Finding the best shoes for plantar fasciitis, especially for runners, should be approached in much the same way you select any running shoe. If I may, let’s first discuss what plantar fasciitis is.
Plantar fasciitis is above all, a painful, stubborn condition. If let untreated, you may experience the severity of this condition in having ligament rupture. Inflammation of the plantar fascia, commonly known as plantar fasciitis, occurs when the ligament mentioned earlier suffers a tear. This microscopic tear can happen from even a small shift in body weight during a run, but most often, it occurs from overuse…running too much without proper rest.
This is another reason for wearing properly fitted running shoes. Poorly fitted shoes, or worn-out shoes can lead to this and other injuries. Just as for the typical running shoes, shoes worn as part of your treatment should not fit too snug. It is best to have these shoes fitting loose, rather than too tight. When determining size, first start this task later in the day, as your feet tend to swell as the day goes on, much like how your feet swell during your run.
A proper shoe for treating plantar fasciitis will have little to no heel, a well-cushioned sole, and good arch support. Ladies, try not to wear too-high of heels, and do not wear flip-flops, or go barefoot, as this continues to place pressure on your heel, further aggravating your condition. The added cushioning and less of a hard heel impact, your heel bone will work less and the strain will be shifted away from that area.
Overall, select shoes that have good support and cushioning. Unlike typical running shoes, plantar fasciitis-specific shoes should be focused on comfort. If you are not comfortable, your plantar fascia will continue to be aggravated and inflamed. Since these shoes will be having your forefoot take more of the brunt of every step, be sure to have a broader toe box.
Though you can purchase specifically-designed shoes for this condition, I recommend consulting a physician about your options. It may be that a better-selected running shoe may be all you need, rather than investing much more money in a specific use shoe.
Diagnosing this issue early is truly the key. If you can start treatment of this condition right away, you should be able to keep your routine almost on track. This is not an injury that will just go away. If you continue to neglect it, it will worsen and possibly force you to sit on the sidelines. I should note, that only in sever, and rare cases, will surgery.
