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Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is inflamed. The plantar fascia is a thick ligament located across the bottom of your foot. It connects your toe with your heel bone. This condition is one of the most common orthopedic complaints and it causes pain at the bottom of your heel.
There are several types of treatment available to treat plantar fasciitis, including therapy, surgery, and other procedures. Your doctor will be able to determine the best type of treatment for you.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a key treatment for plantar fasciitis. During physical therapy, you will learn exercises to stretch your plantar fascia and strengthen your lower leg muscles, which will help stabilize your walking and lessen the workload on your plantar fascia. Your physical therapist may also use contrast baths, massage, or ultrasonography to help with your long-term healing.
Steroid injections
Your doctor may recommend steroid injections to relieve your pain temporarily, usually for about a month. It will also keep your inflammation down. The steroid medication is normally injected into the tender area or the most painful area of your plantar fascia. However, multiple shots are not recommended as they can weaken your plantar fascia, which can cause it to rupture.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
If physical therapy and other methods are not working, your doctor may suggest you undergo extracorporeal shock wave therapy. During this procedure, your doctor directs sound waves to the area of the heel where you experience pain to stimulate healing within the ligament. The sound waves literally “shock” your plantar fascia, which may reduce the pain you experience.
Surgery
Surgery is only performed where other methods have not worked, your pain is severe, or your pain lasts more than 6 to 12 months. There are two types of surgery that can be performed to treat plantar fasciitis:
Plantar fascia release involves partially detaching your plantar fascia from the heel bone to release tension and relieve inflammation.
Gastrocnemius recession is done to lengthen your calf muscle to release stress on the plantar fascia and increase your ankle motion. This procedure is typically recommended if you find it hard to flex your feet even though you consistently stretch.
Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you underwent. For non-surgical treatments, you should be able to leave Greece within 3 to 5 days. For surgical treatments, you may need to stay in the country for 7 days. For physical therapy, your length of stay depends on the frequency and how many appointments are needed. Your doctor/physical therapist/medical travel team will be able to advise you on this.
The recovery time will vary from person to person, depending on the severity of your condition and the type of treatment you have. With most types of treatments, you can go back to your normal routine within 1-2 weeks. With surgical procedures, you may need to wait for 3 to 6 weeks until you can go back to your normal routine. Whether you have a non-surgical or surgical procedure, it is important to increase the intensity and time of your activities gradually.
After all types of plantar fasciitis treatment, your doctor will give you instructions that you need to follow. These may include medications to take, diet plan to follow, exercises you can do, restrictions, and wound care (for surgical procedures).
After you have fully recovered, it is important that you maintain a healthy weight and you should also try to do low-impact exercises. It is also important that you wear shoes that fit well and support your arch.
Most types of plantar fasciitis treatment are generally effective and safe. However, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has not been shown to be consistently effective. Plantar fasciitis treatment, with the exception of physical therapy, carries some risks and side effects, such as nerve problems, neuroma, recurring heel pain, infection, chronic pain, bruises, numbness, and swelling.
In cases where your plantar fasciitis is not severe, you may be able to take pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, to ease your pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also recommend night splints or orthotics as the alternative. Night splints are used to stretch your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep. Orthotics are custom-fitted arch supports that can help distribute pressure to your feet more evenly.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Located at the very bottom of the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is a mesmerizing blend of sun-drenched islands and historical marvels. Boasting approximately 2,000 islands, an impressive 170 among them are inhabited and teeming with life. Greece's geographical charm has been nowhere short of a magnet to travelling enthusiasts, pulling in a spectacular count of over 24 million wanderlust-struck visitors each passing year.
Greece turns out to be a preferred hotspot for a particular category of globe-trotters. Travelers come from the farthest stretches of the world seeking its array of top-tier beaches to soak up the sun, the warm ocean for an invigorating dip, the array of ancient relics for their history fix, and to immerse into an engaging culture. The universal allure of Greece, seemingly, never ceases to captivate the hearts of explorers worldwide.
