Foot problem threatening my trip to Italy next week

I've traveled with plantar fasciitis and even sprained my knee the night before a trip and was on crutches. I went. I modified what I did, but I still enjoyed it.

You may have to modify what you do, but there's no reason to cancel the entire trip. Let's face it, there are people in wheelchairs who travel all the time. You do what you can do.

You may not be able to hike the Cinque Terre, but you can still enjoy its beauty. You may have trouble walking around Rome but there are plenty of places to stop, rest and have a drink or gelato. You could hire a driver to take you from place to place. You could us the hop-on/hop-off bus. You could even get a wheelchair--which would get your special treatment almost anywhere you go.

In other words.....don't think about not going, think about new ways to see what you want and preventing pain at the same time.

You might want to think about getting yourself a collapsible cane or or a collapsible cane with a seat. It will have to be checked but might help when you just need to take the weight off your feet.

Thanks Frank...those are some good tips.

I'd just like to compliment Frank II for giving fine advice to you in this difficult situation: his counsel is both realistic and also sensitive to your situation.

It's an unavoidable travel fact of life that at least two of those destinations--Rome and Cinque Terre--normally entail a lot of walking. So you'll probably want to think about how to modify the activities you would have engaged in, if this hadn't happened.

Rome: A greater use of taxis in Rome probably makes sense, the extra money would probably be well worth it, the taxis can drop you at the front door of museums, etc, still a lot of walking but it will reduce it.

Cinque Terre: Of course, the same strategy won't work in the Cinque Terre, where the villages are unusually hilly. There are only a few flat trails there.

Lake Como: Good news! The best views in Lake Como are to be had from the public ferries that ply the mid-lake area between the triangle formed by Varenna, Bellagio and Menaggio--you'll get those postcard views without having to walk much at all. And Varenna's walkway along the lake is pretty flat, but excursions off the lakeside walkway get steep quick.

Good luck on this.

Question about the Cinque Terre. Would I be able to admire the Cinque Terre from closer to the water (i.e. taking the boat from town to town if it's operating or taking the train) as much as if I were hiking above each town on the trails? I appreciate everyone's advice. I thought I had planned for every variable except for this darn foot problem!

Sheron, answering your last question: Would I be able to admire the Cinque Terre from closer to the water, taking the boat?

Yes! The boat between the villages will offer postcard views not obtainable from anywhere else, so this is a very good idea for you in this situation!

You also asked about the trains in the CT, and unfortunately the realistic advice there is going to be that the trains don't offer very many views--so that's not going to help much.

But the CT boat is a very good idea in your situation.

And in Lake Como, the lakeside walks are pretty flat in these three mid-lake villages, which are the ones you'd want to see anyway (even if you didn't have the foot problem):

VarennaBellagioMenaggio

Magellans has a full page of walking aids for travelers. Check out the Sport Seat and the Pack Seat as well as the collapsible canes. (My suggestion would be the Sport Seat--good for helping you rest your feet and swinging at pickpockets who get too close :) )

Magellans

Sheron,

I'd also suggest asking your Physician or Podiatrist if there's something they can suggest to "minimize" the difficulties caused by Hallux Limitus. Depending on the severity (Stage 1 to Stage 4), I believe those with milder symptoms can achieve some relief with a "Dancer's Pad" or a custom orthotic. Was Cortisone ever suggested?

Frank II and Kent have offered some excellent suggestions. However, it's difficult for any of us to tell you either to go or to stay home, as we're not "walking in your shoes", so that's why I felt it would be a good idea to involve your Doctor in the decision.

I've also travelled with Plantar Fasciitis, and in fact I hiked the trails in the Cinque Terre while I was suffering with it (although I didn't know at the time what was causing my feet to hurt). It was so painful it took me two days to hike all of the trails, but I was firmly resolved to hike all of them despite the pain!

It would be a shame to miss your trip after working on it and anticipating it for almost a year.

Good luck and hope you find a solution that will allow you to take the trip.

Ken, I saw my podiatrist on Thurs & he gave me a cortisone shot & unfortunately I've exhausted all treatment options at this point. I wear the tennis shoes that my doc likes & wear orthotics, etc. I hadn't had a flare-up in almost 2 years so I didn't think it would be a problem for the trip. But, murphy's law is of course otherwise! I really appreciate everyone's kind thoughts & advice. I have never been on a vacation that did not involve A LOT of walking and I know Italy is no exception. It helps to know that several of you have made the trip with various painful ailments so it can be done! Thanks again for your thoughtful advice.

I went to Italy with a fractured ankle that I didn't know was fractured!! Last year, just a few weeks before my trip to Italy, I took a bad step on the stairs at home and turned my ankle (sideways). I went to the doctor who said that it was just a bad sprain. Unfortunately, that was a bum diagnosis, and it was actually fractured. I got along in Italy just fine with it anyway. One of the places we stayed at was a B & B in Amalfi in the middle of a steep hillside. It was 300 (treacherous) steps down the cliffside from the road above and another 656 steps down to the road leading to town. I think that you will do just fine if you can take some anti-inflammatories to help with the stiffness and pain. I have also traveled abroad with stress fractures and plantar fasciitis in my foot as well.

Go on your trip and have a good time.

Unfortunately this is not as simply as some would like to believe. This involves the big toe and the big toe is critical to walking and balance. And the general solution is to immobilize the foot and not put any pressure on the toe -- very difficult to achieve if doing any walking. And very unfortunately the rough streets will add to your problem. You may find a pair of crutches helpful and maybe a brace to reduce pressure on the toe. And it is not comparable to plantar fasciitis which is very controllable with proper exercise and shoes. Good luck --

Something that helped me a lot (after I got back from Italy) was an AirCast. It is a hard plastic inflatable cast with a foam lining that I used to stabilize my entire foot and ankle. I was able to walk "normally" without any pain at all because the entire foot and ankle was immobilized. An orthopedic doctor would be able to obtain one of these for you, but I don't know about a podiatrist.

