If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you are well aware of the extent of the discomfort. Approximately one in ten people suffer from this widespread ailment, ranging from sedentary to athletic activity levels. It’s wonderful to know that there are numerous therapies you can try at home to ease your plantar fasciitis discomfort. Using compression socks may be an option for some people. Socks for plantar fasciitis have recently acquired favor as a low-cost home treatment.
Plantar fasciitis treatment options abound on the internet, with dozens of websites touting their wares as the cure for the condition. When it comes to plantar fasciitis socks, there are a plethora of possibilities, from footless to knee length, nude, black, or purple, with or without a gel heel, and even ones that have bags for ice packs or splints for support. As far as costs go, they range from roughly $10 to $50. The product descriptions are littered with medical jargon that can be difficult to decipher to exacerbate the problem.
How Effective Are Plantar Fasciitis Socks?
Plantar fasciitis socks are frequently questioned if they work, and the short answer is, “we don’t know.” Anecdotal evidence from patients who claim that plantar fasciitis socks have helped their condition may be found on the Internet but no peer-reviewed clinical studies have been done to verify whether or not these claims are real.
So, what about those who claim that plantar fasciitis socks were effective in treating their symptoms? That’s a huge decision to make and one that’s fraught with difficulty. One basic explanation for this is because, in the field of medical science or any other scientific discipline, a claim of efficacy can only be made after a number of independently repeatable experiments have been conducted. There are also ‘rules’ for conducting a trial. The scientific standards that must be adhered to in order for a study to be unbiased and valid are outlined in these guidelines. There are variables that must be carefully controlled in order for the results to be accurately statistically evaluated in order to create meaningful conclusions that can be replicated again and again. This is the simplest way to put it.
When conducting a study on the efficacy of plantar fasciitis socks, researchers would need to take into account and control variables such as the type of footwear worn, the number of steps taken, notes on any physical activity undertaken by patients, as well as the severity or degree of injury to the patients’ plantar fasciitis to begin with and gender, body weight, and related medical conditions. Researchers would need to think about how to eliminate bias in reporting or the “placebo effect” in patients and how to quantify the healing impact of the plantar fasciitis socks.
So, how do plantar fasciitis socks alleviate pain for sufferers? Because of their compression, they appear to be providing some pain relief. A common belief among sports podiatrists is that compression garments are an excellent means of reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. But the perfect strapping technique is all that is needed, and no expensive plantar fasciitis socks are required. Compression alone is unlikely to be sufficient for a damaged plantar fascia to recover. Patients who are using other therapies or remedies, such as acupuncture, will also have an impact on their healing and pain reduction. They may be resting their feet more frequently, doing prescribed exercises, or using cold therapy or other treatments while wearing socks. We can’t draw any conclusions without it.
How To Select Best Plantar Fasciitis Socks?
These socks support the heel and arch, which provide either mild or moderate pressure. Socks that compress the calf and the foot may not be the best choice if you have plantar fasciitis and need compression for your feet.
Your heel is the most important consideration when choosing the right sock or sleeve for you. To help you choose the right compression socks, here are some questions to ask while choosing plantar fasciitis socks.
What’s the right size for you?
Sizing is an important consideration when using compression socks and sleeves for plantar fasciitis. Too-tight socks can really cause more damage than good to your feet. You won’t get any benefit from socks that are overly big or little.
Do you think the socks will fit well in your shoes?
Stitching, thickness, and sweat-wicking ability are all elements to keep in mind when purchasing a new pair of socks.
What are the socks’ care guidelines?
Handwashing is required for some socks. This type is not recommended if you plan to wash yours in a washing machine, as they will wear out more faster than other types.
Uses of Compression Socks
Compression socks function by applying pressure to the soles of your feet and, in certain situations, your calves. Swelling is reduced as a result of the increased blood flow. Plantar fasciitis discomfort may also be reduced by using these products.
There is a dearth of scientific evidence to support the use of compression socks to treat this illness. However, many patients experience significant alleviation from its use, especially when paired with other treatments at home, especially in the long term. Some examples are as follows:
- Stretching plantar fasciitis
- orthotics
- Plantar fasciitis-specific footwear
- massage
- Applying ice to the affected area
- over-the-counter pain relievers
Talk to your sports podiatrist about clinically proven therapies instead of purchasing plantar fasciitis socks. Shockwave therapy, which has been demonstrated to enhance blood flow, tissue regeneration, and virtually immediate pain alleviation, is another example of a treatment that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
The bottom line
Plantar fasciitis socks have been reported to be effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. For maximum advantage, it is essential to select the correct size.
Compression socks by themselves are unlikely to be effective in relieving pain. In addition to compression sock use, you may want to try icing, massage, and over-the-counter pain medicines in order to get the best results.
