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One of the biggest no-no’s when you’re experiencing pain in your heel is to be on a hard surface without shoes on.
At least 75% of our female patients who have heel pain admit to standing in the kitchen without shoes on. Standing on any surface, especially a hard one, isn’t good when you have foot pain.
Please don’t kill the messenger, but wearing shoes or really good sandals at home can be a game-changer.
As you may have read in one of our emails, inflammation of the plantar fascia can turn into degeneration of it (which is bad!). The term is called Plantar Fasciosis. This condition can be more painful and more difficult to cure than plantar fasciitis.
In this post, we will explore the differences between Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fasciosis, symptoms to watch out for, and how to relieve pain.
Understanding What Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fasciosis Is
If you're experiencing pain in your heel, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciosis. These are common conditions that affect the plantar fascia ligament that runs along the bottom of your foot.
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by repetitive stress or overuse.
Plantar fasciosis, on the other hand, is a degenerative condition that results from long-term plantar fasciitis or other chronic foot conditions.
One common cause of both conditions is standing on hard surfaces barefoot. When you stand on a hard surface without support, your foot's arch flattens, putting pressure on the plantar fascia ligament. This tension can lead to inflammation, pain, and even small tears in the ligament.
In the next section, we'll discuss the common causes of plantar fasciitis and fasciosis, so you can better understand how to prevent these conditions.
Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fasciosis
Plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis can be caused by a variety of factors, some of the more common ones are:
- Overuse of the feet
- Repetitive strain
- Improper footwear
Wearing flat shoes with no arch support or wearing shoes with worn-out soles are big culprits of plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis. This puts excessive pressure on the plantar fascia ligament, which can lead to inflammation and pain.
On the other hand, some people may experience pain when wearing high-heeled shoes. This is because high heels put additional pressure on the balls of the feet and shorten the Achilles tendon, which can cause strain on the plantar fascia ligament.
Symptoms to Watch Out for With Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fasciosis
If you're experiencing pain in your heel, it's important to identify the symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis. Some of the most common symptoms include pain and stiffness in the bottom of the foot, especially near the heel. This pain can often be worse in the morning or after sitting for extended periods of time. In some cases, you may also experience swelling or tenderness in the affected area.
It's also worth noting that while plantar fasciitis is a relatively common condition, it can often be mistaken for other injuries or ailments. This is why it's essential to speak to a medical professional if you're experiencing persistent or severe pain in your foot. They can help you identify the root cause of your discomfort and provide you with the right treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms.
Tips to Relieve Pain at Our Roanoke Podiatry Office
To prevent and alleviate plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis pain, it is crucial to wear proper and correctly sized footwear that provides support to the arches and heel. Arched shoes can help distribute the weight of the body evenly and take the tension off the plantar fascia ligament. This reduces the likelihood of inflammation and pain in the heel and foot.
If wearing shoes or sandals with an arch has little effect, you either have a more significant form of plantar fasciitis or you could have something similar to scar tissue.
Take every measure you can to get your heel back to 100% pain-free, and then you can periodically go barefoot again.
We specialize in eliminating plantar fasciitis and plantar fasciosis and are here to help you diagnose your issue and help you feel comfortable on your feet again. Contact us today to book an appointment.
