Foot Injuries
What is 'plantar fasciitis'?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fascia, which is a thick fibrous layer that helps support the longitudinal arch of the foot. The most common reason for having this is standing on a hard surface for hours on end, or tight calf muscles. We also see it in people who don't wear a soft rubber soled shoe when standing for long periods of time. It is very painful, and is not as a result of a heel spur. Rather, the heel spur is the result and not the cause of plantar fasciitis. The treatment of this is using a heel cup, stretching the calf muscle, using soft rubber soled shoes, and stretching the foot and the calf down.
How should an athlete treat blisters on the feet?
An athlete should treat blisters on the feet very carefully, and it really needs to be paid attention to. The most common cause of blisters is a poor-fitting shoe. Using padding or a band-aid, using vaseline between the toes when long-distance running, getting a good shoe fit, sometimes wearing two socks are all helpful. Many long-distance runners will actually change shoes in the middle of a long race to avoid developing blisters.
How can an athlete prevent calluses on the feet?
Calluses on the feet comes from bad shoe wear or bony prominences striking constantly against the hard surface. The main way to avoid calluses is a proper shoe fit, and proper footwear.
