Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia — a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. The plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus) and to the base of the toes. It helps support the arch of the foot and has an important role in normal foot mechanics during walking.
Tension or stress in the plantar fascia increases when you place weight on the foot, such as withstanding. The tension also increases when you push off on the ball of the foot and toes. Both of these motions occur during normal walking or running. With overuse or in time, the fascia loses some of its elasticity or resilience and can become irritated with routine daily activities.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Inflammation and pain in the fascia can be caused by:
An increase in activity level (like starting a walking or running program)
The structure or shape of the foot
The surface on which you are standing, walking or running
The type of shoes you are wearing
The weight you carry
Less commonly, plantar fasciitis may develop due to other medical conditions, such aslupusorrheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The pain of plantar fasciitis usually increases gradually and is typically felt near the heel. Sometimes the pain can be sudden, occurring after missing a step or jumping from a height. The pain tends to be the worst when you get up in the morning or after other periods of inactivity. That’s why it is known as first-step pain. The degree of discomfort can sometimes lessen with activity during the day or after warming up but it can become worse after prolonged or vigorous activity. The pain may also appear more intense in bare feet or in shoes with minimal support.
Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis
Plantar fasciitis is one of many conditions causing heel pain. Some other possible causes include:
Nerve compression in the foot or in the back
Stress fracture of the calcaneus
Loss of the fatty tissue pad under the heel
Plantar fasciitis can be distinguished from these and other conditions based on medical history and examination by a physician.
Heel spurs are often wrongly thought to be the sole cause of heel pain. Although they are common, they are nothing more than the bone's response to traction or pulling forces from the plantar fascia and other foot muscles. Heel spurs often don’t cause any pain. A truly enlarged and problematic spur requiring surgery is rare.
In general, the longer the symptoms have been present and the more severe the pain, the longer the treatment may take. Additionally, high-demand athletes, such as cross-country or marathon runners, may require a longer course of treatment.
Plantar fasciitis treatment options include:
Stretching and Physical Therapy
Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day. Along with stretching, the exercises can also strengthen your lower leg muscles, helping stabilize your ankle.
Icing and Medication
Icing the sore spot on your sole several times a day may help with pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Rest, Activity Modification and Orthotics
It helps to keep the weight and stress off your foot, at least partially, while your plantar fascia is healing. Your doctor may recommend a combination of the following:
Changing to a more shock-absorbing exercise surface
Switching to shoes with arch support or trying heel cups or other orthotics to cushion the heel
Applying athletic tape to your foot to support muscles and ligaments
Wearing night splints to continue stretching your foot while you sleep
Decreasing distances and duration of walking or running
Switching from jumping or running to swimming or cycling
Shock Wave Therapy
This therapy is based on delivering low-energy or high-energy shock waves to a specific area. The shock waves create microscopic trauma, which triggers a healing response from the body. This process is thought to help promote healing in the plantar fascia.
Steroid Injections
In most cases, plantar fasciitis improves after a few months of stretching. If your symptoms continue after two months of treatment, your doctor may recommend steroid injections to decrease inflammation.
Gastrocnemius Recession
Surgery is rarely needed for plantar fasciitis but is an option in severe cases. The surgery for plantar fasciitis is called gastrocnemius recession or gastrocnemius release. The goal is to lengthen the gastroc tendon, which is a part of the Achilles tendon. There is a known connection between the tension in the Achilles tendon and the tension in plantar fascia. This surgery may be recommended for patients who have an equinus contracture — tightness in the calf muscles and tendons that leads to the inability to hold a foot in a neutral position (a 90-degree angle to the leg).
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia
plantar fascia
The plantar fascia or plantar aponeurosis is the thick connective tissue aponeurosis which supports the arch on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Recent studies suggest that the plantar fascia is actually an aponeurosis rather than true fascia.
, tissue in the foot used during walking and foot movement. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a number of factors, including type of shoes, foot structure, overuse and types of walking surfaces. The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis can go away on its own, but it can take more than a year for the pain to subside. Without treatment, complications can occur. It's better to see your doctor and start non-surgical treatments right away.
Eating too much sugar: When your blood sugar levels are high, your body releases molecules that can trigger inflammation and make heel pain worse. Standing for long periods: Spending too much time standing — especially if you're standing on a hard surface or in one position — makes the effects of plantar fasciitis ...
Rolling the bottom of your foot on a plastic ball covered in soft spikes is an easy form of massage your doctor may recommend. A 10- to 14-day course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory inhibitors such as naproxen or ibuprofen can also help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Rolling a ball, water bottle or foam roller under the arch of your foot can relieve plantar fasciitis pain. Using a frozen water bottle is an especially great option because it provides ice therapy while you stretch your foot.
In fact, walking may actually inflame the plantar fascia more, leading to an extension of your treatment. While it's not walking alone that could further inflame the ligament, if you're not wearing the right shoes or are exerting yourself too much, the plantar fasciitis can flare up.
Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. Stretching should be focused on the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises that you can repeat at home several times a day.
The short answer is yes. For many people, barefoot is probably the best footwear for plantar fasciitis. Strengthening foot muscles is one effective way to prevent plantar fasciitis.
Applying essential oils to the soles of your feet - especially the heel area - is a popular home remedy for plantar fasciitis, and there is a range of oils with anti-inflammatory properties to choose from, including lavender, rosemary, peppermint, frankincense and eucalyptus.
Why might plantar fasciitis become so bad that you can't walk? The reason why your feet might hurt so bad that you can't walk is because of inflammation in the plantar fascia. The pain can result from excessive weight and stress on the band.
Other methods a podiatrist may use to reduce pain and treat plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, night splints that gently stretch the plantar fascia, orthotics that correct can help distribute weight more evenly, steroids to reduce inflammation and pain, and shock wave therapy that initiates the body's healing ...
Drinking enough water ensures that your body systems are properly. Inadequate water intake can result in a decrease in the fluid that helps prevent overuse injuries. Although drinking enough water will not solve all your problems, it can help prevent reinjury and allow your fascia the environment it needs to heal.
Massage techniques, including rolling a ball under your foot or massaging your feet and calves, can be beneficial and provide you with much needed relief if pain is mild to moderate. Your podiatrist can talk with you about this. Try it out, but stop if you notice discomfort. Massage shouldn't feel painful.
If you're suffering from plantar fasciitis, one of the best ways to get relief is by stretching and strengthening the area giving you trouble. Loosening the plantar fascia can prevent it from tearing, strengthen the supporting muscles (thus helping to reduce stress on the ligament) and reduce inflammation.
Far from being a permanent or chronic condition, plantar fasciitis typically responds well to treatment. Most people recover completely with a few months of conservative treatment.
you do not treat your Plantar Fasciitis, permanent disability may even occur. Damage to the plantar fascia increases the effort of walking and weight bearing. As a consequence, you may unconsciously change your posture and the way you walk to minimize pain.
Plantar tears: When plantar fasciitis is left untreated, the plantar fascia can become inflamed and cause small micro tears. Many don't notice these small tears as they arise until the pain becomes gradually worse. If left untreated, these tears can grow in size and numbers, causing further complications.
If untreated, plantar fasciitis may result in permanent disability. Luckily, minor cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated at home. Icing the affected foot can help relieve the compression experienced in the heel and reduce pain and swelling; OTC medication can achieve the same effects.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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