Plantar fasciitis/plantar nerve pain

[Francesbarbara]

I have had a sudden onset of rather acute pain in sole of one foot. GP suggests it is plantar fasciitis or trapped nerve. Does anyone know if this can be associated with Pred or Methotrexate, both of which I take? Have been on Pred for exactly a year (currently 4.5mg ). Did not do well with Metho and stopped for three months. Have now been back on it for 7 weeks, as consultant so enthusiastic. In past few weeks also trouble with sudden nerve pain right arm when typing, which goes quickly if I stop typing and support the limb. I will be 80 this year.

Thanks for any help.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The identical question was asked here 9 years ago:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

and here on another PMRGCA forum 5 years ago:

patient.info/forums/discuss...

- doesn't seem to be a lot of it around! A few of the contributors are still around here - maybe they'll report on progress.

[Francesbarbara in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks -I've had a few very relevant and helpful replies and have probably given up blaming my medications.....

[suzy1959]

I can’t answer your direct question but I can recommend some flip flops called “oofos”. They helped me to get rid of my plantar fasciitis within a month. I don’t think anyone know what causes it but it is very painful!

[Francesbarbara in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you so much - I'll certainly have a look at oofos as I can see how they'd help.

[Pixix]

I had two ‘bouts’ of plantar fasciitis well before I had PMR so would say unrelated. I was referred to a podiatrist and wore recommended insoles in shoes. Now 18 months into PMR and it has returned in both feet. Due to other issues of arthritis my rheumy referred me to hospital orthotics dept and they produced custom made orthotics that cost over £100 a pair! I’m working my way into those currently in three hours a day usage. I was in remission with PF for about two years the first time then six years the second time but the insoles May have helped. I did have a cortisone injection into the heel butBut didn’t help at all. Hope this story helps but I still don’t think, in my case, it’s related to the polymyalgia! Good luck.

[Francesbarbara in reply to Pixix]

Thank you - this is so very helpful. I believe that the insoles are possibly the most useful treatment. Unfortunately I have particularly narrow feet which might mean that , like you, I would need to have them made to measure. It is quite an expense! Agree that it is probably not related to Poly. - all too easy to blame that condition for everything I suppose.

[Pixix in reply to Francesbarbara]

Glad it helped. The podiatrist tried three different ‘off the shelf’ insoles before finding one that really helped. I didn’t feel that they would make custom ones for PF, it wasn’t in her remit, but now I know they cost so much I understand. Benefits of off the shelf ones..much cheaper and I bought six pairs, and they went into washing machine. Custom ones, after three months of building up time and trials you get a second pair. They can only be cleaned down with antibacterial wipes, and I’m continually changing them from shoe to shoe! But to buy a third pair it more is over £100 per pair. In my case too I am now banned from wearing flip flops, crocs, sandals, heels etc but that may be due to my mix of problems and not the type of insole etc. Take care, they are telling me feet are very important! S x

[S4ndy]

I've had planter fascilitis when I was working and on my feet all day. Because I also had back problem my GP referred me to the NHS podiatrist who had custom insoles made for me. I didn't have to pay. However, that was about 10 years ago and I don't know the current state of NHS podiatry services these days. I imagine they are as rare as hen's teeth and very oversubscribed. Luckily the insoles have lasted and if I get a flare up I use th again. However as I can't be on my feet for long these days, due to spondylosis and PMR, I haven't had a flare up in a long time. Would be worth you asking your GP if a referral is possible. You may be lucky 🙏

[Francesbarbara in reply to S4ndy]

Thank you for a useful reply. I saw my GP yesterday and wish I had asked about custom insoles but it was really just a diagnosis I was after. I'll contact them again and see if I am lucky with regard to a referral. I can't believe how painful this condition is and at the moment it has put paid to some of the lovely walks I usually enjoy.

[S4ndy in reply to Francesbarbara]

Yes it really hurts. The insoles make such a difference. Also ask for a physio referral too as there are exercises that help this condition too. Hope you get lucky 😃

[Bee2222]

I had that years ago and the podiatrist reccommend I wear good trainers never worn them before but it worked walking was a lot better and pain went

[Highlandtiger]

It couldn't be a Morten's Neuroma could it? The pain I had with mine sounds similar to what you've been experiencing.

[Francesbarbara in reply to Highlandtiger]

I think this is a tricky differential diagnosis and you can throw Plantar Nerve Entrapment into the equation too!. My pain is like Morten's as it is described as if marble has got into your shoe and is really acute pain but I also have some swelling which seems absent in Mortons. Treatment of both is similar so I think I just have to keep fingers crossed that it helps. I hope yours has settled down and thanks for your response - much appreciated.

[SandraLinks]

My husband and I both had plantar fasciitis, as we were both on our feet all day. I tried Birkenstocks, and no longer have foot pain. My husband didn’t believe me and went to the podiatrist, which prescribed custom insoles. The insoles made his feet worse. After a couple of years in pain, he finally tried Birkenstocks. No more pain, and these are the only shoes we buy and wear now. It’s worth a try.