Foot problem?

[fwassner]

Hi;

I am considering a thru-hike (GA to ME) beginning March 2004.
But I have some concerns, the biggest being my foot.
I had a condition you probably are very familiar with:
Plantar Fasciitis. It is the inflamation of the Plantar Fascia, which is that large ligament running from the heel to just south of the toes.
I started having my problems after doing a marathon, then not resting the prescribed amount of time.
The injury took the whole summer to heal, and still hurts sometimes if I abuse it.

I'm wondering whether this condition will take the kind of walking that a thur-hike demands.

For now, I'm just hoping that it doesn't flare up during my training hikes, which will be multi day/night treks into the mountains of NY and VT to name two.

Any recommendations or suggestions?

Thankd

Frank

[gravityman]

I would suggest search the web about this. There is a lot of info on it. A custom orthotic would be your best bet to prevent it. Also the correct shoes...

Gravity Man

[Grimace]

You'll know if its an issue after your training hikes. If its even a little bit sore after 2 days, it's gonna be debilitating on a thru hike. Make sure you take it easy and "listen" to your body.

[asmtroop3]

Like you mentioned, if you don't let it heal all the way, reoccurance is likely.

Once taken to the level you talked about, scar tissue can occur making a flare up more common.

Like Grimace said, listen to the feets and remember, time is a four letter word.

I'm not a doctor on TV, I play one in real life.:-?

[fwassner]

Thanks for the good advice.
I've always let my body tell me what I can and can't do with it, although I would not have had the Plantar problem if I had listened to it, would have I?
I guess I got a bit overzealous on running after completing a marathon only 1 year after starting a regular running routine.
My age may have caught up to me. I keep having to remind myself that I'm not 22 anymore <g>

I plan my training hikes to be with full pack (probably even heavier than that which I would take on a thru-hike) and in mountains, not easy terrain. That should give me a pretty good idea as to what to expect.

[B Thrash]

Frank, you are not the only one with foot problems, I tore the plantar fascia in my left foot in January 2003 and still have problems with it. Not much pain as when it happen but I can tell it has not healed. I noticed that you said you are suffering from Plantar Fasitis, I may be mistaken but when you have this a heel spur has developed. I have had custom orthotic's made but have not been delivered, ice, streching, medication, rest is what most doctors perscribe. I will start on a 125 mile trip next month and will find out if I can or cannot hike. Have done about twnety 10 mile trips with 40 pack and so far so good.
Good luck with your recovery.





___________________________________

ventis secundis, tene cursum

Go with the flow

[fwassner]

B Thrash;

I did not develop a heel spur. Some cases do, some don't. But from what my doc told me, the spur isn't usually the problem, it only helps to complicate the matter.

I wish that I had time for a 100+ mile hike to test my foot. The only time I may come close to that long before the AT Thru-Hike next spring will be Thanksgiving weekend when I plan to take the entire 4 days to go into the mtns of VT. I could conceivably do 100 miles in those 4 days, but I think that would be pushing a bit... Especially if there's already snow on the ground <g>

I've been running and so far the foot feels good. But loading the pack and walking in the mtns for a few days will be the best test.
I'll be doing that on Labor Day weekend in the Catskills of NY.

[B Thrash]

Frank, you may want to go to Wal-Mart and buy you a supply of Naproxem Sodium tablets or caplets (220mg) before you start your Thanksgiving hike or you can get your doctor to write you a prescription. These caplets is one of the first items that I put in my bag along with Imodium A-D.

[fwassner]

What does Naproxem Sodium do?

I always pack Immodium A-D. That's one product that does what it says it will do!

[B Thrash]

It is a anti-inflammatory drug for pain. I have been taking 550mg two times a day for several months but have purchased the Wal-Mart brand (Equate) 220 mg. This medication was perscribed by my podiatrist when I tore my plantar fascia.

[fwassner]

I'm not sure I like the idea of taking pain killers on a regular basis just so I can do a long hike.
If the foot hurts enough to prevent me from hiking, then I shouldn't be hiking... right?

[B Thrash]

You are right about taking drugs for pain. There is a thru-hiker that is on the trail right now that developed heel spurs during the early part of her hike, she took a few days off and this mediciation mention is what was perscribed for her. Check Thru-hiker journals and see how she has coped with this injury. Her trail name is " Journey".

[gravityman]

Here's a link to a message board that has a lot of people with a lot of experience with planter facitis :

http://heelspurs.com/_safe.html