Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition that particularly causes a great deal of pain in the heel area. Some patients have described the pain as stabbing and is typically felt in the morning, when first getting out of bed. You may also experience pain with this condition if you stand or sit for long periods of time throughout the day. The development of plantar fasciitis is quite common among runners, those who are overweight, and those who do not get enough support from their footwear.
When small tears occur on the fascia, it may become inflamed, especially if too much pressure is put on the tissue.It is very common to be painful directly at the heel bone where the plantar fascia inserts into the bone. It’s extremely important that you seek professional help as soon as you feel any type of foot pain. If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, there’s a high chance you may develop chronic heel plan and stress reactions of heel bone . You may also develop other issues connected with your foot, knee, hip, or back, all due to the body walking differently to relieve pain felt from plantar fasciitis.
For more information about plantar fasciitis, we recommend you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to discuss a treatment plan.
Condition:
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed-resulting in heel pain.
Symptoms:
- Pain on the bottom of the heel
- Pain that is usually worse upon arising
- Pain that increases over a period of months
People with plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.
Treatment:
Treatment of plantar fasciitis begins with first-line strategies, which you can begin at home:
- Stretching Exercises
- Ice
- Shoe Modifications
- Medications
- Padding and Strapping
- Orthotic Devices
- Injection Therapy
- Removable Walking Cast
- Class IV Laser
- Night Splint
- Physical Therapy
Although most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment, a small percentage of patients may require surgery. If, after several months of non-surgical treatment, you continue to have heel pain, surgery will be considered.
Prevention:
The most common cause of plantar fasciitis relates to faulty structure of the foot. Wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces puts abnormal strain on the plantar fascia and can also lead to plantar fasciitis. This is particularly evident when a person’s job requires long hours on their feet. Obesity also contributes to plantar fasciitis. If you are overweight, it is important to reach and maintain an ideal weight. For all patients, wearing supportive shoes and using custom orthotic devices is the mainstay of long-term treatment for plantar fasciitis.
