What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by an inflamed ligament-like band in the foot. This band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, runs from the ball of your foot to your heel. Its purpose is to support your arch and absorb shock. When the plantar fascia becomes strained, pain can occur.
Plantar fasciitis usually causes pain in the heel or along the inside of your foot where your arch and heel meet. But pain can develop anywhere along the bottom of your foot where the plantar fascia is inflamed. You may also experience tenderness, stiffness, or soles that are swollen or warm to the touch. Plantar fasciitis pain is usually worse after you’ve been off your feet for extended periods of time, especially in the morning and can also lead to other foot problems, such as heel spurs and bursitis. It can be the worst with the first steps of the day or following a period of rest.Your risks of developing plantar fasciitis are higher when you’re active and between 40-70 years of age. Plantar fasciitis often develops because of strain or overuse. This type of stress causes small tears to form in the plantar fascia, leading to inflammation. Common causes of plantar fasciitis include:
- Being overweight
- Walking and running
- Foot structure or gait
- Playing sports with a lot of jumping
- Exercises that stress the feet
- Inadequate or poor-quality footwear
- Long hours of walking or standing on hard surfaces
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
After reviewing your symptoms, Total Podiatry diagnoses plantar fasciitis after physically examining your feet. We look for:
- Inflamed tendons
- Damaged ligaments
- Incorrect foot movement
- Displaced bones or joints
- Signs of redness or swelling
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Some of the more common variety of treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Ice to reduce inflammation and pain
- Foot taping to support the arch and control movement
- Custom-made orthotics to minimize strain on the plantar fascia
- Surgical treatments to release plantar fascia tension
Additional methods that can help ease plantar fasciitis pain include losing weight, avoiding running or walking on hard floors or uneven ground, and wearing shoes with arch support.
Total Podiatry wants to ease your pain so that you can return to your active lifestyle as quickly as possible. If you are suffering with this condition, Total Podiatry can help. In some cases, Total Podiatry may recommend X-rays to identify other potential issues that may cause similar symptoms such as heel spurs or a stress fracture in your heel bone. In any case, plantar fasciitis is definitely treatable and we can help you restore your foot health back to normal.