What is plantar fasciitis: symptoms and treatment of the pathological process of the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms and treatment of plantar fasciitis How to treat heel fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. The disease manifests itself as pain and inflammation in the area of ​​the plantar fascia, which connects the toes to the heel bone. The disease is dangerous because, in the absence of adequate treatment, a bone growth can form in the heel area, which is commonly called a heel spur. This pathology is very serious, in some cases it has to be treated surgically. Another common complication of plantar fasciitis of the foot is Achilles tendinitis.

Causes and risk factors

With a heavy load on the foot, microtraumas can form in the fascia. Most often, they heal on their own if a person alternates exercise and rest evenly. However, frequent micro-tears and stretching of the fascia lead to its inflammation. The main risk factors that can lead to a disease such as plantar fasciitis are:

• Age and gender. Heel fasciitis most often occurs in men over 40 years of age; women get sick a little less often.
• Excessive exercise or dancing, during which increased stress occurs on the heel bones and tissues adjacent to them.
• Changes in foot biomechanics. If a person suffers from flat feet, unevenly distributed weight causes overload of the fascia.
• Excess weight, which additionally loads the foot and deforms the arches.
• Professions that require long periods of standing. Factory workers, construction workers, teachers, couriers, postmen and other people who, due to the nature of their work, have to walk or stand a lot, are predisposed to developing plantar fasciitis.
• Diseases of the spine, for example, scoliosis, which leads to the body's center of gravity shifting. At the same time, the load on the legs increases, which can cause foot pathology.

Main symptoms

Plantar fasciitis has such severe symptoms that in most cases only if they are present can the disease be diagnosed. The most common manifestation of the disease is pain in the heel area. They usually appear while walking after sitting for a long time. In addition, the pain is quite noticeable in the morning, when the patient gets to his feet after sleep.

When walking for a long time throughout the day, after standing for a long time and climbing stairs, the pain intensifies significantly, and in the evening it is quite disturbing. When a heel spur occurs, the pain becomes so sharp that it can be compared to the sensations that a person feels when sharply pricked with sharp objects. Often with plantar fasciitis, hyperthermia and edema may appear.

In this case, especially if the disease affects both legs at once, it is necessary to do an examination to identify a concomitant cause (for example, rheumatoid arthritis or gout). Other characteristic symptoms that accompany plantar fasciitis are tingling in the legs while walking, back pain, and in some cases, swelling that occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in the ankle joint and heel area.

Treatment methods

Plantar fasciitis, except in particularly difficult cases, is treated conservatively. Complex therapy is used, the main task of which is to eliminate the increased load on the feet. It is very important to replace tight and uncomfortable shoes with comfortable ones. If heel pain occurs, it is necessary to limit walking and give your feet a rest. If you have flat feet or, you should purchase orthopedic insoles and special heel pads with recesses in the center.

Also, when treating fasciitis of the sole, it is advisable to wear orthopedic shoes that firmly fix the heel and prevent the sole from falling inward. You can purchase orthoses that are shaped like a boot. They are worn before bed because they hold the foot well at a special angle that stretches the plantar fascia, which helps it heal during the night. The formation of bands and shortening of the fascia is eliminated with the help of massage procedures and special exercises.

Also, when treating plantar fasciitis, it is very important to normalize weight, inflammation, eliminate diseases of the spine and joints, as well as all kinds of disorders in the circulatory system. Treatment of plantar fasciitis is successful using physiotherapy, which consists of warming procedures, laser therapy, and the use of ultrasound. In cases of severe inflammation and significant pain, fasciitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs that contain corticosteroids, for example, Diprospan or Flosteron.

For local treatment, the attending physician may recommend the use of “Golden Us” or “Dolobene” ointment or “Fasciitis stop” cream. In particularly severe cases that cannot be cured using conservative methods, surgical intervention is used, which consists of removing the bone growth and irreparably modified tissues.

Popular folk treatments

There are a huge number of folk remedies and methods that eliminate symptoms and treat this foot pathology quite effectively. However, before using any of them, you should definitely consult with your doctor, who will tell you which one can be used in a particular case.

Plantar fasciitis is treated using concentrated salt baths. To prepare them, you need to dilute salt (2 full tablespoons) in hot water (1 l). The procedure time is 30-40 minutes. After finishing it, you need to wipe your feet dry and put on woolen socks.

A good way to treat fasciitis is to use birch buds. An alcohol tincture is prepared from them, which, in addition to the birch buds themselves (50 g), contains medical alcohol (100 g). The product must be infused for at least 3 hours. It is used to make compresses: a bandage soaked in it is applied to the sore heel twice a day (2 hours in the afternoon and evening).

You can try to cure the disease with a bath containing equal amounts of vinegar (9%), vodka and turpentine. All ingredients must be mixed and heated in a water bath. The sore heel should be kept in a container with this solution until it cools completely. Then you need to heat it up again and do the procedure again.

Potatoes will help get rid of the signs of plantar fasciitis. It needs to be cut into small slices and applied to the sore heels, securely secured with a bandage and wearing a woolen sock on top. This compress is usually done at night. If, after removing the bandage in the morning, it is discovered that the plates have turned black, this means that the potato is fighting the disease. Gradually, the pain will begin to subside, and the potato slices will begin to lighten. When treating plantar fasciitis with traditional methods, it will take a lot of time and patience. However, persistence helped many overcome the disease.

Disease prevention

In order not to fall into the risk zone of plantar fasciitis, it is very important to monitor your weight, because extra pounds are an additional load on the fascia. The choice of shoes must be approached carefully: women should not often wear shoes or boots with too high heels; when choosing a purchase, they should pay attention to shock absorption and supination. Do not get carried away with walking barefoot on a hard surface. Since heavily worn shoes can cause foot pathology, they should be disposed of without regret.

If you feel pain or burning in your legs after an active day at work, you can use a cold compress to relieve such sensations. A bag filled with ice should be applied to the sore spot for 15-20 minutes. Some massage with ice, using a paper cup previously frozen with water. Massage movements are performed in the area where discomfort is felt for 3-5 minutes. Doing them regularly will help reduce inflammation and significantly reduce pain. To strengthen the calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and stretch the fascia, it is recommended to perform a set of special exercises.

Plantar fasciitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the largest ligament on the sole. It is mistakenly called a heel spur. The disease develops suddenly or against the background of other pathologies. If diagnosed early, it can be easily treated without surgery.

Development mechanism

The frame of the foot is securely fixed by ligaments. The most powerful of them is located along the sole and is called fascia. It starts from the heel bone and attaches to the digital phalanges. This bundle can support twice the weight of a person. But with prolonged tension or excessive loads, it becomes stretched or injured. In this case, plantar fasciitis develops.

