Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot called the plantar fascia, which supports the arch of your foot and absorbs impact with every step you take.
Treating plantar fasciitis involves determining the root cause, which is often simply the wrong footwear. Choosing the right footwear therefore cannot be overstated if you have experienced the foot pain of plantar fasciitis.
The next time you visit a shoe store, ask the shoe professional for help in finding shoes that provide proper support for your arches and offer optimum cushioning to help alleviate your plantar fasciitis. Let’s talk about some of the important considerations when choosing the right footwear.
Firm Insoles for Arch Support
The type of insoles is important – they should support the curve of your arches and reduce pressure on the plantar fascia. Too-soft insoles do not provide enough support and may thus hinder the healing of your inflamed plantar fascia.
Supportive Heel Cup
The heel cup should be deep enough to protect your heel bone while preventing overpronation, which is when the inner ankle rolls downward. It should likewise prevent supination, when the outer ankle rolls down and outward.
Proper Cushioning
A cushioned sole is very important in order to absorb shock every time your heel hits the ground. Choose insoles that are made of memory foam or other thick yet comfortable material that contours to your foot.
Replace Footwear Regularly
All shoes wear down over time, which means that their support and cushioning are no longer adequate. Because of this, be sure to replace your shoes and other footwear regularly, whenever you notice a gradual decline in comfort and support. If you have difficulty getting rid of “perfectly good” shoes, donate them to a worthy charity to make yourself feel good about it.
Use Custom Orthotics
Something that you cannot find in regular shoe stores are customized orthotics, which a podiatrist can readily provide. Custom orthotics are specially created for your own foot’s unique shaping, and they are designed to address the issues that may make you prone to plantar fasciitis.
Advances in the development of custom orthotic shoe inserts make it possible to use them in different types of footwear – and they are built to last longer than ever before. Special customized orthotic shoes are also available. Orthotics are one of the best ways to prevent plantar fasciitis from returning.
Podiatrist in San Antonio, TX
For professional medical treatment of plantar fasciitis and foot pain of all kinds, see our board-certified foot and ankle doctors here at The Podiatry Group of South Texas. We regularly treat patients who have plantar fasciitis, and we can help you prevent a recurrence of the condition using an individualized and comprehensive plan. From therapies to relieve the pain to footwear recommendations and custom orthotics, we provide superior care for all types of foot problems.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at the location near you or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping relieve your heel pain and getting you back on your feet!
