We’re the Foot Specialists of Birmingham, and we’re back with another blog about wearable products for managing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. We’ve previously reviewed plantar fasciitis socks and splints. If you’re curious about trying a brace for plantar fasciitis symptoms, it’s your lucky day; keep reading to learn all about plantar fasciitis braces!
Brace for Plantar Fasciitis: a Q&A with Birmingham’s Best Foot Specialists
What is a brace for plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis braces are similar to the plantar fasciitis socks we discussed in our previous blog; they perform similarly and deliver the same type of benefit.
Just like plantar fasciitis socks, a brace for plantar fasciitis supports and stabilizes the ankle without entirely limiting mobility to prevent further strain. It also gently compresses the plantar surface to give more support and relieve pain.
The main differences between a plantar fasciitis sock and a brace for plantar fasciitis are that they sometimes have sizing adjustment with Velcro straps and tend to have a thicker, more solid structure that better reinforces stability.
Sometimes, patients wear a combination of a plantar fasciitis splint and a brace; the splint simply provides more rigid stabilization for the condition and incorporates necessary stretching.
Do plantar fasciitis braces really help?
Wearing a brace for plantar fasciitis can provide highly therapeutic, targeted pain relief and strain prevention. However, it is essential to remember that they aren’t a cure and are usually secondary to treatments like steroid injections.
Again, as with wearing plantar fasciitis socks, getting a brace that isn’t too tight or loose is essential. Poorly fitting braces can further strain the foot, exacerbate plantar fascia inflammation, cut off circulation, or fail to “work” as designed.
Is a diagnosis necessary to wear a brace for plantar fasciitis?
Yes, do NOT try to get a brace for plantar fasciitis without receiving a clinical diagnosis and a recommendation from an expert.
Wearing a brace for plantar fasciitis when you don’t have it can cause it to develop; please go to a doctor who diagnoses and treats plantar fasciitis before self-diagnosing and self-treating with a brace.
What kind of doctor diagnoses and treats plantar fasciitis?
The best way to get a plantar fasciitis diagnosis, treatment, and tools for symptom management is to go to a podiatrist. We have a wealth of expertise in plantar fasciitis’ complicated pathophysiology that everyday people and primary care physicians do not.
Get the foot pain relief you long for—Visit Birmingham, AL’s Leading Podiatrists Today!
Whether you have plantar fasciitis or something else causing foot pain, the Foot Specialists of Birmingham can determine the root cause and effectively treat it within a few visits.
Contact our staff today to schedule an appointment. Our commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care means that our entire staff will ensure that every aspect of your visit is comfortable, worthwhile, and convenient.