Causes

The disease is preceded by the negative impact of external and internal factors. More often, fasciitis of the foot is caused by pathologies of the bones and joints. Among also:

• and varus curvature of the feet;
• congenital weakness of the ligamentous apparatus;
• osteoporosis;
• arthrosis;
• injuries;
• obesity;
• vascular diseases;
• diabetes.

Other causes of inflammation are associated with wearing uncomfortable shoes, heavy physical labor and playing sports.

On a note!

The presence of bad habits and incorrect habits have a negative impact on the ligaments. In older adults, heel fasciitis develops due to physiological changes.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can appear suddenly. When you try to put your foot on the floor, pain occurs in the heel area, radiating to the muscles of the leg and thigh. Patients compare it to being pricked by a sharp object. After kneading the ligaments and doing a set of exercises, the pain goes away for a while. But then it occurs at the slightest load on the foot.

Sometimes the disease takes a chronic form. In this case, it lasts for years, and you can only get rid of it through surgery.

Types and signs

Symptoms and treatment of plantar fasciitis directly depend on the type of pathology and form. The disease is divided into several types depending on the location of the source of inflammation:

• Proximal. Inflammation of the ligaments of the sole with pain in the heel area.
• Distal. The middle part of the plantar fascia is affected. The foot cannot be bent. The pain is felt along its entire length, especially in the area of ​​the fingers.
• Front. One of the most painful types. The entire ligament from the toes to the heel bone is strained. Pain is felt in all parts of the foot. Redness of the sole and swelling are often present.
• Nodal. Characterized by the development of compactions in the foot area. If you look at a photo of plantar fasciitis of this shape, you can see rounded protrusions in the middle part of the arch of the foot. To get rid of nodes, you often have to resort to surgery.
• Bilateral. Fasciitis develops in both legs. With a bilateral flow, not only the soles, but also the back hurt.

Diagnostics

Plantar fasciitis belongs to the group of plantar fascial fibromatoses, ICD 10 code – M72.2. Only an orthopedist can identify such a pathology.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor collects a detailed history and studies. He finds out the presence of risk factors and concomitant pathologies. Then an external examination and palpation is carried out.

The diagnosis is made after an X-ray examination. Additionally, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan to exclude plantar nodule and bone deformities.

Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. follows at the slightest sign of plantar inflammation.

Difference from heel spur

With inflammation of the fascia there is no deformation of bone tissue. The disease is accompanied by severe pain. But if you look at the foot from behind, the heel is of a normal shape. If the pathology is not complicated, it is difficult to see changes in the pictures. Treatment of plantar fasciitis is often limited to conservative therapy.

A plantar spur is characterized by the presence of a bony bump near the Achilles tendon. It is clearly visible on x-ray. The disease does not cause severe discomfort and only causes mechanical inconvenience. Spurs are mainly treated.

Plantar fasciitis is often the cause of heel spurs.

Therapy

Treating fasciitis is a long and difficult process. To relieve inflammation and improve the elasticity of ligaments, use:

• physical therapy;
• massage;
• medicines;
• physiotherapy;
• folk recipes.

But sometimes the treatment does not have a quick effect, and the pain syndrome causes severe suffering to the patient. In such cases, the affected ligament is examined. Chronic forms are an indication for surgical intervention.

Before treating plantar fasciitis, you should visit a doctor. Many orthopedic foot diseases have a similar clinical picture.

Pharmacy drugs

• Diclofenac;
• Voltaren;
• Ibuprofen;
• Nise;
• Shark oil ointment;
• Bystrumgel.

On a note!

Plantar inflammation is often treated with hormones (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone). This therapy is used in short courses and according to strict indications.

Massage

Sometimes only this procedure helps reduce morning pain. You can do the massage yourself. For this purpose, elements of stroking, rubbing and kneading are used. You need to massage until your feet feel warm. You should start by treating the shins. Then grab the feet with the toes and the sole separately.

On a note!

The procedure improves blood circulation, normalizes the tone of the ligaments and reduces swelling.

Physiotherapy

To quickly cure plantar fasciitis, you need to carry out complex therapy with the following. Physical education helps strengthen the ligaments in the arch of the foot. For treatment, you can develop your own complexes or use medical and proprietary techniques.

Exercise therapy according to Bubnovsky

Sergey Bubnovsky has developed a set of effective exercises. They are performed on the stairs or while sitting on the floor. A towel or bandage is also used to train the plantar ligaments. The exercises involve alternating tension and relaxation of the arch. Do them until you feel a burning sensation in your feet, then lower your feet into cold water.

On a note!

Additionally, Bubnovsky advises walking barefoot more often and drinking more water.

Physiotherapy

For inflammation of the fascia on the leg, the following are effective:

• magnetic therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• ultrasound;
• ozokerite;
• mud therapy.

If heel fasciitis is already in chronic form, balneotherapy will be useful.

Blockade

If treatment is ineffective and to quickly relieve pain, a direct method of exposure is used. Under X-ray control, the doctor injects the medicine into the plantar fascia with a syringe. Painkillers and hormonal agents are used for blockade.

Operation

Used in rare cases. Surgically, under local anesthesia, the tension in the ligaments of the sole is relieved by the method of partial cutting off from the heel bone. After the intervention, wearing it is recommended.

Before treating pathology with a radical method, you need to try conservative therapy methods.

Traditional methods

It must be carried out simultaneously with the main therapy. To relieve symptoms, baths with medicinal herbs and ointments with natural ingredients are used.

Lotions and compresses help a lot. To perform them, the fabric is impregnated with an anti-inflammatory mixture and applied to the feet. Treatment of plantar fasciitis at home can only be done after consulting a doctor.

A bottle of frozen water helps urgently. It needs to be rolled on the floor with your foot for 5 minutes.

Prevention

To prevent plantar fasciitis, you need to promptly treat chronic pathologies and eliminate risk factors. The disease can be avoided if:

• swimming and skiing;
• Healthy food;
• wear comfortable shoes;
• maintain normal weight;
• monitor the condition of your feet.

An important stage of prevention is giving up bad habits. If you are predisposed to the disease, you should avoid standing work and strenuous sports.

Not everyone knows, but ignoring even minor pain in the foot is very dangerous. You should start worrying already when you feel discomfort when getting out of bed in the morning.

You can independently suspect the development of this disease if you notice morning pain on the soles of your feet in the heel area. Usually the unpleasant sensations subside, and often disappear completely by the end of the day. But they can resume after a long rest of the legs. Do not underestimate a disease such as plantar fasciitis. Symptoms, the treatment of which it is advisable to begin immediately, become more noticeable every day. As a result, getting up in the morning becomes a real torture, and the pain does not subside throughout the day.

