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One of the most common reasons of heel discomfort is plantar fasciitis. It is characterized by inflammation of a broad band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes (plantar fascia).
Plantar fasciitis frequently creates stabbing discomfort with your first steps in the morning. The discomfort usually subsides as you get up and move, but it may return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.
The cause of plantar fasciitis is unknown. It is more common in runners and overweight people.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by a sharp pain in the bottom of the foot around the heel. The discomfort is normally worse in the first few steps after awakening, but it can also be provoked by long durations of standing or rising from a sitting position.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
The plantar fascia is a fascia (band of tissue) that links your heel bone to the base of your toes. When walking, it supports the arch of the foot and absorbs trauma.
Small tears in the fascia can be caused by tension and stress. Repeated stretching and tearing of the fascia can irritate or inflame it, yet the etiology of plantar fasciitis in many cases remains unknown.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Even while plantar fasciitis can develop without a clear cause, certain variables can increase your chances of having it. They are as follows:
- Age: Plantar fasciitis is most common among adults aged 40 to 60.
- Certain sorts of exercise: Activities that put a lot of strain on your heel and surrounding tissue, such as long-distance running, ballet dancing, and aerobic dance, can all contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis.
- Foot mechanics: Flat feet, a high arch, or even an unusual walking pattern can all impact how weight is distributed while standing, putting additional strain on the plantar fascia.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts additional strain on your plantar fascia.
- Jobs that keep you on your feet: Plantar fasciitis is more common in factory workers, teachers, and others who spend the majority of their working hours walking or standing on hard surfaces.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Ignoring plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic heel pain that interferes with your daily activities. To avoid plantar fasciitis pain, you're likely to alter your walking style, which could lead to foot, knee, hip, or back problems.
HOW IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS DIAGNOSED?
The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is based on your medical history and physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will look for areas of soreness in your foot. The location of your pain can assist you figure out what's causing it.
Imaging tests
Typically, no tests are required. Your doctor may recommend an X-ray or an MRI to ensure that another problem, such as a stress fracture, is not causing your pain.
An X-ray may reveal a portion of bone protruding (spur) from the heel bone. Previously, these bone spurs were frequently blamed for heel discomfort and surgically removed. However, many persons with bone spurs on their heels do not have heel pain.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Most persons with plantar fasciitis heal in several months with conservative treatment such as icing the painful area, stretching, and changing or avoiding unpleasant activities.
Medications
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are pain medications that can help with the discomfort and inflammation of plantar fasciitis.
Therapies
Symptoms may be relieved by physical therapy or the use of specific gadgets.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can demonstrate exercises for stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon as well as strengthening the lower leg muscles. A therapist may also show you how to use athletic tape to support the bottom of your foot.
- Night splints: To facilitate stretching while you sleep, your physical therapist or health care provider may advise you to wear a splint that holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened posture overnight.
- Orthotics: Your doctor may recommend off-the-shelf or custom-fitted arch supports (orthotics) to help distribute pressure more evenly on your feet.
- Canes, crutches, or walking boots: Your doctor may advise you to use one of them for a short time to prevent you from shifting your foot or from putting all of your weight on it.
Surgical or non-surgical techniques
If more conservative therapies don't work after a few months, your doctor may suggest:
- Injections: Temporary pain relief might be obtained by injecting steroid medicine into the painful area. Multiple shots are not advised since they can weaken and possibly rupture your plantar fascia. To stimulate tissue healing, platelet-rich plasma derived from your own blood can be injected into the painful area. During injections, ultrasound imaging can help with precise needle placement.
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: To promote healing, sound waves are aimed at the location of heel discomfort. This is for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who have not responded to more conservative therapies. Although some trials suggest encouraging effects, this therapy has not been proven to be consistently successful.
- Ultrasonic tissue repair: This minimally invasive device guides a needlelike probe into the injured plantar fascia tissue using ultrasound imaging. The probe tip then rapidly vibrates to break up the injured tissue, which is subsequently suctioned out.
- Surgery: Surgery is rarely required to separate the plantar fascia from the heel bone. It is often used only when other therapies have failed and the pain is severe. It can be performed openly or with a tiny incision with local anesthetic.
HOME REMEDIES FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Try the following self-care tips to alleviate plantar fasciitis pain:
- Keep a healthy weight: Extra weight might place additional strain on your plantar fascia.
- Choose supportive footwear: Purchase footwear with a low to moderate heel, thick soles, decent arch support, and additional cushioning. Wear no flats or walk barefoot.
- Wearing worn-out athletic shoes is not advised: Replace your worn-out sporting shoes before they no longer support and cushion your feet.
- Change your sport: Instead of walking or running, choose a low-impact sport like swimming or bicycling.
- Use ice: To assist relieve pain and inflammation, place a cloth-covered ice pack over the region of pain for 15 minutes three or four times each day. Alternatively, for an ice massage, roll a frozen bottle of water beneath your foot.
- Stretch your arches: Stretch your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles with simple home exercises.