Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects millions of people each year. It causes heel pain and inflammation, making it difficult to walk or stand for long periods. While plantar fasciitis can be a frustrating condition, it is treatable with the right approach.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel bone to your toes. It acts like a ligament, supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock as you walk. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or irritated. This inflammation can cause microtears in the fascia, leading to pain and tenderness.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
There are several factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis, including:
- Repetitive stress: Activities that put a lot of stress on your heels, such as running, jumping, or dancing, can irritate the plantar fascia.
- Improper footwear: Shoes that don’t provide enough arch support or have worn-out soles can contribute to plantar fasciitis.
- Obesity: Extra weight puts extra strain on your plantar fascia.
- Tight calf muscles: Tight calf muscles can pull on the plantar fascia and contribute to inflammation.
- Age: Plantar fasciitis is more common in middle-aged people.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. This pain is often worse in the morning when you take your first steps after getting out of bed. The pain may also worsen after standing or walking for long periods. Other symptoms of plantar fasciitis may include:
- Stiffness in the heel, especially in the morning
- Pain that improves with activity but worsens later in the day.
- A burning sensation in the heel
Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis
The good news is that plantar fasciitis is a treatable condition. In most cases, it can be effectively managed with simple treatments, such as:
- Rest: Reducing activities that aggravate your heel pain can allow the plantar fascia to heal.
- Ice: Applying ice to your heel for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, can help reduce inflammation.
- Stretching: Stretching your calf muscles and plantar fascia can help improve flexibility and reduce pain.
- Strengthening exercises: Strengthening the muscles in your foot and ankle can help support the plantar fascia and improve stability.
- Orthotic inserts: Orthotics can help to distribute weight more evenly across your foot and reduce stress on the plantar fascia.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
When to Consider Advanced Treatments
If the simple treatments don’t provide relief after several months, your doctor may recommend other options, such as:
- PRP injections: These Injections use a patient’s blood to create a concentrated solution of platelets for therapy. Platelets with growth factors can help heal damaged tissues and may be a viable treatment for severe plantar fasciitis.
- Night splints: Wearing a night splint can help to keep your foot flexed while you sleep, which can stretch the plantar fascia and reduce pain.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you specific stretches and exercises to help improve flexibility, strength, and stability in your foot and ankle.
- Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate healing in the plantar fascia.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to repair a tear in the plantar fascia.
Apex Foot and Ankle Surgery Can Help
At Apex Foot and Ankle Surgery, Dr. Ryan M. Sherick can diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis. He offers a variety of treatment options to help you get back on your feet and feel your best. If you are experiencing heel pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Sherick or contact Apex Foot and Ankle Institute today.
Additional Tips for Preventing Plantar Fasciitis
In addition to the treatment options listed above, there are a few things you can do to help prevent plantar fasciitis from developing in the first place:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Wear shoes that fit well and provide good arch support.
- Warm up before exercise and cool down afterward
- Stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia regularly.
By following these tips and seeking treatment if you experience heel pain, you can keep plantar fasciitis from interfering with your active lifestyle.