At the first problem, it is advisable to go to the doctor. The surgeon will examine the affected leg and order an x-ray to identify heel spurs and rule out other possible problems. He will also listen to all your complaints and clarify when exactly the pain occurs. Based on the description you provide, visual examination and x-ray data, the final diagnosis will be established.

Causes of the disease

In most cases, plantar fasciitis develops for a reason. People with flat feet, high arches, and excess weight are most susceptible to this disease. Also, problems with the fascia can begin due to sudden intense stress, regular wearing of high heels and other shoes that are uncomfortable for the feet.

Fasciitis of the sole occurs due to the fact that when walking and other loads on the foot there is an incorrect distribution of weight. Normally, a person should rest on the outer edge of the foot and then move to its inner side. But with excess weight, flat feet and other related reasons, this mechanism is disrupted. The result is overstretching of the fascia, followed by micro-tears. They are the ones that cause pain.

Development of the inflammatory process

Due to excessive stress on the plantar fascia, which connects the heel bone to the forefoot and supports its longitudinal arch, all the problems arise. Most often, the ligaments are injured at the place where they are attached to the heel. As a result, micro-tears appear that can heal on their own. But constant injury to these areas leads to inflammation in their place, accompanied by pain. In most cases, plantar fasciitis is also accompanied by an overgrowth of the heel bones. The x-ray shows a spur-shaped growth.

It is worth noting that women most often suffer from the disease, and mainly people over 40 years of age are susceptible to it. The risk group includes all patients with excess weight, problems with the spine, joint diseases, injuries of the heel bones, gout, circulatory disorders, flat feet and other similar problems.

Disease prevention

It is advisable for every person to know how to avoid a disease such as plantar fasciitis. Treatment of the initial stages of the disease and preventive methods are very similar. Thus, the development of the inflammatory process can be prevented with the help of simple gymnastics and stretching exercises. But no less attention should be paid to the choice of shoes and insoles. It is advisable to use orthopedic options that provide good support for the foot.

Don’t forget about exercises to evenly stretch the plantar fascia. Every day it is advisable to roll your feet over any interior threshold with pressure. A regular bottle is also suitable for these purposes. Another exercise that can prevent plantar fasciitis is stretching. To do this, pull your feet towards you every day for 10 seconds, repeat this 20 times for each leg. Stretching the calf muscle is also an effective method.

Treatment of the initial stages of fasciitis

If you neglected preventive methods and did not consult a doctor when the first symptoms appeared, then you will most likely need medication methods. Of course, your doctor will initially recommend using simple methods that help most patients with plantar fasciitis. Symptoms for which treatment will be effective should not yet be too pronounced. That is, the patient may have problems with the feet when getting out of bed in the morning. But during the day the sensations subside and disappear completely in the evening. In this case, you can use cold: for this you can roll a plastic bottle with ice or just well-chilled water with your feet for 10 minutes several times a day. This method can relieve swelling and reduce inflammation.

Also, doctors in most cases recommend reducing the load on the legs, for example, giving up long walking and running. At night, the doctor may recommend wearing special boots that prevent the fascia from contracting during rest. In a hospital setting, various physiotherapeutic procedures can be carried out, which also give a noticeable effect; inflammation decreases after just a few sessions.

Drug treatment

If simple methods do not give the desired result and plantar fasciitis does not go away, then surgeons may recommend other ways to get rid of the problems. Your doctor may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This group includes products that contain ibuprofen, naproxen, or regular aspirin. These may be drugs such as Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Diclofenac, Indomethacin.

In more advanced cases, corticosteroid injections may be prescribed. These are special hormonal drugs with a pronounced anti-inflammatory mechanism of action. Only a doctor can do them, since the slightest mistake when administering these drugs can cause damage to the fascia. And this will provoke flat feet and chronic pain.

Plantar fasciitis refers to an inflammatory process affecting the plantar fascia. This formation is a dense tissue bundle that provides smooth shock absorption to the foot when walking. Plantar fasciitis in the foot area causes a person a lot of problems and discomfort, accompanied by pain and gait disturbance.

The human foot experiences constant dynamic and static load. That is why it is so important to diagnose and treat this disease in a timely manner.

Causes

In most cases, the cause of this pathology is trauma to the plantar fascia. Other causes of the disease include:

• Staying in the same position for a long time. People whose work activity involves prolonged sitting or standing on their feet are at risk. Also, professional athletes (weightlifters, track and field athletes, bodybuilders) are susceptible to plantar fasciitis.
• Having flat feet. The flat arch of the foot receives uneven load, resulting in damage to the fascia of the foot.
• Wearing shoes without arch support. This type of footwear includes sports sneakers, flip-flops and flip-flops.
• Excess body weight. If a person has excessive body weight, the load on his feet increases several times.
• Presence of sports activities. Intense training has a damaging effect on the foot apparatus. Plantar fasciitis is a common pathology among people who play sports professionally.
• Congenital weakness of the ligamentous apparatus of the foot.
• Age-related degenerative-dystrophic changes in the soft tissues of the foot.
• Disruption of metabolic processes and blood circulation in the sole area. This condition affects people suffering from diabetes, gout and atherosclerosis.

How fasciitis of the foot occurs, its symptoms and its treatment will be discussed in detail below.

Symptoms

A characteristic symptom of this disease is pain, which tends to intensify with load on the foot. The pain is most often localized on the plantar side of the heel, as well as along the back surface of the heel bone.

Pain syndrome with fasciitis makes itself felt in the morning. The intensity of the pain often forces a person to stop moving and put his feet on a hill. The inflammatory process with fasciitis affects both feet, but can also be unilateral.

The main symptoms of this disease include:

• discomfort and pain in the heel area;
• limited movement;
• burning sensation in the heel area;
• deformation of the foot due to thickening of the plantar fascia;
• forced flexion of the toes (characteristic sign);
• the formation of a compaction center on the plantar side of the heel.

A potential complication of fasciitis is heel spurs, which develop as a result of increased pressure on the foot. If a person discovers signs of a heel spur, then in 85% of cases we are talking about the formation of an inflammatory process in the plantar fascia.

Diagnostics

The primary link in diagnosing this disease is the collection and analysis of complaints that a person makes. In this case, the doctor takes into account the nature of the pain, its duration, location, and the presence of other symptoms of the disease. Also, it is important for the medical specialist to obtain information regarding the patient’s lifestyle and work activity.

