If you had to choose the weakest part of the foot, it would be the heel. Those who suffer from this ailment know first hand the pain that begins after getting up in the morning or after walking for a while. Plantar fasciitis is a very common problem and is the number one cause of heel pain. It not only affects those who play sports, but also those who do not wear appropriate shoes or who have bad posture, says our general doctor Josecarlo Gutiérrez.
Additionally, plantar fasciitis can be caused by excessive foot movement or pronation, poor flexibility and strength of the plantar flexor muscles and overstretching of the Achilles tendon.
What provokes it?
Dr. Gutiérrez says that the causes can be varied largely depending on environmental, postural and genetic factors. The most common causes of this disease are:
- Overload due to physical or sports activity
- Direct trauma to the sole of the foot
- Retraction of the Achilles tendon
- Problems with the arch of the foot (flat feet, pronators, or a change in gait)
- Obesity or a sudden weight gain
- Use of incorrect or defective footwear, poor arch support or soft soles
What treatment can I follow?
The correct method would be to follow a treatment of anti-inflammatory medication and perform different physiotherapy treatments aimed at reducing inflammation. In addition, Dr. Josecarlo Gutierrez recommends:
- Use night splints when you sleep in order to stretch your foot
- Rest as much as you can for at least a week
- Wear footwear with good support and shock absorption
In persistent cases, you can opt for local infiltration treatment with corticosteroids or surgery.
A practical way to verify that everything is alright in the ankles, muscles and Achilles tendon is to stretch the plantar fascia (the bridge of the foot) in the morning before setting foot on the ground. Doing activities in moderation will also help to prevent plantar fasciitis. In the event that the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or swollen, the plantar fasciitis will need to be assessed.
*Content validated by the mediQuo medical team.
