Stiffness
Stiffness in the feet can be typically attributed to several possible factors, including osteoarthritis, neuropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, slipped disc, stiff man syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. The feet are among the most important body parts, but they are also among the most overlooked and underappreciated. The feet contain about 30 joints, and arthritis and other inflammatory diseases affect most of them, causing stiffness, pain, and discomfort.
Plantar fasciitis causes stiffness because the inflamed tendon cannot properly interact with the rest of the cartilage and tendons that comprise the feet. As a result, they tend to lock up, causing stiffness and a discomforting feeling when an individual moves. As a result, the person tends to walk gingerly as they try to relieve the stiffness. Some also try to force blood into the feet as they power through the pain, which isn’t easy to do as the stabbing pain can be quite intense. Hormonal changes can also stimulate stiffness as they play an important part in the lubrication of the joints.
Health experts recommend practicing RICE, an abbreviation for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, to prevent severe stiffness, especially after an injury. In addition, doctors recommend staying off the feet and ensuring that there wouldn’t be any weight put on them for the time being.
