[Grannyhiker]

For me, nothing worked until I started wearing the night splint.  It seems that when you relax in sleep, your feet go into a pointed toe position, allowing cramping of the fascia.  With the splint, my foot stayed at right angles to my leg, so no cramping.  (That's why, if you sleep streteched out full length, and are borderline on height, you probably want the longer size sleeping bag.)

Of course I tried all the other ideas here, too.  The internet is full of ideas, although I tried to stick with recognized medical sites because there's a lot of quackery out there.

While since the big attack, there's been an occasional twinge of pain, very gentle stretching before and after hiking/exercise walking helps.  Stretching must be gentle so as not to tear anything!  I also found that, for me, the green Superfeet really helped (and continue to do so).  I haven't had to use the night splint for several years, but I keep it around just in case.

Of course everyone's feet are different, so (like me) you'll want to try all the suggestions here to find out what works for you.

I didn't find either the GP or the podiatrist to be much help, either.

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.--E.Abbey

[Bernardo]

Sounds like very many get PF, then adapt to keep going.  When I first had it it was crazy painful but with some footwear and impact adjustments it mostly stopped hurting.  I wear orthotics all the time except when doing sports including hiking.  Stretching is definitely good.

[LizzyRN]

I am dealing with plantar faciitis, burstitis,  and an untreated non-union fracture of my fifth metatarsal that a tendon runs right over the top of causing tendinitis, all in the same foot.  I went to our rockstar podiatrist Jay Cocheba  (after a not so stellar one) and he gave me one very specific stretch, icing, recommended some different hiking shoes (i usually wear flexible trailrunners and needed more support like a Vibram sole, and different work shoes (I'm a RN), trekking poles and most importantly, he modified the Super Feet (twice) that I  was using. Within 2 months, my foot feels 75-80% better. It's pretty awful, but most will resolve with time, stretching and preventing the foot drop with sleep.

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LizzyRN

Where's my inhaler?!

[Chief Joseph]

I think I will try some of those socks that are supposed to have the same affect at the boot, which is too cumbersome to wear to bed imho.

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

[hikersarenumber1]

There are exercises you can do.  I would go to a good PT.

[Sculpin]

A few things I have learned about PF:

I have a good, highish arch, and a damaged, lower arch.  Only the lower arch gets PF.

I can go months or years with no pain.  Then I will wear a pair of shoes that start out OK, but get worn and cause PF.  The foot grinds into the foot bed, and depresses the heel and toe regions relative to the arch.  The shoe then bulges in the middle and loads the plantar fascia at the back of your arch.  Throw away the shoes and it still takes a few weeks to get better.  This lag in time makes it hard to pinpoint which shoes are causing the problem sometimes.

I was once trying on new shoes and put on a pair of New Balance.  I could not walk 10 feet without limping from PF pain.  The arch was too high.

Some advice out there recommends arch support and padding.  That is the opposite of what you need.  Severe PF is treated with metal plates in your shoes!  PF is caused by impingement on the plantar fascia in the arch, not an unsupported arch.  That is why heel cups work, they lift the arch so the shoe does not impinge.

My hiking boots do not load my plantar fascia.  I can start a long trip with PF and get back with less PF.

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Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir

[Chief Joseph]

I agree about the shoe making a huge difference especially when one gets older. I had an old pair of Nike basketball shoes, I wore them for years and only used them for inside basketball, they still looked like new, were very comfortable and fit like a glove.

Then I began getting achilles tendon on my left foot, I bought new shoes and it went away after  bit. Then I decided to try to get some more wear of of the shoes by wearing them at work. After about 2 hours of excruciating pain, I took a break and bought some new shoes, problem solved.

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

[Pyrites]

I'm cautious about anecdotal evidence but I can tell this is something that treated and prescription followed, may go away slowly, but at least some times it does go away.

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Keep Calm and Carry On?
               Heck No.
Stay Excited and Get Outside!

[DIYSteve]

[LizzyRN]

This one with a 2-strap/stirrup design might have worked better: https://www.amazon.com/StabilityAce-Plantar-Fasciitis-Achilles-Tendonitis/dp/B01J0DP8WW?th=1


This is the same one that my podiatrist recommended.

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LizzyRN

Where's my inhaler?!

[Chief Joseph]

I actually played basketball last night and amazingly I can still walk today. My foot didn't hurt while playing and is just a bit sore today, but then I am pretty much sore all over, lol. Hopefully it will hold up, I have different shoes so I think that helped. Wish me luck!

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

[DIYSteve]

good luck. and don't push it bro 

[timberghost]

Has anyone's gotten better where they no longer have the problem?

[Chief Joseph]

Mine pretty much went away not too long after I retired, my job required me to be on my feet all day, so that for sure  exacerbated the problem. I still think my PF began because of poor fitting shoes that I bought online. Don't buy footwear online, unless you already have worn an identical pair.

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

[Seventy2002]

10+ years ago I developed ankle pain and stiffness, first thing in the morning. My doctor, and a specialist he sent me to, said there was nothing wrong. Custom orthotics didn't help.
I Googled "morning ankle pain" and got a diagnosis of plantar faciitis. Dr. Google prescribed stretching exercises that cleared it up in about two weeks.
Every now and then my ankle gives me a warning. A few stretches and I'm good.