Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated. Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk. Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling.
How Is Plantar Fasciitis Evaluated?
Keep a pain diary of your symptoms to show your physician. Write down:
- The day, time and duration of pain
- Pain location
- Pain intensity, rating it from one to ten, with ten being excruciating
- What you were doing before or during the pain onset?
- Was there an injury?
- How far can you walk without discomfort? Does the pain change for better or worse as you continue to walk?
- Physical activities that you participate in. (Have you started something new?)
- Medications you take regularly
Your physician will conduct a physical exam to rule out tendonitis, bursitis or arthritis. Your physician may also order X-rays or an MRI to rule out a fracture or bone spur.
How Is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?
Self Care
- Stretch your foot and calf muscles first thing in the morning and before activity
- Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Lose weight
- Buy supportive shoes and don't wear high heels. Look for shoes with shock-absorbing heels
- Ice your heel for 20 minutes and rest a few times a day
- Switch from high impact exercise to low or no impact
- Wear arch supports
Nonsurgical Treatment
Surgery
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is rarely necessary. When nonsurgical options fail in severe cases, surgery may be necessary to detach the plantar fascia tissue from the heel.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).