After this, the doctor will conduct a visual examination and palpation of the feet. An important point is the presence of flat feet or other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. The following studies are used as additional diagnostic methods:

• X-ray examination;
• ultrasound diagnostics;
• magnetic resonance or computed tomography.

An X-ray examination may reveal a bone growth in the heel area (spur), as well as pockets of calcium deposits.

Treatment

Therapy for this disease includes medication, physiotherapeutic techniques and surgery. However, the latter method is a last resort and is used when conservative therapy is ineffective.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy for plantar fasciitis includes the following groups of medications:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are mandatory to take, since the basis of the pathological process in this disease is the inflammatory process.
• Painkillers (analgesics) drugs. If a person experiences severe pain during physical activity or at rest, he is prescribed painkillers.
• Ointments and creams for topical use containing an anti-inflammatory component.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Methods of hardware physiotherapy are widely used as part of the complex treatment of this disease. The following methods are highly effective:

• Shock wave technique. This type of hardware physiotherapy involves the impact of high-frequency acoustic waves on the soft tissues of the foot area. As a result of this effect, local blood circulation improves, the intensity of the inflammatory process decreases, and pain and discomfort are eliminated.
• Magnetotherapy. The effect of the magnetic field has an anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory and restorative effect.
• Phonophoresis. This technique is complex and involves the simultaneous influence of physical and chemical factors. With phonophoresis, hydrocortisone ointment is administered using ultrasonic waves. This combination ensures deep penetration of the ointment components into the soft tissues of the heel area. Hydrocortisone ointment has an anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and analgesic effect.

Recommendations regarding each technique are given to each person individually. A pronounced therapeutic effect is achieved only with the simultaneous use of medications and physiotherapeutic procedures.

Surgery

If conservative therapy does not bring the expected result, the person is recommended to undergo surgery. Surgery for fasciitis is performed under local anesthesia. For this purpose, spinal anesthesia is used, which causes temporary loss of sensation in the lower extremities.

Modern technologies and the latest equipment allow medical specialists to perform short-term and high-precision operations. Endoscopy techniques are used for the surgical treatment of this disease. During the operation, the doctor carefully crosses the plantar fascia and, using a special instrument, removes the bony outgrowth in the heel bone (spur).

The duration of the rehabilitation period after this intervention varies depending on the severity of the pathological process. Some people who undergo surgery for fasciitis may experience the following complications:

• traumatic damage to nerve trunks during surgery;
• increased pain syndrome;
• formation of a benign nerve tumor (neuroma);
• prolonged healing of the surgical wound or its suppuration.

If one of the complications develops, the person will need additional drug therapy and additional rehabilitation.

Prevention

It is much easier to prevent any disease than to deal with its consequences and complications. In order to prevent the occurrence of fasciitis, it is recommended to follow these tips:

• use comfortable orthopedic shoes that have arch support or good shock absorption or insoles.
• It is recommended to change sports shoes at least once every 2 seasons;
• fight excess body weight;
• do not jog on asphalt surfaces;
• train the flexibility of the ankle ligaments.

Treatment of fasciitis, especially if it has become chronic, becomes more and more difficult every year. Requires massive drug therapy in combination with physiotherapeutic procedures. If a person’s leg begins to hurt and discomfort in the foot area begins to bother him, he is recommended to immediately seek medical help and undergo a comprehensive examination.

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Plantar fasciitis develops when the dense connective tissue in the area of ​​attachment to the phalanges of the toes and heel bone is affected. The plantar aponeurosis forms and supports the longitudinal arch of the foot.

With frequent microtraumas of the connective tissue and high loads on the foot, aseptic inflammation occurs, the condition of the plantar aponeurosis worsens, and plantar fasciitis develops. Symptoms and treatment of pathology, preventive measures are described in the article.

Reasons for the development of pathology

The plantar fascia experiences high stress. The greatest pressure was recorded at the point of attachment to the heel tubercle.

Negative symptoms in the sole area more often occur in middle-aged and older people. After forty years, many have a “bouquet” of chronic diseases, problems with the joints and spine. Parts of a weakened musculoskeletal system are more vulnerable to negative factors.

Plantar fasciitis develops against the background of certain pathologies, signs and conditions:

• arthrosis and arthritis of the lower extremities;
• obesity;
• high arch of the foot;
• osteochondrosis;
• prolonged stress on the feet (a person spends most of the day standing);
• vascular pathologies (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis);
• flat feet;
• pronation (bend) of the foot is higher than normal.

Uncomfortable, tight shoes worn on the inside edge are another negative factor that provokes problems with the plantar fascia. People often do not suspect the negative impact of old shoes or worn-out shoes. Constant microtraumas in the area of ​​the plantar fascia under the influence of negative factors provoke degenerative and inflammatory processes. Marginal osteophytes or heel spurs often occur.

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Characteristic signs and symptoms

Plantar fasciitis has characteristic symptoms:

• it hurts to step on the heel and foot after a long stay in the “sitting” position;
• pain intensifies in the evening, after a high load on the lower limbs;
• often pain in the sole and heel area appears in the morning;
• the pain is annoying after going up and down stairs, when walking on a hard surface, or when you need to stand in one place for a long time.

If left untreated, additional symptoms occur:

• pain spreads to the ankles, big toe, arch of the foot;
• a dense cord of connective tissue in the area of ​​the plantar fascia provokes contracture of the fingers;
• the foot swells. On palpation, pain appears, dense formations are felt;
• The x-ray shows growths of bone tissue in the heel area - spurs, causing noticeable discomfort.

Important! Osteophytes often occur against the background of inflammation of the plantar fascia. It is easy to guess the appearance of hard formations by the appearance of sharp, excruciating pain inside the heel. The bony protrusion does not allow you to stand on your full foot and causes such acute pain that walking without support is out of the question. In advanced stages of heel spurs, patients can only move with crutches.

Methods and main directions of therapy

How to treat plantar fasciitis? The patient should seek help at the first signs of the disease. The diagnosis is made based on examination of the affected area, clarification of the clinical manifestations of the pathology, and X-ray photographs of the foot. Postponing a visit to an orthopedic traumatologist provokes the progression of degenerative and destructive processes in the foot area.

Complex therapy will help get rid of negative symptoms. It requires not only taking pills and applying ointments, but also eliminating excess stress on the lower limbs. It is important to review your diet and lose extra pounds: high body weight worsens the prognosis for many pathologies of the joints and spine.

Main goals of therapy:

• reducing the load on the plantar aponeurosis;
• stopping the inflammatory process.

Competent therapy improves prognosis: With the complex effect of early and moderate degrees of pathology, a complete cure is possible. In advanced cases, fasciitis is complicated by the proliferation of osteophytes and excruciating pain in the heel area. A heel spur fracture is a dangerous complication that increases the patient’s risk of disability.

