Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition involving heel pain that is caused when a band of tissue in the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. It is often caused by a sports or stress injury. The pain is usually worst after the feet have been at rest, and people suffering from the condition often report flare-ups in the morning when they first wake up or after they've been sitting for long time periods. When looking for shoes to help with plantar fasciitis, look for ones with good arch support or those that can accept a specialized insole to help support the feet.
Physical therapy is usually used to treat plantar fasciitis. Patients may also use bandages, arch supports, splints, braces, and special shoes with insoles and arch supports to relieve the condition. All these things are used to let the foot heal, which can take as long as a year.
Plan on spending several hours shopping when looking for shoes for plantar fasciitis. You'll want to try on many different pairs in order to select those that are the most comfortable for you. There are some ways to make the search easier, however. You need good arch support, but how much depends on your foot. If you have flat feet, a high arch, or turn your foot in or out when you walk &mash; or some combination of these — you will likely need different levels of support.
When trying to choose the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, specialized insoles can be added to make your shoes even more supportive. Your podiatrist may suggest custom orthotics, or you may be able to use a cheaper method, such as heat moldable orthotics. These fit into your shoes after the insole that comes with the shoe is removed. If you are not used to wearing arch supports or insoles, break them in slowly by wearing them only an hour or so a day to start.
Podiatrists often recommend supportive running shoes, and sandals and clogs made with materials that cushion the foot for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis. If you need to wear dressier shoes, you may have to depend entirely on insoles and arch supports that you add yourself since most brands don't provide the support you need.
Make sure you get new shoes regularly to help with the healing process. Wearing worn-out shoes may have contributed to your plantar fasciitis in the first place. Do not wait to buy new shoes until the pair you're wearing looks worn out; they should be replaced when cushion on the inside is no longer doing its job.
