Feet Question for Medics/Clerks

[Devlin]

I am a reservist, with some pretty tore up feet. My civie doctor has presribed orthodics for me, he mentioned that I should check through our system if it is something the military will cover under medical insurance (not sure of correct term here). Problem is I have (plantar fascetus = flat feet) it has become quite painful, standing hurts a lot, drill is cruel and unusal punishment for me.

Never had this problem before being in the military, not sure if it‘s coincidence or not; my doctor isn;t certain either.

Anyone here have any experience with this, would it be covered for a reservist. My orderly room said to submit a memo with a copy of my prescription so the MO can look at it.

Any advice or input would be appreciated.

 

[combat_medic]

Plantar Fasciitis (or heel spurs), which I assume you‘re referring to are usually caused by prolonged periods of standing or running.

Being (I assume) a class A reservist, you need to be able to prove that this was caused due to service in the military. If you ever saw a doctor or medic about this problem while on a course or other class B contract, there should be a record. Unforunately, it‘s very difficult to prove that it was caused because of military service. If you can, then the army may be able to compensate you for the cost of orthotics. If not, then you‘re pretty much SOL, I‘m sorry to say.

 

[Devlin]

Correct plantar fasciitis is what I am referring to. Nope I never spoke to a medic or Dr. about it while on course or otherwise, always figured it was just sore feet. Until my civie Dr. pointed it out to me.

Guess I‘ll have to submit the memo and see what happens.

 

[Bert]

Well, it might just be simply sore feet aggravated by the fact that you are doing things you never did before... lots of running and drill. After basic, your feet will likely return to normal. Plantar Fasciitis is a sore or irritated tendon network under the foot that runs across the arch. Its common among everyone, but more so with people with "flatter feet" and fallen arches who are on their feet alot.

Simple over-the-counter insoles with arch support and cushioning will reduce the symptoms significantly. I recommend the Spenco Polysorb Everyday (general cushioning and support). The Spenco product line
(i.e. http://www.footcarestore.com/FN_spenco.htm
and http://www.spenco.com/polysorb.html )
is pretty good. There are other manufacturers of cushioning/arch support insoles that will do the trick. Orthotics is another way to go, but I‘d try over the counter insoles first to reduce costs and avoid issues with the medical staff.

 

[combat_medic]

Um, Bert, if the guy‘s doctor disgnosed him with Plantar Fasciitis, and his giving him prescription orthotics for the problem. This isn‘t simply an issue of sore feet, and I would really follow the doc‘s advice rather than wasting money on over-the-counter insoles that won‘t fix the problem. It‘s a band-aid solution to a larger problem.

 

[Bert]

Granted, but Plantar Fasciitis is not a disease and not necessarily a crippling medical or structural condition. Its very common and most people get by quite well with over-the-counter insoles. Some don‘t. The foot is a complicated unit and GP doctors are not always the best at troubleshooting foot problems.

I‘m no expert. I‘m just suggesting over-the-counter insoles specific for the task may do the trick quite well. If it doesn‘t, there are other avenues.

 

[Bert]

Ok Mr. Combat_Medic, you ticked me off. For that, you are getting MY foot story.

Forgive me for hijacking your thread Devlin and I‘ll say in advance that my experiences and situation do not match yours. Just something to think about.

During my training for the CF fitness test, I did alot of running. More running than I have ever done in my life. I started getting chronic foot pain between the medial and lateral arches of my right foot. I used good shoes for training but my work boots are almost three sizes too large due to excessively wide feet.

Getting fed up with the pain, I visited my GP and he suggested orthotics and referred my to a foot doctor (I won‘t bother spelling it). The foot doctor performed an examination, ran X-rays, and an MRI. No medical, soft tissue, or structural reason could be found to suggest the reason for the pain. He suggested orthotics too. (I‘d figured out that doctors, as knowledgable as they are, THEY ARE NOT MECHANICAL ENGINEERS!)

I went to the orthotic clinic and discovered I overpronate and overpronate quite extensively on my right foot. A computer characterized my foot-fall and an orthotic was recommended. For $430, ($300 of which was paid by group insurance), I got myself a pair.

I used those bosterds for three months and at the end of each working day, I could hardly walk from the pain. The arch support was too aggressive. I had to stop running. Two more "refittings" failed to provide suitable comfort.

Realizing that the orthotics didn‘t provide alot of cushioning, especially in the forefoot, I tried over-the-counter insoles for awhile to get my foot to heal. To my amazement, my foot pain significantly reduced. I stopped using the orthotics altogether.

Since then, I experimented with insoles and found (for me) the Spenco Polysorb Everyday to be the best thing since Rickard‘s Red Beer. I don‘t have foot pain at all and I‘m on my feet practically all day.

 

[Devlin]

I‘ve tried the Spenco product infact several models to no avail. Some days if I had a chop saw handy I would cut the feet off just to get some relief. Have tried several types of footwear as well from sandals, wrestling shoes, running shoes, combat boots, jungle boots, new Goretex combats are also no help in fact they are the worst of the lot.

I‘ve had plain old sore feet before and this is definately different.

In civie world I do a lot of classroom training and spend some of my days on my feet. Moving around helps, but standing in one place or getting up out of a cold hootchie is **** .

Have to see what our MO says about it, hey you never know until you ask the question right.

 

[GhostRecce]

Feet are the easy to take care of. just make sure you have good insoles and foot powder and you should be set. making sure you have the right size boots helps to

 

[Bert]

Dang, sorry Devlin. Mr. Combat_Medic makes a good point then. Make sure you research orthotics
if they are prescribed to you. Some orthotic clinics are good and others, like my experience, offer you less than what you expect. Maybe see a foot specialist like a Podiatrist/Surgeon. Good luck.

 

[combat_medic]

Bert: please stop calling me Mr. who ever said I was even male....

 

[muskrat89]

Dang, CM.. I was expecting a barrage

 

[Bert]

Double post.

 

[Bert]

Dang. Wrong about feet. Wrong about gender. My girlfriend continually says I‘m wrong too. Its not my week.