Not all shoes provide the same support. Dr. Mustafa discusses plantar fasciitis in women wearing flats.

Many fashion-forward women are aware of the painful consequences that come with wearing high heels for extended periods of time. This should come as no surprise, especially when your feet start to hurt after wearing sky-high heels for just a few hours.

Sartorial folklore has long held that wearing flats is generally much better for your feet than wearing uber-high heels, and science has time and again supported this theory, with numerous reports revealing the damaging health results of wearing heels. But believe it or not, flats aren’t completely out of the doghouse, either. Even a cursory Google search on the health risks of wearing flats reveals some pretty jaw-dropping facts. What women often don’t realize is that flat shoes, especially those with little to no foot support, can cause just as many foot problems as heels.

The story of a women who packed her favorite flats for a family vacation only to find herself in debilitating pain for most of the trip is unfortunately all too common.

Michelle Crow, a 41-year-old teaching assistant, ended up with foot pain during her vacation. Like many of us, Crow had worn a pair of wooden-soled flip-flops. The flip-flops left her with burning, stabbing pains. When the pain did not subside after her trip, she consulted her doctor. He informed her that she had plantar fasciitis.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. It stretches when you plant your foot on the ground and contracts when you lift up, but if it’s too tight or inflamed, plantar fasciitis can occur. The typical symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain in your heel, arch of the foot, or along the bottom of your feet; this pain may be worse first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.
In the case with Michelle, walking with flat shoes that have thin, unsupportive soles caused excessive pressure on her heel bones. This led to blisters on her Achilles tendon when the back of the shoe rubbed repeatedly against her heel.

This problem often results from a lack of sole support. When purchasing new shoes, choose low-heeled or block-heeled shoes instead of those that are completely flat.

What are the Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?

– Ill-fitting shoes
– Weight change
– Excessive running
– Non-supportive shoes
– Overpronation

How Can You Treat Plantar Fasciitis?

Your podiatrist can customize a treatment plan for your plantar fasciitis based on your symptoms, medical history, and results of imaging studies, like in-office x-rays.

Your podiatrist may recommend a combination of several of the following treatment therapies:

Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices.

Shockwave therapy – sends sound waves to the areas experiencing pain. Requires multiple sessions. It’s a highly-effective treatment for very persistent cases of plantar fasciitis.

Ultrasound-guided steroid injections into the plantar fascia – This is from a relatively new and small study, but in most cases treated, it proved to be effective.

New Studies on Treatment

According to groundbreaking treatment option studies, Luca M. Sconifienza, M.D. says that ultrasound, with steroid injections was effective in over 95% of cases that involve plantar fasciitis. This process involves anesthesia and is a single process. Luca M. Sconifienza MD presented her study at an annual meeting for the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

If you are experiencing foot pain, be sure to speak with your podiatrist about the various treatment options.

You can also contact one of our award-winning podiatrists at Family Foot & Leg Center. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

You may contact Dr. Isin Mustafa’s office at (239) 430-3668 (FOOT) or visit our website at www.NaplesPodiatrist.com

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