How to deal with plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the bones of the heel and toes. According to data from the National Health Insurance Service, 257,929 people were treated for plantar fasciitis in 2018, a 44 percent increase from 179,057 in 2014. /Gettyimagesbank

By Bahk Eun-ji

Waking up in the morning with stabbing foot pain might be one of the most common orthopedic complaints especially among menopausal women who experience many changes to their bodies. Such pain can be serious enough to disrupt their daily lives.

It's called plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the bones of the heel and toes. It manifests as pain in the heel or at the bottom of the mid-foot area.

It commonly causes stabbing pain, usually when the person takes the first steps in the morning. The pain normally diminishes as one gets up and moves around, but it may return after some time of standing or when standing up after sitting.

Plantar fasciitis does not necessarily have a single cause. Several risk factors can increase a person's likelihood of developing the condition.

It is more common among people whose occupations involve a lot of walking or other activities that put a heavy load on their feet. It also occurs in those who are overweight or obese, which puts more pressure on the feet.

Women are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis than men, although the reason for this is still unknown.

“It may be because of certain risk factors for women in their 40s to 60s, such as pregnancy and wearing unsupportive shoes,” said Park Min-jung, a professor of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) Ilsan Hospital.

She suggested that more women in the workforce are required to stand for much longer periods than men.

Park also said menopausal women in their 50s are especially vulnerable, as hormonal changes make the fat layer of the sole thinner. According to data from the NHIS, 257,929 people were treated for plantar fasciitis in 2018, a 44 percent increase from 179,057 in 2014.

Among last year's patients, 148,125 were women, taking up 57.4 percent. Older women were especially vulnerable, with 30.9 percent of total female patients being in their 50s.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis should start with exercise, as gentle motion of the leg and foot muscles can help ease the pain and speed up healing. The exercises include foot flexing, calf stretching, curling a towel between the toes and picking up marbles with the toes. Some patients may also find that foot massages help alleviate the pain.

Some simple lifestyle changes can also help recovery and prevent the person from developing the illness again.

Wearing comfortable shoes will reduce the daily impact of standing and walking. It is also necessary to replace shoes once they start to wear out. When the sole of a shoe becomes thinner, it provides diminished support for the foot and absorbs less impact when the foot hits the ground.

“Recovery can take time, but if the pain continues for more than six months, the patient should consider help from a doctor. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy at an orthopedic clinic is an effective treatment,” Park said.