A doctor should assess patients who experience unexplained pain in the heel. The individual may be suffering from plantar faciitis and need to receive a treatment that will control their pain. If the patient does not seek treatment immediately, it can have more serious consequences. People who work in industries that require prolonged standing are more likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis. It can lead to serious complications, which may require major surgery and prolong recovery. A comprehensive guide on plantar fasciitis can provide patients with more information about the condition and effective treatments.
What is Plantar fasciitis?
The sudden onset pain between the toes and the heel is a hallmark of plantar fasciitis. The inflammation is persistent and occurs every time an individual steps on their feet. It causes a stabbing sensation that runs through the bottom of the shoe. The most severe cases of this condition cause pain to occur as soon as the individual gets up and places weight on their heel.
The pain may decrease, but it won’t disappear completely. To correct the condition, the patient will need to find a treatment that works. Patients with plantar fasciitis are often advised to wear the correct socks in order to reduce discomfort and relieve pressure on the heels. SockWell USA offers a wide range of plantar fasciitis socks that are perfect for those with the condition.
What are the symptoms?
Plantar fasciitis symptoms are common and simple. When walking, the individual feels heel pain. They notice that it is worse after exercising. Some individuals find that the pain and discomfort makes walking too painful.
Some treatments can be helpful, but if pain and discomfort are too intense with holistic treatments. To prevent pain and discomfort, the individual may need to undergo surgical correction. If you have plantar fasciitis, it is important to understand the symptoms.
What causes it?
Plantar fasciitis is not a condition that doctors can pinpoint the cause. However, it occurs most frequently when a person does not wear shoes with arch support and/or that absorb shocks on hard surfaces. Overuse of the fascia can cause damage to the fascia. Plantar fasciitis is more common in people who work in industries that require them to be on their feet all day long and on surfaces like concrete, without any foot protection. By examining the potential causes, patients can learn how to reduce their risk in the workplace and avoid further damage. Correct footwear could help to correct the condition. Insoles made by companies like Protalus can be used to improve the stability of any shoe and give you more support.
What are the known risk factors?
By examining risk factors, individuals can determine if they’re at risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Their age, for example, is a factor because more cases are reported every day between the ages of 40 and 60. Plantar fasciitis is a result of occupational factors. The fascia is stressed more in occupations like factories, mills and shipyards. Varicose veins are caused by the same occupations or circumstances.
Plantar fasciitis is also more likely to occur in people with abnormalities of the arch. Those with flat feet or arches that are excessively high are most at risk. These individuals walk with their weight unevenly distributed, which puts stress on the fascia.
Risks are increased by extreme workouts and activities that put strain on the fascia. Plantar fasciitis is most common in people who participate in high-affected aerobics and ballet, as well as those who run marathons or triathlons.
Weight is also a factor in the development of plantar fasciitis. People who are overweight or obese for their height have a higher risk. They could also put more pressure on the feet and legs of these individuals, leading to a greater frequency of muscle damage and broken bones. Weight loss can reduce their risk dramatically.
Do You Have Any Complications to Consider?
If risk factors are not eliminated, plantar fasciitis complications begin with more damage to the heels. The patient must make changes to lower their risk, even if they undergo corrective surgery. People who don’t seek treatment will often compensate by shifting weight to an unaffected limb. This sudden shift of weight can cause knee or leg injuries. Plantar fasciitis can cause an individual to walk with a slouched posture and reduce proper posture. The future back problems could require corrective surgery.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors use MRIs to evaluate the heel and rule-out broken bones or heel spurs. The images are taken for both the affected area as well as the entire foot to determine if there are other factors contributing to the pain and discomfort. The images will show damage to the fascia if the patient has plantar fasciitis. The doctor will inform the patient about their treatment options after they have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. They can also help them choose the right solution. The doctor may recommend corrective socks, or stylish plantar fasciitis sock that can be found online.
Does it require medication?
The use of medication is an effective way to control pain and discomfort. Over-the-counter medications may not be sufficient for patients who have more severe fascia damage. When recommending pain medications and pain management, doctors consider the pain threshold of their patients. Doctors are more likely than not to prescribe medications that reduce inflammation, which is often the cause of discomfort. Doctors won’t prescribe opioid-based medication for plantar fasciitis.
What Treatments Are Beneficial to Patients?
Examining the different treatments for plantar fasciitis can help patients find better ways to treat their condition without having to undergo surgical procedures. The doctor will first recommend physical therapy in order to stretch out the fascia and strengthen the muscles that connect the legs. Plantar fasciitis may affect the fascia of the Achilles tendon. The therapist will create a plan of care that includes these exercises.
Patients perform a series stretching exercises to relieve pressure, reduce discomfort and inflammation. In order to relax the fascia, and surrounding muscles due to tension and strain, a physical therapist might include massage and reflexology in their treatment plan. Serotonin levels are increased when the patient is relaxed. This can help to treat pain through feel-good hormones.
Overnight, wearing splints or socks designed for plantar fasciitis will stretch the Achilles tendon and fascia. These products keep the fascia stretched and prevent it from relaxing while you are resting. This process helps to relieve pressure from the fascia, reducing pain and discomfort along the bottom and heel of the foot.
The same benefits are offered by stylish socks, but they hide the splint under a layer. Patients can still enjoy the benefits of splints while maintaining their privacy. The socks are worn by the patient when they exercise or undergo physical therapy.
Lifestyle changes that promote healing and limit discomfort
Patients are advised to make lifestyle changes in order to reduce the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Patients with high arches or flat feet are advised to wear supportive shoes. They should also avoid extreme high heels. Plantar fasciitis patients should not go barefoot as this increases the pressure on fascia.
By controlling their weight, and starting an exercise or diet program, they can reduce their risk of developing new conditions. Ask your doctor what weight is healthy for you and how you can achieve that through diet and physical activity. It prevents recurrences, and the person does not have to undergo new surgery.
After a long day at work or after exercising, ice therapy can reduce inflammation and control discomfort. Doctors recommend applying ice for 15 minutes at a time, three times a day.
Those at risk for plantar fasciitis should avoid extreme sports, and instead find other ways to keep fit. Even though they may enjoy the sport. Extreme options can lead to worse outcomes and permanent damage to heels. It is recommended that they choose low-impact exercises, which are beneficial to their health but won’t permanently damage the body.
Plantar fasciitis patients have a variety of treatment options. One is to wear socks that provide the same benefits as an ankle splint. The socks are manufactured with the entire splint in them. However, the socks hide the splint. Wearing the socks while exercising and walking can help relieve severe pain. Stretching the fascia or Achilles tendon can relieve tension and pressure from plantar fasciitis. The doctors may recommend lifestyle changes to provide relief that does not require surgery. It is important to consider all treatment options available for plantar fasciitis.
