Prophylaxis and risk factors | Pain on the sole of the foot

Prophylaxis and risk factors

Depending on the underlying disease that is responsible for the pain on the sole of the foot, there are a number of different risk factors for the development of sole pain. Since a number of the possible illnesses that can cause the symptoms can be caused by overloading different structures, the risk factors overlap in this respect. Overweight in particular is a major risk factor for the development of pain.

Since overweight is also a risk factor for a number of other diseases that can also affect the sole of the foot, such as diabetes mellitus type II, weight reduction helps to avoid several diseases. However, certain sports such as basketball, volleyball or handball, which are played with fast sprints and quick stops, also place a great deal of strain on the structures of the foot. The shortening of the calf muscles also plays a decisive role in the development of some diseases of the sole of the foot. Here, frequent stretching can help to reduce the occurrence of pain in the sole of the foot.

Prognosis

The number of different diseases that can be responsible for sole pain makes it impossible to give a general prognosis for sole pain. Thus, pain caused by warts may disappear after the warts have been treated with cold, whereas the treatment for diabetic foot syndrome may last for weeks. Nevertheless, the prognosis is favorable for most diseases that cause pain in the sole of the foot.

In most cases, although the complete healing and thus the period of freedom from pain without medication takes several weeks, in most cases no permanent damage remains. Pain that lasts for more than 6 months and is thus classified as chronic pain has a worse prognosis. However, different therapeutic approaches can also help to achieve at least a reduction in pain. In any case, a doctor should be consulted in the case of pain in the sole of the foot so that therapy can be initiated as early as possible. In almost all cases, the earlier a diagnosis is made and therapy is started, the better the prognosis for complete, symptom-free healing.