The most common diseases that cause pain in the sole of the foot are plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs are often confused with each other. The structure called plantar fascia is the flat strip of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar fascia is simply a connective tissue structure that surrounds the muscles at the sole of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic complaints.
Plantar fascia is frequently subjected to wear and tear in daily life. It is exposed to strong> and wear. Plantar fascia, which functions as a shock absorber due to its structure, also supports the arch of the foot. The connective tissue strip surrounding the sole of the foot may be torn or damaged due to the foot being exposed to excessive pressure. Consequently, the inflammation occurring in the plantar fascia causes heel pain and heel stiffness.
Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors
- Involvement in sports that put load on the feet for a long time
- Obesity
- Using unsuitable shoes or slippers
- Running on hard ground for a long time
- Walking or running barefoot
- Foot deformities (such as flat feet, too high arch of the foot)
- Foot turning inwards
- Short Achilles tendon and being tense
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
It usually causes pain when getting out of bed or sitting in the morning. Once you start walking, the pain gradually decreases. The pain becomes more severe, especially when climbing stairs or standing for a long time. Stiffness is also felt in the heel. Plantar fasciitis, which causes sharp pain, can also cause burning and aching that extends from the bottom of the foot to the heel. Pain usually does not make itself felt during activity. However, the person begins to feel pain immediately after stopping to rest.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
In the treatment of plantar fasciitis, conservative treatment methods are preferred first. During preventive treatment, it is recommended that the patient avoid walking barefoot and not engage in activities with high heels and ballerina shoes for long periods of time. People with foot deformities They are encouraged to use insoles suitable for the temperature. Foot stretching exercises reduce the severity of pain. If there is no reduction in complaints, treatment is provided with medication, cold application, physical therapy methods and interventional needle applications (such as prolotherapy, neural therapy, ozone therapy).
Heel Spur
It develops as a result of the plantar fascia, which is a strip connecting the heel bone and the toes, losing its flexibility and inflammation of the place where it attaches to the heel bone. It is the formation of a thorn-shaped bone protrusion in this area. The most typical symptom is pain that develops when walking in the morning. Heel spurs, which feel like there are stones or nails on the sole of the foot, can be healed with early diagnosis and treatment.
Heel spur risk factors
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Being a woman
- Being between the ages of 40-60
- Wearing flat shoes that do not fit well, have poor arch support, have hard soles, heels and ballerina style
- Tightness in the calf muscles and Achilles tendon
- Excessive pronation (turning in) while standing
- Doing activities such as long-distance running, dancing, ballet, aerobics
- Having flat feet and high arches
- Spending most of the working hours standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time
- Diabetes
- Various rheumatic diseases
How to recognize heel spurs?
It is diagnosed by seeing a protrusion in the heel bone on x-ray. It makes itself felt with pain under and around the heel. As the pointed heel spur grows, it begins to destroy the soft, fatty tissue of the heel.
Heel spur treatment
Initially, the following treatments are applied:
Resting the foot
Orthopedic shoes
Painkillers
Ice application
Physical therapy applications
Night splint
It is recommended that you use heel pads and arch supports (orthotics) in your shoes to help apply even pressure to your feet.
Cortisone injections: Cortisone, a type of steroid, is a powerful It is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is injected into the plantar fascia to reduce inflammation and pain.
Prolotherapy injection:Initiation of the natural wound healing process as a result of stimulation of the damaged tissue with the help of needle and irritant solution (5-10%) dextrose. By creating germ-free inflammation, proliferation and regeneration of damaged tissue is achieved. Solid collagen tissue is created.
Suggestions for those with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs
- If you are overweight, try to lose weight in a balanced way in a healthy way.
- Avoid walking or standing for long periods of time.
- Do not walk barefoot, especially on hard surfaces.
- Rest your feet as much as possible.
- Do not stand too much. Be careful about activities such as standing and walking too much.
- Change your sport; Instead of walking or running, try a sport such as swimming or cycling.
- Use soft-soled slippers at home.
- Prefer sports shoes instead of hard-soled shoes. Choose shoes with support, try silicone heel pads.
Read: 0
