone wears masks and I am asked to change my mask because I have been outside. I am lucky. Was told my numbers are perfect on Tuesday.
I have mobility problems and pain. I used to swim and although the pool is opening this week, there is no chance I will be going near it. I am so stiff and a gentle stretch in the water would be nice. Anne
Hi Robert, he was actually private the NHS don't even know about this treatment - they just give you insoles that make it worse - or injections! It worked for me so it's worth looking into. Good luck.
RobertCLL, I had the same problem before my dx of cll. The pain just wouldn't go away even with cortisone shots. Physical therapy didn't help either. So I opt for the surgery in 2013. So glad I did. No problems since. Wishing you the best. Cindi
Hi Robert. Here are my suggestions! I work with people who have this and have seen good results for them and myself - however I’ve noticed once a person has it there is ac retain vigilance of care that goes on even if it feels better.
1 before getting out of bed in the morning (fascia has spent the night shrinking), roll ankles and stretch calves. Once feet are in the floor find a step or a way to stretch the calf gently but more deeply.
2.. repeat calf stretches a few times a day esp before walking.
3 ALWAYS wear shoes that offer padding and support - in the house included.
4 even after it starts to feel better continue this practice for awhile.
I work in the health and fitness biz...here is a video I found that is a little "hyper" but she does a good job of demoing and describing. All the 4 steps I listed are important! And yes to what vog292 says...after walking is important too. Be gentle and regular. Good luck, I want to hear how you do.
The stretching exercise as recommended by CBeauty above is the best and should be done throughout the day. But after your feet had some walking to warm and have circulation. I had plantar years ago and the podiatrist had me strap on a stretch-boot at night for a few month'. Since then I do the calf-stretch every day for prevention. I recommend to get a walking-treadmill , for walking inside, where you can control your movements and also avoid all weather outside. A walking treadmill costs less then $ 500. The daily walking will also support your CLL and other healthcare: An investment into your general health !
I also had this miserable condition for several months. I had cortisone injection and was told by my NHS physio to keep up the calf stretching exercises. He stressed it was important to hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Have managed to keep pain under control, but often have that tingling sensation as if it's just under the surface ready to re-emerge. Good luck! hope you find some relief.
I had this for a long time. I bought all sorts of inserts, sometimes doubling them up and iced for ages. Podiatrist said I had developed a bone spur in the arch from the tendon rubbing because it was so tight. I went to a Happy Feet and found an insert that worked for me. I found I could get them online but it was good to try them in person as they come in differet sizes. They're Birkenstock inserts made of cork with a fabric top. The word on them is weird, close to FuBbett. I just move them from shoes to shoes but these, along with keeping a thick cardboard tube that I could roll my feet/arches on throughout the day, has solved my issue. I never did shots.
I have also been told about the cardboard roll, but expanded this to a frozen can of beans. I have tried similar inserts cited, but didn't work for me.
I had a case about 20 years or more ago and was prescribed aspirincan (sp?) A very high dose of aspirin which made my ears ring. Sorry, not much help since I know you can't take on Ibrutinib. It eventually went away however my feet never felt the same.
So i was like you and I had plantar fasciitis for a long time. I had 2 injections and it didn’t feel better. The only thing that helped me was sleeping in a boot. Those plantar fasciitis sleep boots. They helped me tremendously. I extend my toes like a ballerina when I sleep. The opposite Is what is needed to help with the pain. Immediately after wearing the flex boot I would get out of bed and not have pain. 2 weeks i was pain free.
Steroids concerns are not only because of immunity. It also has been shown that steroidal use gives the COVID virus an attachment point for entering the lungs. The coronavirus cannot enter without the help of the TMPRSS2 proteins on our lung cells. Study’s suggest that steroidal and testosterone use in men causes an increase in this protein in the lung tissue. Allowing more attachment points for COVID into the lungs. But if you look hard enough on the internet you will find studies that state the benefits of steroidal therapy as well. So at this point no one knows
Your assessment of steroid use is interesting and puts things into context. I am tempted to ask my Haematologist for her assessment, I wonder if she would know the above!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Don't know if this info is out there yet, but I just wanted to share
My first appointment at MDAnderson and then the trip home.
OSU Trial Cycle 3, Week 5
(Full break) spiral humorous fracture; surgery or let bone heal? 