Physiotherapy

Special exercises stretch the connective tissue of the lower part of the foot and increase the elasticity of the plantar aponeurosis. Regular gymnastics lengthens the plantar fascia, reduces the risk of mini-injuries, strengthens connective tissue, and prevents the development of fasciitis. Another positive point is that dosed load on the plantar aponeurosis reduces the pain of the problem area.

The optimal time for classes is morning. First, a warm-up is needed for the joints, after which the patient performs a set of exercises prescribed by the doctor.

It is important to follow the rules exactly and not add new exercises without the permission of an orthopedic traumatologist. There should be no severe pain during exercise: If pronounced discomfort appears, you need to reduce the load in time and reduce the number of repetitions.

Information for patients! At the end of the gymnastics, the foot is taped: a tape is applied - a patch or elastic bandage that supports the plantar aponeurosis, fixing the longitudinal arch. It is important to stretch the elastic material well as it wraps around the bottom of the leg.

Orthopedic devices

To fix the foot at a right angle, doctors prescribe the wearing of special devices - braces or orthoses. The patient wears them all night; during the day, orthopedic shoes or special insoles with a recess in the heel area are recommended.

Orthoses do not allow the plantar aponeurosis to shorten and maintain the elasticity of the connective tissue. The technique improves the prognosis in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

General treatment regimen

In addition to special gymnastics, wearing orthoses (braces) and orthopedic shoes, the patient receives other types of therapeutic effects. The selection of treatment methods is carried out by an orthopedist-traumatologist. Plantar fasciitis is treated by a physiotherapist and massage therapist.

If you have problems with weight, you need the help of a nutritionist to develop a menu with the optimal amount of calories and a complete set of vitamins and minerals. The patient should regularly consume foods that are beneficial for the health of bone tissue, muscles, cartilage and ligaments.

To eliminate negative symptoms in the plantar aponeurosis, complex treatment is carried out:

• foot massage;
• mud applications;
• baths with chamomile decoction, pine elixir, sea salt;
• applying cold;
• applying ointments and gels with a warming, anti-inflammatory effect to activate blood circulation in the affected area: Viprosal, Chondroxide;
• pain relief using analgesics of varying strengths - from Aspirin to Naproxen;
• treatment of the foot with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds for topical use: Fastum-gel, Voltaren-emulgel, Deep-Relief, Diclofenac, Cinepar-active.

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In advanced cases of plantar fasciitis and active inflammatory process, additional methods of influence are used:

• shock wave therapy for the gradual destruction of bone growths in the heel area;
• ultrasound and laser therapy;
• injections of potent drugs into the foot area (analgesics + glucocorticosteroids).

The lack of competent, timely therapy provokes the growth of osteophytes and increased pain. An unpleasant moment is a decrease in mobility due to the inability to move freely without the use of crutches. If the case is severe and conservative therapy is low, an operation is performed, during which the surgeon removes bone growths and affected areas of the fascia.

It is quite simple to protect the plantar aponeurosis from negative influences. Simple measures prevent frequent microtraumas of connective tissue.

The risk of developing plantar fasciitis will decrease several times if you adhere to the following rules:

• wear comfortable shoes. Choose sandals, shoes, boots with a good insole, the right last, made of high-quality material, with a reasonable heel height;
• follow the recommendations of an orthopedist-traumatologist, wear orthopedic shoes, and do not refuse special corrective insoles;
• dose the load on the foot, do not stand in one place for a long time. It is harmful to sit without getting up to warm up: physical activity is a prerequisite for the normal functioning of the body, good condition of the musculoskeletal system;
• monitor your diet and maintain normal weight. Doctors are unanimous in their opinion: extra pounds are the surest road to problems with the musculoskeletal system. Excessive load on the arch of the foot increases the risk of microtrauma and accelerates damage to the plantar aponeurosis;
• treat diseases of the joints and spine in a timely manner, and regularly undergo examinations by doctors who deal with problems of the joint-ligamentous system, cartilage and bone tissue. If negative changes are detected, do not delay the start of therapy, complete the full course of treatment. It is important to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system from becoming chronic and to be cured at an early stage.

Pain, swelling, discomfort in the heel area are reasons for a visit to an orthopedic traumatologist. A timely visit to a specialist will help to recognize plantar fasciitis at an early stage, before damage to the plantar aponeurosis and bone tissue growth have reached critical levels. With an integrated approach to treatment and patient discipline, the prognosis is favorable. In severe cases, surgery will help.

Watch the video in which Elena Malysheva gives more useful tips for treating plantar fasciitis:

Attention! Only today!

Plantar fasciitis is a slowly developing disease, and in the initial stages, attention is usually not paid to it. If any unpleasant sensations arise, it seems that your legs are simply tired, and everything will go away as soon as they rest. However, over time, the pain only gets worse, especially after rest.

Heel fasciitis is more common in women, older adults, and athletes. According to the international classification of diseases, the disease is given the name plantar fascial fibromatosis. Popularly, plantar fasciitis is called a “heel spur”; the scientific name is plantar fasciitis. At its core, this is an inflammatory process in the heel bone. As the disease progresses, tissue compaction occurs, and a bony protrusion appears at the site of salt deposition.

Fasciitis of the foot causes a person’s gait to change, and permanent lameness may develop, and it is also very unpleasant, at first the pain is present only when walking, and then at rest too.

Causes of the disease

Elderly people often encounter a disease such as plantar fasciitis, the reasons for which lie in severe and regular overload of the ligamentous apparatus. That is why professional ballerinas and athletes often suffer from this pathology.

The disease has an inflammatory onset, but after some time the disease progresses, and as a result, degenerative processes begin to develop. This can be caused by:

• excess weight, as obese people place increased stress on their feet;
• the presence of osteochondrosis in the lumbar spine;
• wearing tight shoes and high heels;
• inflammatory processes in the joints;
• flat feet;
• poor blood supply to the lower extremities.

In order to cure this disease, it is necessary to find out for what reason it developed, since fasciitis is only a consequence, if you try to treat it, you may not achieve the result.

It is necessary to eliminate the root cause of the pathology, and after that you can begin to treat heel fasciitis using conservative methods.

Clinical picture

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis cannot be ignored or confused. The clinic is quite bright:

• pain in the heels or entire feet;
• burning sensation when placing weight on the heel;
• swelling of the ankle and ankle joint;
• pain in the Achilles tendon area.

To confirm the diagnosis, you need to do an ultrasound (the photo shows what it looks like), but you can begin to suspect plantar fasciitis on your own. Severe sharp pain in the morning is the main symptom of the disease.

