Plantar fascitis and walking

Question
I enjoy power walking,but my plantar fascitis hurts after I walk. Would special shoes prevent it? Or podiatry recomended orthotics? Also can I get equal benefit by bicycling vs walking?  Steve

Answer
Doctors and orthotics can help in severe cases, but many times, getting better shoes and cutting back on mileage for a while will work.

Go to a specialty running store and have them help you find proper shoes for the mechanical characteristics of your feet. Then, be sure and replace the shoes every 400-500 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Because your plantar fascia is already irritated, you may have to cut way down on your walking mileage for a few weeks until the inflammation gets better. Then, you can begin to build up your miles walked until you get to where you want to be.

Bicycling, done vigorously enough, will give you similar benefits to walking. However, because walking is a weight-bearing exercise, it gives you extra benefits for the bones of your lower body. Bicycling might be a very good alternative while you are cutting back on your walking, but it is not a perfect replacement. Also, be careful if you bicycle on public byways. I have known many runners and walkers who suffered varying degrees of injuries from falls or encounters with cars.