What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot problem that can cause severe pain and discomfort. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed or damaged. While it can be a frustrating condition to deal with, there are several treatment options available.
The condition is usually observed in runners, overweight individuals, and people who wear shoes with insufficient support. Age (most commonly between 40 and 60 years), certain types of exercise, foot mechanics (flat feet, high arches, or abnormal walking patterns), and occupations that require standing for extended periods can all raise the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Major Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
- Postural Abnormailities of the Feet, such as Low Arch (pronated) or High Arch Feet (Supinated)
- Tight muscles - This can be Pre-existing or a Compensation for the Low Arch or High Arch Feet
- Poor shoe gear or having a habit of walking barefoot
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Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Tight muscles in the lower extremity, especially the postural muscles such as the calf and hamstring
Rarely is swelling or discoloration seen in the heel or arch area. There is tenderness along the arch ligament or directly on the bottom or inside of the heel
Pain first thing in the morning when getting out of bed and putting the foot down to the floor. However, with weight bearing the pain diminishes
Pain after sitting for a prolonged period of time and getting up to walk or getting out of a car and starting to walk
Occasional burning, numbness, shooting or tingling into the heel
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
- Proper shoe gear to support the arch and heel
- Taping the foot to support it and give immediate relief
- Custom molded prescription orthotic (shoe insert) to permanently support the foot and prevent recurrence of the problem
- Frequent stretching of the calf and hamstring muscles to improve overall flexibility
- Splinting the foot at night to stretch the muscle in the back of the leg
- Injectible anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the inflammation
- Physical Therapy Anti-Inflammatory Modalities to reduce the inflammation
- Occasionally immobilization of the foot in a CAM walker or walking cast to completely rest the foot
- Oral anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the inflammation
In the vast majority of cases (98%), the condition is successfully treated with conservative measures. In the minority of cases that do not respond completely with conservative measures, there are modern minimally-invasive surgical procedures to address the condition.
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