During the day the pain becomes less intense, but gets worse towards night. It may intensify after prolonged sitting and sudden rise. Also a striking symptom is flabbiness of the arch of the foot. Since the symptoms of plantar fasciitis are more than typical, there are usually no difficulties with diagnosis.

Therapy for fasciitis

When the cause of the disease has been identified and, if possible, eliminated, treatment can begin. It is primarily aimed at reducing pain.

For plantar fasciitis, treatment is prescribed by an orthopedic traumatologist or surgeon. To relieve the inflammatory process, homeopathic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Provided that the ligamentous apparatus has not lost its elasticity, even the resulting bone growth will not cause pain. But if there is severe pain, anti-inflammatory drugs must be taken for a long time. As for local treatment, compresses and ointments are prescribed.

The use of physiotherapy gives positive results:

1. To relieve swelling, reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation, magnetic resonance therapy is prescribed.
2. Shock wave therapy affects soft tissues; high-frequency acoustic waves also stimulate blood supply, eliminate inflammation and pain. The effect of such therapy is equivalent to surgery.
3. Laser therapy affects the subcutaneous tissues; with the help of the beam, tissue restoration processes are activated.
4. The pain is well relieved by X-ray therapy; low-dose radiation rays block nerve endings.
5. Medicinal and physical effects are combined with phonophoresis. Hydrocortisone ointment is injected into the heel tissue using ultrasound. The drug thus penetrates deeper into the tissue and has a more effective anti-inflammatory effect.

If conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis is ineffective, then the question of surgical intervention arises, but according to statistics, only 70% of operations can be considered successful.

The operation is performed under local anesthesia - it is injected into the spine, thereby blocking sensitivity. The operation can be traditional (open) or endoscopic (minimally invasive). The latter is naturally less traumatic, and the recovery process is easier and faster.

The following complications are possible after surgery:

• the nerve may be injured during the operation;
• the postoperative wound takes a long time to heal and it may fester;
• pain may intensify;
• nerve cells can form a benign tumor.

Treatment with traditional methods

How to treat plantar fasciitis at home? The beneficial properties of ginger relieve inflammation and relieve pain. Grate the ginger root, take 1 tbsp. l. the resulting mass and fill it with water (glass). Boil the product for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes, then drink throughout the day.

1. Turmeric is also a fairly strong pain reliever. For a glass of warm milk you will need 1 tsp. turmeric, mix it well in milk and drink. If you don't like the taste, you can add honey.
2. Fish oil will help eliminate muscle stiffness and inflammation, and it also contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce pain. Eating fish or drinking fish oil is very helpful for plantar fasciitis.
3. Cayenne pepper is also a good pain reliever and you can use it to make foot baths. Just add a pinch of pepper to a bowl of water. Make sure that the water is not hot, otherwise it may cause skin irritation. The bath should be taken for 10 minutes, then be sure to rinse your feet with warm water. If your feet have cuts or inflammation, you should not use pepper. If the bath causes discomfort and causes severe burning, you should immediately stop the procedure and rinse your feet with clean water.
4. The “king” of all home remedies is apple cider vinegar; it perfectly relieves pain and treats inflammation. Take a glass of warm water, add 1 tsp to it. honey and 1 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar, stir and drink. Important: do not drink apple cider vinegar without diluting it with water - this can cause various gastrointestinal diseases. Apple cider vinegar can also be used for baths: add 2 tbsp to a bowl of water. l. and soak your feet for 5-10 minutes.

Folk remedies (like medications) are also aimed at relieving pain. However, to treat plantar fasciitis, the main thing is to eliminate its cause.

Disease prevention

To prevent fasciitis, you must follow these guidelines:

• watch your weight;
• before training, stretch, warm up your calf muscles and feet, especially for runners;
• increase the mileage for the race once a week and by no more than 10%;
• if you run on asphalt, choose good running shoes with springy soles;
• do not wear shoes that are too narrow or loose, they should support your feet well;
• Give yourself a foot massage regularly in the evenings;
• Once a week, relax your feet in a bath with ginger or any medicinal herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Remember that a progressive and protracted disease is more difficult to treat. Therefore, at the first unpleasant symptoms, consult a doctor for diagnosis.

Plantar (plantar) fasciitis is a disease characterized by acute pain in the heel area. Sometimes the painful sensations become so severe that it is difficult for the patient to step on his foot.

In some cases, this disease is called a heel spur, but the use of such a term is unfounded: a heel spur is a consequence of the development of plantar fasciitis. It is also sometimes seen in people who have not previously experienced heel pain.

Nature of the disease

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue in the area where the plantar fascia (a connective structure that is a strong ligament) connects to the heel bone. A similar phenomenon occurs as a result of the formation of micro-fractures in this place. As the inflammatory process progresses, it can occur here, which contributes to the formation of a heel spur. This is a bone growth.

A characteristic symptom of foot fasciitis is pain in the heel area. It reaches its greatest extent in the morning, immediately after the patient awakens. During the day, unpleasant sensations may suddenly arise, intensify with exercise, and disappear.

Excessive load on the lower legs is a fundamental factor in the development of such a pathology, so the risk group primarily includes runners and overweight people.

Causes of plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia can become inflamed due to the following reasons:

• Running, especially over long distances. The risk increases if a person neglects to perform exercises to stretch the calf muscles;

• Having flat feet. In this case, the flattening of the arch of the foot causes excessive tension on the plantar fascia. This is why micro-tears begin to form on it;

• Excess weight, causing an increase in the load directly on the plantar fascia;

• Joint disease;

• Rolling of the foot when walking inward;

• Wearing uncomfortable or worn out shoes;

• Age-related changes. Against the backdrop of a slowdown in recovery processes in the body and deterioration of blood circulation, the layer of subcutaneous fatty tissue in the heel area becomes thinner;

• Heel bone injuries;

• Change in foot position due to. Because the bone moves inward while the toe bends and “goes” outward, a significant degree of stress is placed on the heel;

• The presence of diseases such as gout, diabetes and atherosclerosis. All of them contribute to slowing down metabolic processes and poor circulation, which leads to thinning of bone tissue.

The reasons listed above contribute to the fact that the bone irritates the fascia on an ongoing basis. This, in turn, becomes a factor in the development of the inflammatory process. The inflammation is aseptic in nature, that is, it occurs without the intervention of microorganisms.

As the disease progresses, the inflamed area ossifies, causing a bone spur to form. Painful sensations arise due to chronic inflammation of the heel area.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis

The most characteristic symptoms of foot fasciitis are pain in the sole, which usually occurs when walking. A feature of the pathology is that pain appears immediately after waking up, when a person takes his first steps. This is due to the fact that during a long night's rest, microstretches on the fascia heal a little, and then sharply stretch again.

