[Trail Angel]

How is backpacking with PF?

[Chief Joseph]

Not sure about backpacking but I am likely to find out this summer. I had held off from playing basketball for 3 weeks, then played a couple of games 2 weeks ago and my heel hurt a LOT. So no more bball for a while if at all.

My PF has pretty much stabilized, still hurts but tolerable. I bought some heel pads from Freddys for about 8 bucks that are specifically for PF and they have helped some. They have 2 types in stock, I bought the non gel type.

--------------
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.

[Steve Erickson]

In response to the question about how is backpacking with PF, it only hurt when I put the foot that had it on the ground.

[boot up]

[coldrain108]

[DIYSteve]

[Chief Joseph]

So, it's been nearly a year since the beginning of my Plantar Fasciitis problem and after giving up basketball and very limited hiking throughout the year, my problem is very nearly gone, with only occasional pain...interestingly, even when I simply think about playing basketball again my foot will begin to hurt, lol.

So, my question is, should I attempt to play basketball again and if so how far back might it set my recovery and-or should I give it more time? I am 55 and recently retired, and since June 1st have not been on my feet for 8 hrs per day as I was, my condition quickly improved during the 1st few months of retirement.

I know the easy answer is "No way!"...don't do it! Problem is I have always loved playing and also miss the exercise. Another concern is that it might set me back far enough to mess up my Summer hiking plans.

Please don't tell me to ask my Doctor, they don't know anything, lol.

--------------
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.

[Bernardo]

Everything in moderation is probably possible.  Be sensitive to the signals your body is sending.  Various tears might be a bigger concern.  You might be moving in ways and at speeds your body is not used to and that can lead to injuries.

[InFlight]

Can't address playing basketball.

Time to heal is really the only way.  I spent a lot of time swimming to keep in shape with PF.

I have switched to hiking/backpacking in low rise trail runners.  When you don't have a huge heel cushion you will develop a slightly different stride with less heel strike.  I also began use trekking poles most of the time as well, which slightly reduces leg stress.  I have had no further PF issues after making these changes.

--------------
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...”  ― Henry David Thoreau

[DIYSteve]

[Chief Joseph]

I was afraid of that. Problem is I have a problem with someone telling me I can't do something, not meaning you Steve or anyone in particular. I also miss the camaraderie of the guys, and if I go to hang out, I'll probably end up playing. Maybe I will simulate some basketball action and see what happens and maybe try stretching it a bit prior.

--------------
Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.

[treeswarper]

What about off the shelf orthotics?

I've had better results with those than the $$$ doctor made ones.  Arch support is part of the "cure".

Now I need to go for a walk...

--------------
What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities

[Hesman]

I'd say moderation. Go on a few short hikes first and see how your feet feel.

I had a bad case of PF about 10 years ago in my left foot. I lost a lot weight and it went away. Since then I have noticed that I walk differently because of the PF that I had. Before I had it I had a long stride, but now I have a much shorter stride that I use to have. My left hip has bothered me off and on (mostly rather tight muscles that loosen up with some streatching) since my PF went way and I sometimes wondered if the way I walked when I had PF caused some agrivation to my hip area. I will admit that because of the PF I had I haven't been as gungho about going hiking as I had been before getting PF. Probably because I thought it would come back from hiking on uneaven ground with a pack.

--------------
You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. - Abraham Lincoln
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. - Dr. Seuss

[williswall]

Over 50: avoid percussive martial arts and basketball if you want to limit injury.

--------------
Don't be an Unmasked Mouth Juicer
williswall.com

[Tom]

Sounds about right.  Turned 50 last year.  Don't have PF but high arches have taken their toll.  Pranced around in flip flops with nary any issue less than 2 years ago.  As of late walking is only tolerable with custom orthotics.