The upward shift in Greece's status as a medical tourism hub has been quite noticeable in recent years. Medical tourists are being increasingly drawn to the country, a relative newcomer in the industry, due to a myriad of reasons. One of the core attractions is its health care system, which holds a high rank on the global scale. However, in spite of boasting of world-class standards, the medical services in Greece are pleasantly affordable. In fact, it flaunts some of the most pocket-friendly medical care prices across Europe and even globally.
The medical services that Greece provides run a comprehensive gamut. Cosmetic surgery and fertility treatments are particularly sought-after medical services, favoured by numerous medical tourists. Orthopedics also sees a consistent flow of patients, along with cardiac care procedures. The well-established oral and dental sector in Greece is another popular draw for people wanting to combine their medical treatments with a relaxing vacation. The availability of such diverse, high quality, yet affordable healthcare options certainly puts Greece on the map as a promising medical tourism destination.
The captivating city of Athens, the crown jewel of Greece, presents a dazzling blend of antiquated splendor, enchanting landscapes, and a vibrant modern core. The capital prides itself in harboring an unparalleled assortment of Greek ruins and antiques. Prime among them is the Acropolis, an iconic ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop. The Greek Agora, a central public space in ancient Greek city-states, adds an extra charm to Athens’ archaeological grandeur.
On the other hand, the striking island of Santorini stands as another touristic magnet in Greece. Admired far and wide, it carries the reputation of being the most breathtaking island in the country. The enormous allure of Santorini with its distinctive architecture, caldera views, and famous sunsets, keeps it perennially embedded in the bucket lists of travelers worldwide. From the captivating capital of Athens to the charming Santorini, Greece exhibits alluring facets that are truly hard to resist.
It is best known for its unique landscape and cliff-top towns. While Santorini is the most spectacular, Mykonos is the most glamorous. It is noted for its classy seafood restaurants and boutique hotels. Some of the most famous attractions in Mykonos, besides its beaches, are Paraportiani and Little Venice.
Set on the Mediterranean, Greece experiences a climate that is typically balmy and sun-soaked throughout the year with a cycle of four distinct seasons. Summers, spanning June to August, bring about warm and agreeable temperatures. This peak season draws in a large number of tourists, making it an ideal time to take a dive into the azure seas.
As September ushers in the fall season, the weather across Greece turns cooler but largely stays clear. On the flip side, winters starting from December to February reveal a different picture. Coastal cities remain warm but the country's northern regions experience significantly lower temperatures, occasionally even witnessing snowfall.
As March marks the arrival of spring, the weather begins to warm up again, though evenings can retain a cool nip in the air. Each season has its unique charm and adds to the overall allure of Greece.
Athens International Airport holds the distinction of being the largest and busiest hub for international air travel in Greece. This is typically the point of arrival and departure for a majority of international tourists exploring Greece. The extensive network of this airport caters to both domestic and international flights, connecting many global cities like Dubai, London, Moscow, and New York to the heart of Greece.
Among affordable means of transport, the ferry services stand out, particularly for travelling among the islands. They run on a frequent basis, with services especially ramped up during the sun-soaked summer months. For land travel, buses come across as largely comfortable and hassle-free, although the network is somewhat limited.
For intra-city travel within major Greek metropolises, the extensive network of buses and trolleybuses prove to be reliable options. Particularly in Athens, the capital city, the metro and tram systems offer additional efficient and cost-effective ways to explore the local attractions. Additionally, taxis, which are conveniently available quite everywhere, turn out to be extremely pocket-friendly. Whether hopping between islands or navigating city streets, Greece offers a range of transportation options to suit the needs and budgets of different travelers.
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, which means that citizens of most countries can travel to Greece without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Greece:
Citizens of all other countries need to obtain a visa to visit Greece.
You can apply for a Greek tourist visa at the Greek embassy or consulate in your home country. The visa application process can vary depending on the country where you are applying, but there are some general requirements that all applicants must meet, such as having a valid passport, proof of onward travel, and proof of financial means.