In addition, pain manifests itself after physical activity or sports, or after a long stay in one position.

Patients describe the nature of the pain as pain that occurs when the lower part of the foot is pierced with a pin. Over time, it turns into a dull pain.

Unpleasant sensations are concentrated on the plantar surface of the heel, and sometimes spread to the back surface of the bone.

If plantar fasciitis becomes chronic with the formation of a heel spur, it becomes so difficult for a person to move that he does so by trying not to rest on the heel at all. This results in an increased amount of stress placed on the outside of the foot and toe.

If you feel pain in the heel, it is advisable to seek help from an orthopedist or orthopedic traumatologist as soon as possible.

In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, a specialist must:

• Question the patient about symptoms that bother him;

• Examine the patient's foot;

• Conduct an X-ray examination. Based on the results obtained, the size of the bone growth can be assessed and the appropriate treatment method can be determined.

Conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis

Treatment of the disease should be comprehensive and include various measures: taking medications, doing therapeutic exercises, massage, physiotherapeutic procedures.

As a rule, conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis can be done at home.

So, what measures does conservative treatment of heel fasciitis involve?

• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or homeopathic drugs (if there is no bone growth);

• Stretching classes - gymnastics to stretch the muscles of the foot. Regular exercises reduce heel pain by eliminating tension in the calf muscles;

• The use of orthoses - orthopedic insoles made to the individual size of the patient. They, providing a full fit to the foot, restore the normal height of the longitudinal arch of the foot. This reduces fascial tension;

• Physiotherapeutic procedures: magnetic resonance, laser, etc. Such activities can improve blood circulation, eliminate inflammation, and promote the resorption of spurs. Can also be used, aimed at eliminating pain, and phonophoresis - the introduction of hydrocortisone ointment into the tissue of the heel area using ultrasound);

• Injection of corticosteroids (Disprospan, Hydrocortisone) into the area of ​​inflammation. The technique is used only if other methods of treatment do not produce results, since it has many side effects.

In addition, the patient needs to remember the importance of resting the feet and reducing physical activity as much as possible.

If the measures listed above do not produce any results, the patient is indicated for surgical treatment. According to statistics, about 70% of operations for plantar fasciitis are effective.

At home, special gymnastics are recommended for the treatment and prevention of plantar fasciitis:

Video with therapeutic exercises for fasciitis:

An excellent option would be to roll a bottle of cold water with your heels or a cold compress on the sole:

Surgical treatment of heel fasciitis

As for surgical treatment of this pathology, it is necessary only in 5% of all cases.

Indications for such an operation are:

• Lack of results when using conservative therapy methods used for six months;

• Severe manifestations of plantar fasciitis, from which the patient suffers, despite the measures taken;

• The need for urgent elimination of symptoms of the disease that interfere with the patient’s professional duties or usual physical activity.

The operation involves cutting the plantar fascia. Under local anesthesia, a manipulation is performed that involves the use of endoscopic instruments or a direct incision.

During surgery, the plantar fascia may be separated from the heel bone or cut to relieve tension. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the damaged tissue.

This surgical procedure can lead to a number of complications, including pain in the heel area, the risk of nerve damage, the formation of a benign tumor, and infection in the wound.

As a rule, with the right approach to treatment, plantar fasciitis has a favorable prognosis.

Preventive measures

If a person is predisposed to developing plantar fasciitis, he should follow certain rules in order to prevent it. They are to:

• Choose orthopedic insoles and heel supports. An orthopedic surgeon will help with this. Special insoles will help reduce the load on the fascia and reduce the risk of micro-tears;

• Gradually reduce weight if you have excess weight;

• Maintain a drinking regime (drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day). This will remove salts from the body;

• Perform exercises to stretch the calf muscles;

• Avoid physical activity that places excessive stress on the feet and joints. This also applies to sports activities.

Plantar fasciitis is not sudden. Therefore, subject to timely consultation with a doctor and proper treatment, the development of the inflammatory process and the formation of bone growth can be prevented.

Heel fasciitis is a common cause of pain and discomfort in the lower extremities. In the absence of timely and reasonable treatment, a bone growth may form in the heel area, popularly called a heel spur. Treatment of heel fasciitis involves contacting a specialist, since it is a fairly serious disease.

Foot fasciitis - what is it?

The disease causes pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia, which connects the toes and the heel bone. This is an extremely dangerous pathology for the musculoskeletal system, which requires timely detection and treatment.

Sometimes it is impossible to do without surgical intervention. The disease tends to develop, which leads to complications that are dangerous to the healthy functioning of the human body.

In medicine, the pathology is called plantar fasciitis or plantar. Among the people, this disease has a simpler and fairly common name - heel spur.

As a result of untimely consultation with a doctor and prescription of therapy, complications may develop, such as Achilles tendinitis and other pathologies of the lower extremities, leading to incomplete mobility or severe pain in the legs.

The pathology causes an inflammatory process in the plantar fascia. This is an organ that is a kind of ligament. Its main function is to attach the heel bone to the human foot, support the arch of the foot, and enable normal movement.

While walking, a person steps on his heel. If discomfort caused by this inflammation occurs, then the ability to fully move is reduced. Most often, heel fasciitis is characteristic of athletes, people whose professions require prolonged standing and constant movement on their feet.

The physiological characteristics of the human foot require shock absorption and softening during running and walking. Thanks to this function, possible injury to the lower extremities is prevented and discomfort during movements is reduced. As a result of prolonged, regular or excessive load on the foot area, especially the heel, overstrain occurs, which can lead to this kind of inflammation. In fact, there are many factors that cause fasciitis.

Video “Fasciitis of the sole - a recipe for quick treatment”

Demonstrative video with a traditional medicine recipe for therapy and elimination of discomfort with heel spurs.

Causes

During heavy physical activity, small microtraumas form in the area of ​​the same fascia. They usually tend to heal on their own, without any treatment. This occurs under the condition of a measured load, alternating walking and rest. But with the frequent occurrence of those same micro-tears and stretches of the fascia, the inflammatory process begins.

Plantar fasciitis can occur for the following reasons:

• excessive load on the heel bone and nearby tissues (often typical for professional needs - athletes, dancers, hairdressers, etc.);
• deformation of the foot - flat feet and uneven distribution of load due to it contribute to overload of the fascia;
• obesity, extra pounds, putting additional stress on the feet;
• some professions that require standing for a long time - teachers, builders, hairdressers, couriers, athletes and others;
• pathologies of the spine, such as scoliosis, osteochondrosis, as a result of which the center of gravity shifts and the load on the legs increases;
• pregnancy and heavy weight gain, which also implies a shift in the center of gravity.

