Many people suffer from foot pain from time to time in the summer. In particular, there are unfortunate cases where it is difficult to even walk due to severe plantar pain. Above all, the number of patients suffering from plantar fasciitis due to repeated plantar fasciitis caused by wearing slippers in summer is increasing.
Feet are hard parts of the body that have to support a heavy body all day long. In addition, it is responsible for absorbing the shock of the ground and imparting mobility. Therefore, it is necessary to keep in mind the possibility of developing foot disease anytime, anywhere. In fact, there are many cases of suffering from ankle pain or plantar pain in daily life.
If you frequently wear slippers on uneven surfaces such as valleys, the pain in the soles of the feet may be noticeable. This is because the impact of walking is concentrated on the plantar fascia due to the characteristics of thin slippers. In particular, if there is a structurally lower-than-normal arch of the sole of the foot, ‘flat foot’, and a deformity of the foot with a higher-than-normal arch, the possibility of plantar fasciitis is high.
On the sole of the foot, there are five thick, strong bands of fibers in the shape of a fan, which are called plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a tissue that maintains the arch of the plantar and contributes to cushioning the impact. It also works like a spring to distribute the load on the sole of the foot when walking or running.
If the plantar fascia becomes inflamed with repeated impact, it becomes difficult to walk normally with severe plantar pain. A typical example is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the muscle membrane.
When plantar fasciitis develops, the pain in the sole of the foot is so severe that it is impossible to walk properly. You may also experience stiffness in the soles of your feet. If these symptoms of plantar fasciitis are left unattended, the treatment process may become more difficult and complicated. Moreover, if plantar fascia damage is accelerated, it can become chronic, so be careful. If the foot pain persists, it is desirable to visit an orthopedic surgeon for detailed examination and customized treatment.
If you cannot be sure of plantar fasciitis from plantar fasciitis alone, try a simple self-diagnosis. Plantar fasciitis is more likely if you experience pain in the sole of your foot when you bend your toe toward the top of your foot or lift your heel. After a precise diagnosis of plantar fasciitis through radiographs and ultrasonography, it can be improved with treatments such as physical therapy, stretching, injection therapy, wearing braces, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, depending on the individual patient’s condition. Surgery may be considered depending on the individual patient’s condition.
What is important is each patient’s lifestyle efforts to prevent recurrence. It is better to avoid wearing slippers on uneven surfaces such as valleys. It is also wise to avoid wearing shoes that are too small or high heels. It is also a good way to practice foot bathing, massage, and stretching for a certain period of time on a regular basis.
Ilsan Orthopedic Surgery Danhan Hospital Director Park Chang-gyu
