Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, and yet much of the general population is unaware it even exists. This condition istriggered by irritation or inflammation of the band of tissue connecting your toes to your heels, the plantar fascia. Since this ligament stretches through the length of your feet, it can make every step painful. Plantar Fasciitis doesn’t happen overnight, as it often takes years of strain to even become noticeable. This podiatric problem can be made worse by running and jumping, as well as lower impact activities like walking and standing for long spans of time. Without treatment, you can experience chronic heel pain that can disrupt the way you walk and your knees, hips, and back.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis include pain in the heel or bottom of the foot. More specifically, pain commonly occurs upon doing the following:
- Waking up, within the first few steps
- Standing for a long period of time
- Running or other repetitive, high-impact exercise
- Rising from a sitting position
Causes:
There are multiple factors that can be causing your plantar fasciitis. Extra weight caused from pregnancy or an unhealthy lifestyle can cause extra stress on your feet and result in heel pain. Age also plays a role in plantar fasciitis, as the most common age group of people affected is 40 to 60. Another cause of Plantar Fasciitis is a high level of physical activity, particularly while on your feet. Athletes who run on different terrains, high inclines, and who run without properly warming up can be at risk for heel pain.
Prevention:
While Plantar Fasciitis is becoming increasingly common, it is possible to prevent it. Managing your weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle helps keep extra tension off your heels. Athletic persons are encouraged to diversify their routine In addition, you can ward off the accompanying pains by simply taking proper care of your feet. It is recommended that footwear with structural support be worn as much as possible, so don’t invest only in fortified sneakers; there are plenty of indoor slippers, high heels and sandals that include arch support that will relieve symptoms.
Treatment:
When you begin to treat your plantar fasciitis, the doctor might suggest that you take an over-the-counter pain killer. This may be enough to ease your pain if you are only experiencing mild symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend icing and stretching if the pain persists.You may also be advised to upgrade your footwear with orthotic insoles.
In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend you wear a boot cast for about 5-6 weeks or until your symptoms subside. Additionally, wearing a night splint can help speed up this process. As a last resort to treat your plantar fasciitis, more serious measures can be taken. Steroidal shots temporarily reduce the pain until you can have surgery to detach your plantar fascia from your heel. Most patients experience results from other treatment procedures, but if you continue to experience chronic heel pain, these more invasive treatments are available.
Conclusion:
Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain that ranges from mild discomfort to chronic pain. It can be caused by weight, age, or high physical activity. Symptoms include heel pain that is triggered by an array of factors such as standing for too long, high-impact exercise, or standing after a long period of sitting. Preventative measures can be taken to keep your feet healthy and free from pain. Plantar fasciitis can be easily treated, but patients will experience the best results from handling earlier rather than later. Consult your doctor if you suspect you may have this condition so a plan of action can be set to prevent the worsening of your condition.
Comments are closed.