Even age and gender can influence the development of pathology. Heel fasciitis is more common in men over 40 years of age.

Quite often, patients go to the doctor with complaints of foot pain too late. In this case, the disease is usually only the result of the development of another disease. Most often in such situations, the doctor diagnoses flat feet, club feet, and other changes in the shape of the lower extremities, which lead to a similar complication.

Oddly enough, even such a banal reason as improperly selected shoes can contribute to the development of this disease. Of course, we cannot ignore such a factor as mechanical damage. Often, inflammation of the fascia develops against the background of injuries, such as sprains, ruptured ligaments and tendons, fractures, and so on.

How to treat heel fasciitis, and how to recognize this disease? Why do most people lose sight of the signs of pathology and seek help from a specialist late? In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to study the symptoms of the disease.

Foot fasciitis - symptoms and treatment

Before treating plantar fasciitis, it is necessary to consult a doctor, since only a qualified specialist can accurately diagnose and prescribe therapy.

Typically, this disease has clear symptoms, which suggest fasciitis without additional diagnostic measures.

The most common manifestation of the pathology is the occurrence of severe pain in the heel area. Most often they appear during movement, walking, and are most noticeable after a long stay in a sitting position. This pain is especially noticeable in the morning, after sleep.

During long walking or standing, the discomfort may increase, and in the evening, some patients complain that they cannot stand on their feet at all.

A heel spur causes such severe and sharp pain that some compare it to being pricked by some sharp object. Sometimes, as a symptom, both local and general body temperature may increase, and swelling may appear. In this case, you cannot hesitate, and you must consult a doctor as soon as possible, especially if the heel spur affects both legs at once. In such circumstances, it is possible that the pathology is caused by more serious diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Other signs that may indicate the presence of fascial inflammation:

• tingling sensation in the legs and feet while moving;
• back pain;
• swelling that occurs due to the accumulation of fluid in the ankle and heel area;
• feeling .

Depending on the advanced stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe measures to treat heel fasciitis and give general recommendations that will help reduce symptoms.

Plantar fasciitis - how to treat?

Heel spurs require conservative therapy, except in some cases when the situation is too advanced. To eliminate discomfort and pain, complex therapy is necessary, aimed at eliminating excessive stress on the lower extremities.

In the absence of therapy, the pain can intensify and last for quite a long time, periodically subsiding. In such cases, the possibility of complications also increases, which leads to surgical intervention and the absence of the possibility of conservative treatment.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis is primarily aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and reducing the load.

The initial stage of therapy is to ensure rest for the lower extremities. The second rule of successful treatment is considered to be the selection of comfortable shoes. If the heel spur is caused by flat feet, then it is necessary to purchase special orthopedic shoes or insoles. Such shoes provide heel fixation and do not allow the sole to fall inward.

The patient’s weight is also important during treatment. If it is significantly higher than normal, then it is necessary to normalize this indicator in order to eliminate pain.

1. Traditional ways to treat heel fasciitis

Before using any traditional method, even the safest one, you should consult your doctor. The most effective recipe for treating the disease is concentrated salt baths. To prepare, you need to dilute two tablespoons of salt in a liter of hot water. The procedure takes 30-40 minutes, after which you need to wear warm socks to maintain the thermal effect.

Another effective recipe is birch buds. With their help, you need to prepare an alcohol tincture, to which, in addition to birch buds (50 g), 100 grams of medical alcohol is added. After the product has been infused for three hours, it can be used for compresses. To do this, a bandage soaked in the infusion must be applied to the affected area two to three times a day, for two hours. Cover the top with cling film and put on warm socks.

The recipe using vinegar is especially popular. is an effective remedy that has been known for many years. If you are diagnosed with heel fasciitis, you can take baths with vinegar, vodka and turpentine, which are added in equal proportions. All components are mixed and heated using a water bath. Next, your feet need to be lowered into a bath with this solution until it cools completely.

Plantar fasciitis and its symptoms will help to overcome potatoes, which need to be cut into small slices and applied to the heels, secured on top with a bandage and a woolen sock. It is better to carry out the procedure before bedtime. By doing such lotions daily, you will notice that the pain gradually begins to subside, and the discomfort will soon disappear altogether.

When using folk recipes, you need to be prepared for the fact that this is a slow way to combat pathology. It requires quite a lot of time and patience, since the effect is cumulative.

2. Drug treatment

Doctors usually prescribe pharmacological drugs to reduce symptoms. These can be either internal complex preparations in the form of tablets, capsules, or local medications - ointments, gels, patches, and so on. The main purpose of such drugs is to relieve pain, reduce swelling, if any, and relieve the inflammatory process.

An excellent option in such cases are non-steroidal medications with analgesic properties: Meloxicam, Naproxen, Camelot, Nurofen and others. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also used in therapy, such as Chondroxit, Voltaren, Diclofenac, Contractubex.

Sometimes, in very advanced situations, but when there is a possibility of drug rather than surgical treatment, special injections can be used. They are used as medicinal shock therapy. To do this, corticosteroids are injected into the painful area. But, unfortunately, this procedure does not have a long-term effect.

3. Physiotherapy

For a comprehensive impact on the problem, physiotherapeutic procedures can be prescribed:

1. Magnetotherapy. Under the influence of an alternating magnetic field, blood circulation improves, resulting in relief of inflammation, swelling and pain.
2. Laser. Laser beams tend to penetrate deeply through the layers of skin into soft tissues. Laser therapy usually reduces swelling and reduces the feeling of heaviness and discomfort.
3. Extracorporeal ultraviolet therapy. During the procedure, high-frequency sound waves are exposed. Thanks to vibration movements, blood moves faster through the vessels, which accelerates tissue regeneration.

In cases where a comprehensive approach of conservative therapy is useless, surgery is performed.

Preventing fasciitis

First of all, what doctors advise is to monitor your weight, since extra pounds are an additional burden on the entire body and on the fascia. Secondly, shoes, which should be comfortable, preferably orthopedic. It is not recommended to wear shoes with heels higher than 3-4 cm; when buying shoes, pay attention to instep supports and shock absorption.

If at the end of the day you feel pain or burning in the foot area, then apply a cold compress for a short time, which will help get rid of the pain and swelling. If you regularly feel discomfort, consult a doctor to recognize the disease in time. You should not self-medicate, since in the case of orthopedic diseases it is most often ineffective and even dangerous.

Video “How to treat plantar fasciitis?”