Plantar fasciitis is a foot injury, that causes pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel and feet. The condition usually results from the irritation and inflammation of plantar fascia – thick tissues on the foot bottom. These tissues or plantar fascia help you during foot movements or walking. If you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, wearing foot or ankle braces may help you relieve pain. As well as this, bracing your feet may also help prevent plantar fasciitis in many conditions.
How do ankle braces help with plantar fasciitis?
Wearing ankle support braces provides your foot and ankle with complete support, helping reduce pain and other discomforts associated with plantar fasciitis. Ankle support braces may also help you in a variety of ways. For example, they provide feet and ankles with sufficient compression, helping minimise inflammation and swelling in the injured or affected areas.
Ankle braces are also best at stabilising your feet, helping reduce stress on the plantar fascia. Some ankle braces are designed with additional arch support. It helps distribute weight evenly across your foot. Thus, it also helps minimise the amount of stress on the plantar fascia. As well as this, foot or ankle supports also help maintain proper alignment, reducing the risk of further injury and speeding up recovery.
How to choose the best ankle braces?
A number of factors are involved in selecting the right ankle support brace. For example, you must look for the support level first. Ankle braces are designed from basic or mild to advance or maximum support. Then you should take care of size and fit. Remember that poorly fitted braces can cause discomfort or may also exacerbate the injury.
Ankle braces are designed with different materials, including neoprene, elastic, and nylon. You must choose the materials that suit your skin and comes up with maximum benefits. The best and recommended way of choosing the right brace is to consult your healthcare professionals. They can better decide on the braces according to your needs.
How long does plantar fasciitis take to heal?
The duration of healing plantar fasciitis depends on the condition or intensity of the injury. However, usually, it takes 6 – 12 months for your foot or heel to get back to normal. You must follow the treatment plans properly as suggested by your GP to speed up recovery.