How about renting a motorized wheelchair or scooter? There's a website, www.accessibleitaly.com that has a number of possibilities. I have a colleague who rents wheelchairs or scooters whereever she goes and she does travel a lot, though never to Italy since becoming disabled.

Just thought I'd post an update & let you all know that I'm leaving Thursday morning for Italia!!! After 2 visits to my foot doctor, he convinced me to go on the trip. I took Frank II's advice & got a little fold-up tripod-style stool so that I can sit if I need to & we will use taxi's more than planned in Rome. For the Cinque Terre, I will try to do the easier hikes between villages & the harder ones I'll leave to hubby while I sit somewhere & people watch & eat gelato. Thanks to everyone for weighing in on my quandry. Hopefully my feet will cooperate. I have learned my lesson from this & will definitely purchase trip insurance in the future!!

I don't know if it is too late for this answer as you are leaving soon, but thought I would write anyway.

I suffer from arthritis in my big toe, it is painful all the time, shoes on or off. Since I am on my feet all day at work, I am always trying to find some kind of shoe that will help my poor big toe feel better. Had tried on some MBT shoes and from the first moment, thought this is for me. With a really rounded sole, your foot just rolls and my toe didn't hurt. But, they cost over 200 euro here. So, was saving my money until I saw these new shoes from Sketcher, called Shape-ups, and they have a round sole similar to MBT, but only cost 99 euro. I bought a pair and have been wearing them every day for the past month. (no blisters either, and I probably walk around 5-6 miles every day) Could not be more thrilled. Amazing what the round sole can do to make your foot feel better. Why not try a pair on and see if this helps?

I just skimmed, so maybe I missed this, but is it that you feel like you might be wrecking the trip for your companion(s)?

If so, I'd like to share a bit. I have a chronic neurological illness. I have about 1 good week a month (in scattered days). I guess I figure I can stay home and look at the same old same old or I can go and enjoy what I can to the fullest that I'm able. And for my companions? They're happy to wander without me if I'm limited. We agree upon honest conversation. They believe me and don't try to cajole, cheer, or force me to do things when I'm unable when I say so. That saves on a ton of "arguing". We agree to believe each other at face value--great deal. They go and enjoy what I can't. And I find little pieces of bliss on my own.

Great compromise.

I would say, go for it.

Now for a bit of honesty, I'm only planning my first trip to Italy and so, maybe I'm not qualified to answer this? I have traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, Canada, and the Carribbean. But I think travel is travel.

This works for me. Now, rest while you can, take your vitamins, we'll all pray for the cortisone to kick in (I'm a registered nurse!--sometimes this takes some time).

And post about your trip when you get back.

TAKE CARE!

Sheron, glad to hear you will be going,, and I am sure you will have a great( but maybe different ) time. I think the cane with the flip up stool is a great idea too.Have fun.

Elizabeth, what a great system you have worked out,, and great travel companions. It must have been difficult at first for them not to want to cajole you to keep going etc, but I think the compromise of each side being able to do what they want is best.. its not like sitting and having an extra gelato while people watching is torture either right? LOL

Thanks Pat, it is a good system!

It's better than all that awkward negotiating. Works for all times--when I feel good and I want to go, don't stand in my way or remind me that I'm sick ("Are you sure you can do that? Do you feel well enough? Won't that be too much for you?"). I just want to go. When I'm at my limit, listen to what I'm saying.

Good lesson for all, if we could just be truthful and accept each other's feelings just at face value (and speak them simply and with love), so much other stuff wouldn't get in the way.

Perhaps this is the "gift" of being sick. (I'm a glass half full kind of person, so I like to think some good has come from all this)

Happy travels.

One other thing you might want to do, and I hope people here won't jump on me, is to call your airline and request a wheelchair on both ends of the flight. There's no charge but it is customary to tip the person pushing you.

It's great. You're taken right to the front of the security line. TSA actually treats you decently, they wheel you to the gate, and the airline will let you board early. Plus...you might get reseated into Bulkhead or an open row with extra leg room.

Upon arrival, you are met at the gate, taken straight through immigration and customs, and they will wheel you out the door.

Practically no walking whatsoever. And with the size of terminals these days, the walk to the gate could be "miles."

Thank you again everybody for your advice and input. You have all given me excellent ideas that I will utilize.

Frank II, I did think about asking for a wheel chair as I am concerned about all the walking through the airport. I will see how my feet are doing the morning that we leave & if I'm in pain, I will ask for a wheelchair. Great idea. Thanks.

Elizabeth, I agree with your advice as well...I'm a pretty "up front" kind of person and I find it frustrating when people won't speak up and expect you to read their minds! I definitely know my limits regarding my feet & I will not hesitate to speak up if I need to stay behind and rest while hubby does some sight-seeing.

Thanks again everyone for all your support, not just regarding this posting but throughout the last year of my research and planning for the trip. This forum has really been invaluable. I'm so glad I found it.

This is a great thread for people who have illnesses or disabilities and want to travel. My daughter uses a wheelchair, but that hasn't stopped her or us from doing alot of travelling. Calling ahead or just thinking a little bit more beforehand about what challenges you may face are the best things you can do.

My husband will be in a walking cast for our trip to Europe next month and we are not going to let that stop us from having a great time.