bilateral leg pain

[painandconfusion]

i am 37 years old and have had plantar fasciitis for almost 3 years. i have had many treatments for plantar fasciitis including inserts for my shoes, many pairs of new shoes, physical therapy for both my feet and my knee, injections and have been on all types of NSAIDS since this started. i have had 3 MRI's of my neck, low back and my knee to rule out other causes. About a year ago the pain from my feet started to move up my legs into a throbbing, aching, cold type of pain that is relieved by heat and time and pain medication (darvocet). it is better when i am moving and increases when my legs get cold or when i sit or lay to the point of tears or if i am on my feet for prolonged periods of time. it is bilateral, intermittent and has progressed to mid thigh. i saw a reumatologist about 1 year ago who prescribed Lyrica and said it was coming from the prolonged foot pain, i waited 1 year out of fear of medication but then gave in and started with only 50 mg daily. i don't want to be on meds i want to figure out why! Is their anyone else out there with suggestions?

Tired of being in pain!

[Tuckamore]

Helo Painandconfusion,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. Ouch, painful feet are terrible to deal with and I am sorry that you have this condition.

I did some additional reading on this condition though I have seen it several times. Plantar Fasciitis is the most common condition of heel pain. It occurs when the long fibrous plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue resulting in pain and inflammation.

Plantar fasciitis causes the inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament which runs along the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia ligament is made of fibrous bands of tissue and runs between the heel bone and your toes and stretches with every step. Inflammation develops when tears occur in the tissue.

Because you have had it for 3 years I imagine the condition has worsen. When this happens more serious or invasive forms of treatment may be required to stop pain. Additional problems can develop such as Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, or other heel pain conditions. Have you taken time off to rest your feet, elevate them, apply ice and use NSAID's? If not that is the first treatment.

I assume you have seen a podiatrist. They are the experts in the field. If you haven't I encourage you to do so. Usually steroid injections are tried when NSAID's and rest are not successful. You must be cautious with these injections as over time they can actually weaken the area.

In more advanced cases that do not respond to all of the above, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a treatment can be tried. Sound waves are sent through the damaged tissue in order to stimulate the damaged tissue and encourage healing. This method is relatively new in treating plantar fasciitis and your physician will be able to tell you if it is the right method for you. Lastly, surgery is the last option for those suffering from chronic or severe plantar fasciitis.

I encourage you to take the medication as prescribed. This condition can become life-long if not treated aggressively. At 37 you are much to young to have to deal with this forever. Non of us want to take medications but I don't know any of us that really have a choice. I want to get out of bed in the morning and walk on our lake front and neither would be possible without narcotics. Lyrica is not a narcotic.

I am not a physician so these are only my personal opinions. I do think you need to have a consult with your PCP and obtain a referral (if needed) to a podiatrist. Follow their suggestions closely. It is very important that you clear up this condition as soon as possible. The longer it goes untreated the more you risk this becoming permanent or developing addition foot related conditions.

Please let us know how you are doing. You are always welcome here and we will gladly offer any support that you can.

Good luck to you and take care, Tuck

[sandee1818]

Others will post But I honestly do not know much at all about foot pain and problems.
Does the medication help you with the pain? What does the doctor say as far as options you have? I am not sure what could be done as far as surgery but other here will have more advice:)