The condition is a leading cause of foot pain
It’s not uncommon to hear people close to us complain of foot pain when they wake up, get up, or walk. We often think it might be something common and don’t pay due attention to the complaint. However, as with everything in our body, we must be very attentive to the signs, to facilitate diagnosis as early as possible. The symptoms mentioned above, for example, may indicate that the person suffers from plantar fasciitis. The condition is a major foot pain complaint. It is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a fibrous and inelastic tissue that covers the entire musculature of the sole of the foot, from the heel to the toes. “It is estimated that between 3.6% and 7% of the population suffers from plantar fasciitis, which affects men and women equally. And it is something that usually appears around the age of 40-60,” explains the orthopedist, foot and ankle specialist, dr. Bruno Lee. Among the main causes of its appearance are:
- Obesity (BMI above 30)
- Pes cavus, flat or with abnormal gait
- After systemic inflammatory diseases
- Wearing heels for long periods of time
- Standing for a long time during the day
- Physical activities that put extra strain on the feet (walking, running, ballet, jumping)
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel, like a twinge. This is usually severe upon awakening, improves when walking, and worsens when there is prolonged rest. “When you feel this kind of discomfort, you need to go to the doctor to have it identified. Most of the time, the diagnosis of fasciitis is clinical and other tests, such as X-rays, MRIs and bone scans, may be requested for the differential diagnosis , i.e. to rule out other possibilities for the symptoms,” says the doctor. At diagnosis, treatment may include rest with an ice pack, physiotherapy, use of special insoles, anti-inflammatory medications to control pain, wearing splints at night, and weight loss is recommended if the problem was caused by obesity. . “Surgery is also a treatment option. However, more than 80% of cases do not need the procedure, being resolved with less invasive measures,” says Dr. Lee. According to the doctor, however, plantar fasciitis is a condition that can be prevented, with some simple precautions. These include controlling your weight, stretching your lower body muscles, strengthening your muscles, having proper guidance when engaging in physical activities, and paying attention to choosing the best footwear. *Dr. Bruno Lee graduated from USP Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo, and specialized in the care of patients with foot and ankle pathologies. Having practiced numerous sports during his life, the doctor integrates his technical knowledge with sports knowledge, combining anatomical, pathological and functional knowledge to obtain the best result in the treatment. In recent years he has constantly tried to improve minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of foot pathologies.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
