Plantar fasciitis can be successfully treated with proper arch support in many cases. A variety of shoe companies now make shoes and other products that are specifically designed to prevent or support plantar fasciitis. Ankle braces, which can be prescribed or purchased over the counter, also provide support for plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Support Options

Shoe inserts have shown to provide support for prevention or treatment of plantar fasciitis. Shoe inserts can be purchased in shoe stores, retail stores, and pharmacies. Some inserts that may be helpful in relieving symptoms and helping to treat plantar fasciitis include cushioned insoles, heel liners, arch supports, and foot cushions. These products can be placed to provide extra support for problem areas of the foot that may cause or aggravate plantar fasciitis.

Prescription Medications

In some cases, plantar fasciitis is more severe or does not respond well to plantar fasciitis support products or shoes that were purchased over the counter. Physicians may be able to prescribe shoes or support products which are specially crafted for the patient. These prescribed support products are called custom orthotic devices and may help patients to successfully heal from plantar fasciitis without medication or surgery.

Specialty Shoes

There are many different types of footwear that can provide the support needed to treat or prevent plantar fasciitis. Shoe companies have begun to offer sneakers, open toed shoes, boots, slippers, and dress shoes that can assist patients with corrections to treat plantar fasciitis while not detracting from daily activities or work. These shoes provide arch support, cushion on the heel and balls of feet, and a wide heel base to disperse shock.

Support Benefits

If a patient can successfully treat plantar fasciitis using support products or shoes, the patient benefits by not being exposed to the risks inherent in other forms of treatment. Medication injections to treat plantar fasciitis are most often steroids, which can have a variety of side effects. Splints, which are often recommended to be worn at night by patients receiving injections, can be uncomfortable and may not be effective. Plantar fasciitis may also require a shorter recovery time when treated using less severe or invasive forms of treatment.

Plantar Fasciitis Surgery

In about 10 percent of cases, patients must receive surgery to relieve the tension on the plantar fascia. This surgery requires about six weeks of recovery, and may require the patient to wear a splint or cast during recovery. Surgery can be prevented in many cases by wearing plantar fasciitis shoes or support products as early as possible after diagnosis.     Sources: “Plantar Fasciitis.” Medline Plus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Feb 2014. Web. 12 Mar 2014. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007021.htm>. “Plantar Fasciitis.” PubMed. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 Mar 2012. Web. 12 Mar 2014. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004438/>. “Shoe Inserts and Prescription Custom Orthotics.”American Podiatric Medical Association. American Podiatric Medical Association, n.d. Web. 12 Mar 2014. <http://www.apma.org/Learn/FootHealth.cfm?ItemNumber=988>.