Plantar fasciitis socks is a topic that keeps coming up in clinic. There’s been a slew of new products come on the market so we tried them and looked into the evidence. All to bring you this guide. Enjoy.
Wait, do you have plantar fasciitis or one of the many different causes of heel pain? Take the free online heel pain test to get your results in under a minute.
First Up: Plantar Fasciitis Socks: Do they work?
It’s a reasonable question.
Depends on what your looking for. Do they work at curing plantar fasciitis? No.
But there’s more to the story than that.
Does the man cleaning the toilets at NASA put astronauts into space? No…
But NASA still puts astronauts into space, and that man keeping the toilets clean plays a role in the process…
So, just like that toilet cleaner… These socks, when combined with a complete plantar fasciitis treatment plan can be part of your heel pain solution.
If there can be any doubt whether the author gets paid for selling plantar fasciitis socks I’ve just compared them to cleaning the toilets… Pretty sure these brands aren’t going to be stoked with that.
So let’s look at the top 4 plantar fasciitis socks which just like our man on the ground at NASA, can play their part in treating heel pain.
OAPL Plantar Fasciitis Sock
OAPL, an Aussie company of orthotists and medical suppliers have developed their own plantar fasciitis sock.
They say it’s been developed in house for symptom relief from heel pain…
Well, as a podiatrist who sees hundreds of clients with plantar fasciitis every year, it’s hardly going to put me out of a job.
But this is a comfortable sock with some nice tight compression around the arch with a gooey bit of silicon under the heel that changes things up just enough.
The verdict, worth a shot particularly if your suffering more from a fat pad herniation or fat pad odema under the heel (rather than true plantar fasciitis)
Experia by Thorlo Sock
These technical running socks are very comfortable under foot.
With moisture wicking fabric to remove sweat away from the skin and into your shoes Experia socks are for when you’re really active.
They utilise extra thick Thorlo (branded) padding under the ball of the foot and the heel is fantastic at reducing shear forces on the skin.
This can be important if you have plantar fasciitis due to too much twisting of your heel bone (calcaneus) and you need to wear an orthotic underfoot designed to change this.
Sometimes (albeit rarely and covered by our orthotic guarantee) this shear can irritate the skin under the heel causing an new, different and annoying type of heel pain.
If that’s the case a pair of Experia socks should sort it out.
Strassburg Sock
Like the pressed meat it’s named for (have not confirmed this 😉) the Strassburg sock is not for looks.
Worn at night, the Strassburg sock is the only plantar fasciitis sock to be able to lay some claims to be actually useful at treating plantar fasciitis related heel pain.
The sock works (or doesn’t work as it’s not a cure for all people) by pulling back and statically stretching the calf muscle out whilst in bed at night time.
Just like Strassburg from the deli, this might be good for a quick little pick me up and change your short term symptoms, but getting on top of your tight calves with a program to get lasting longer and stronger calves should be a much higher priority.
So if your calves are tight and you have plantar fasciitis, do your calf raises. And you could try a Strassburg sock too.
Also, check out this early 90’s website talking up the benefits of the Strassburg Sock. We’ve come so far.
Wigwam Merino Wool Sock
No sock list can be complete without the best sock known to feet.
The Wigwam merino wool socks are hands (feet) down the most comfortable, breathable, warm and yet cool socks you can buy.
Merino wool fibres keep your feet dry and toasty no matter what you’re doing.
Trekking Kokoda or sitting in a podiatry clinic…
Wigwam Merino wool socks will easily look after your feet, and your shoes and orthotics so you can spend your energy doing what you need to do to really fix your plantar fasciitis.
Any other questions about plantar fasciitis socks, raise your hands✋
Questions
Okay then, what treatments other than plantar fasciitis socks exist, that are proven to work?
Exercises, orthotics, shoe changes, maybe steroid injections, maybe shockwave. Best read this post on all the plantar fasciitis treatments.
Can you sleep in plantar fasciitis socks?
You have to sleep in the Strassburg socks, they’re not for walking around. The others, well it’s up to you.
Plantar Fasciitis Socks: Do they work?
Not really. Did you read that information above?
How to Choose Plantar Fasciitis Socks
Read this in depth analysis and then probably don’t buy any of them until you have a thorough plan to treat your plantar fasciitis from a gun podiatrist.
Are Dr. Sock Soothers good for plantar fasciitis?
I have no idea, just googled them. Wouldn’t think so.
Do Compression Socks Help Plantar Fasciitis?
Not really, see above.
How To Buy Socks If You Have Plantar Fasciitis
Go to shop, pick a colour and size you like. Pay for them.
Or there’s amazon…
What To Look For In A Plantar Fasciitis Sock
A place to put your feet that is comfortable, warm, but not hot and sweaty. Something that fits and is a fashion statement.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Heel pain, usually worse in the mornings or after you get up from a chair. Mostly sharp, can ache, it’s an overload of the plantar fascia. There’s so many reasons why someone might get plantar fasciitis that we wrote about them here.
Actually can I ask another question about plantar fasciitis?
Sure but maybe check this Q and A on plantar fasciitis first.
What would I (a podiatrist) do if I had plantar fasciitis?
Before throwing my very hard earned dollars down on a pair of plantar fasciitis socks I’d get a plan in place from a podiatrist.
A podiatrist like one of the team at Pride.
A plan to identify what are the modifiable and non-modifiable factors leading to my plantar fasciitis.
Then, I’d be working on my part of the plan, taping, doing my exercises, changing my shoes, getting my orthotics… Whatever my podiatrist and I agreed upon would be the best course of action to get my heel pain under control.
If you’d like to get your plantar fasciitis treatment plan then book online with the podiatrists at PridePlus Health here. There’s clinics in Melbourne CBD, Pascoe Vale, Emerald, Monbulk and even online podiatry via telehealth.
