Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is most often caused by…

• Overuse or a sudden rapid increase in physical activity. Plantar fasciitis is common in long-distance runners. Running, walking or stair climbing also can place too much stress on the heel area. Other types of sudden exertion such as lifting heavy weights can trigger the pain.
   
• Faulty biomechanics. Overpronation (flat-footedness), a high arch or having an abnormal gait pattern can adversely affect the way weight is distributed when you're on your feet, putting abnormal amounts of stress on the plantar fascia.
   
• Being overweight, especially if weight gain takes place rapidly.
   
• Poorly designed shoes. Shoes that are thin-soled, too loose, too stiff, or that lack arch support and impact absorption don't protect the feet well. If you regularly wear shoes with high heels, the Achilles tendon can contract and shorten, causing strain on the plantar fascia.
   
• Arthritis. Some types of arthritis can cause inflammation in the tendons in the bottom of the foot, which can lead to plantar fasciitis.
   
• Diabetes. The exact relationship is unknown; but plantar fasciitis occurs more often in people with diabetes than in non-diabetic people.
   
• Being on the feet for extended periods. People in occupations that require a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, including factory workers, teachers and waitresses, often develop plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is typically treated with the least invasive techniques being tried first. The first remedy is to cut back on intensity and duration of physical activity and time spent on one’s feet. Elevating the heel slightly with inserts is a typical first approach, and may be incorporated with other non-invasive techniques such as icing and stretching. Ant-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed, as are a variety of therapy techniques that involve maintaining the foot in a dorsiflexed position at night during sleep and the use of corrective orthotics. In plantar fasciitis the most critical necessity is proper arch support; and most foot specialists recommend that patients not go barefooted.

• The Integrated Fitting Solution (consisting of Thorlos engineered padded socks, an insert or orthotic as necessary, and properly designed and fitted shoes or boots) is the most cost effective, proven method to-date that provides proactive protection against pressure, shear and impact forces.  This provides the protection you need to help prevent plantar fasciitis. In situations where plantar fasciitis is already present, it also helps diminish pain by protecting the heel from shock and impact.
  • The Thorlos engineered padded sock component of the Integrated Fitting Solution provides anatomically designed terry padding that cushions impacts and protects vulnerable areas from pressure and bumps. It helps ensure heel coupling and proper interface with the arch area to provide correct postural alignment that promotes proper biomechanics.  Thorlos are made with  proprietary THORLON® acrylic yarn and yarn blends that are designed to cushion and protect the feet, and are the only sock product clinically proven to provide proactive protection against pressure and shear forces, and to provide pain reduction. Click here to visit the Institute for Preventive Foot Health web site and read more about the peer reviewed published medical research conducted with Thorlos engineered padded socks.
     
  • Inserts that provide arch support and a slight heel lift help ensure that not too much stress is placed on the plantar fascia to reduce the possibility of inflammation and overstretching. In cases of overpronation (read more), inserts help support and keep the feet from turning in excessively. They also help support the arch area and promote proper biomechanics.
     
  • Properly designed and fitted shoes or boots provide sufficient cushioning and flexibility in the soles, helping to diminish the possibility of the irritation and inflammation that can lead to plantar fasciitis.
     
• If you are an overpronator, have your gait analyzed by a foot care professional and get the right orthotics as a component of an integrated solution to help address the overpronation.
   
• If you feel a burning sensation in the heel area that signifies the possible onset of plantar fasciitis, see a foot care physician before the pain becomes too bad.

• While plantar fasciitis is often a painful and even debilitating condition, it typically is curable and will not do any long term damage; however, the pain from plantar fasciitis can lead to an inability to perform certain work, and can limit participation in physical activities and sports.
   
• Recovery from plantar fasciitis may take up to 6 to 9 months; and in some cases, anti-inflammatory injections or surgery are the only successful treatments.
   
• A relatively recent and potentially successful treatment method for particularly difficult cases is extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).  Read more here: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm078648.htm.

Remember, ALWAYS consult your physician if you have soreness, pain, redness, swelling or other indications of problems in any area of your feet that persist for more than a few days, particularly if you have invested in a properly fitted Thorlos Integrated Fitting Solution.  If your feet do not feel better, Thorlos offers a money back guarantee on all engineered padded sock products (the guarantee does not cover shoes and inserts).