Foot Pain

[oyster]

For the past few months, I have been getting plantar fasciitis - pain under my right foot. Forced me not to cycle as each day I pedalled, it got worse.

Happily, some better foot rest, using Voltarol gel, and B12 tablets (1000 micrograms a day), have seen considerable improvements and I am now cycling again. Indeed, pedalling seems to be helping it to get better.

Mentioning this because it seems a very odd combination. There is some evidence that B12 sometimes improves the effectiveness of diclofenac (the active ingredient of Voltarol) but I have been amazed at the changes. (There is some evidence that B12 can act as pain relief agent but the effect is usually thought to be modest. More commonly used in Russia than western Europe.) Voltarol on its own reduced the pain. But adding in the B12 has improved the healing as well as making the Voltarol more efficient - so it seems. I am using less but it is more effective.

 

[Fingers]

Co Drydamol solved my foot problems.

just Use it when you need it.

 

[oyster]

I think with this kind of pain you cannot drive the car. You must pass a full medical check up right before getting the right to get back to the road. You really must be dangerous to other traffic participants.

I have seen GPs, a specialist foot consultant, multiple podiatrists, and all any of them did was prescribe or advise treatments that worsened the pain - sometimes dramatically. I'd have little or no faith in their ability to assess the impact on me - for driving or anything else.

Unlike some issues, plantar fasciitis is well-known for tending to be painful in the morning and then resolving - at least mostly - for the rest of the day.

I do not consider it to be a significant issue when driving. If it is bad, I won't drive. If it is mild or there is no pain at all, I will.

Using adaptive cruise control helps in avoiding the need to maintain pressure on the accelerator. Which is the only bit of driving that seems in any way to aggravate the plantar fasciitis. Even then, only when needed for extended periods. Never have any issue braking.

 

[sjpt]

Here's some advice I got from a local therapist that worked for me. I got it just before a walking holiday in the West of Scotland and there wasn't time for an appointment. I think my case was probably a lot less serious than it is for many people, though.

I would say massage you calves, and ice your heel after you have been walking.
You can stand on a step on your toes and gently lower your heels to stretch the calves. Don't bounce!