By Bryanna Vesely, DPM, MPH
The most searched foot and ankle topic on Google is – by far – plantar fasciitis. If you asked a room full of foot and ankle physicians what was the most commonly seen foot problem they have treated, I am sure they would say the same thing. We have made significant progress in orthopaedic healthcare with simple yet effective techniques, like getting bone density checks for osteoporosis and educating on fall prevention to decrease the incidence of hip fractures.
While we know there are certain causative factors and preventative measures for plantar fasciitis, it remains prevalent and troublesome for our patients.
Why is that? I have some theories and some ideas for improvement:
Less active population – While technology has made incredible changes in our day-to-day lives, it has also caused our population to be less active. We know with certainty that extra pounds increase stress on our feet, causing additional stretch and inflammation of our plantar fascia. Studies indicate a direct relationship between obesity and foot and ankle problems. As physicians, we are responsible for treating foot and ankle pathology and promoting whole-body healthy choices to our patients. It is vital that we be proactive and address the obesity issue with our patients in a more straightforward and caring manner.
Shoe choices – Couple the fitness craze with fast and constantly evolving fashion, and you will find patients presenting with acute plantar fasciitis as a result of a new pair of shoes or performing an activity without the appropriate shoe support. Data from the Statista Research Department, Jan. 10, 2024, noted – “In the United States alone, almost 50 million people participated in running and jogging in 2021. Meanwhile, walking for fitness drew more than 110 million participants in the U.S. in the same year.”
We know that runners are prone to plantar fasciitis, but walking can also cause this disorder. We as providers need to take a leading role in educating our active patients in the prevention of plantar fasciitis before it becomes a chronic issue. Wearing supportive shoes, gait training by a professional coach and wearing orthotics can be real game changers for runners and walkers alike.
We must remind all of our patients that these preventative methods are not just for athletic patients. Everyone needs to wear appropriate shoes daily. Additionally, expensive shoes do not necessarily mean more support. Our job as healthcare providers is to teach our patients about supportive shoe selections in all budgets.
Tight Achilles – Did you know that about 50% of the general population has a tight Achilles? Tight Achilles can cause many foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis. Even for our athletic patients, stretching is a common part of their workout routine that is overlooked. As healthcare providers, we should educate our patients on incorporating stretching into their everyday lives for preventative and therapeutic purposes.
Bryanna Vesely, DPM MPH is a fellowship-trained podiatric surgeon who will be joining Orthopaedic & Spine Center on Sept. 2, 2024. She completed a high-level of training to specialize in the most up-to-date technology and cutting-edge surgical interventions including minimally invasive surgery, sports medicine injuries, and advanced reconstruction. osc-ortho.com
