I was diagnosed last Nov. with PF by my primary care doctor. I was seen two times, given exercises to do, but with no improvement I was referred to podiatry. I have been seeing the podiatrist since March of this year. I bought the shoes he told me to, I had orthodics made, I wear a night splint, I do exercises, I took a month off work (I stand at work), I take anti-inflamatory pills. The only thing I haven't done is the shots because I hate shots, and the doctor said they have the same effect as the pills...not a cure, just a quick fix until the PF resolves itself...which he says happens in 98% of his cases.
Everything has got much worse over the last few months. I walk with a VERY pronounced limp and am in constant pain. I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without pain and about the same for walking. I have developed a bunion that is very painful and it feels like I am walking on needles on the contact points of my feet. Maybe bone spurs, I don't know. I did have a bone spur on my other foot when they did xrays (in March) but that foot doesn't hurt much (although I do have PF in it, it is not painful unless I favor the bad foot too much and then the good foot starts hurting more).
I have tried so hard to avoid surgery but it looks like it is inevitable now. I just ABSOLUTELY do not want surgery. Is there anything else out there? My doctor seems offended that I don't want surgery...it isn't him, I just want to exhaust all avenues before I do surgery. |
