If you feel pain in the lower part of your heel, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. It is quite a common disorder that affects around 20 million people each year and causes visits to the hospital and high expenditures. Plantar fasciitis is responsible for 10% of injuries occurred due to running and accounts for 15% of all issues related to feet that require professional medical treatment.
Patients affected by plantar fasciitis feel pain with every step they take which might increase after sitting for a long time. Pain develops in the heel area of the foot and can also spread to other parts of the leg. It is possible to treat plantar fasciitis with some home remedies though some causes may need you to undergo surgery.
Today we will give you an in-depth understanding of plantar fasciitis and reveal some of the ways you can treat the pain to make your feet healthy and soft. Obviously, what can be better than having beautiful feet so that you can click attractive feet pics, Right?
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the pain that you feel in your plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the thick and fibrous ligament that runs through the heel of your feet and connects the heel bones to your toes. The plantar fascia occupies the arch of your feet and helps in absorbing shocks and supports the overall structure of the feet.
Any injury to the plantar fascia and the resulting pain is known as plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia comes under pressure due to walking, exercising, and other factors and can develop inflammation which results in pain.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, Asian young woman holding her feet and massaging with her hand suffering from tendon inflammation, Source: Depositphotos
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are related to pain at different levels. The pain of plantar fasciitis is felt around the feet, especially around the heel region. Generally, the first few steps you take after waking up in the morning are the most painful. The pain slowly recedes as you continue with your activities. Pain may also go up when you stand up after sitting for a long time.
You can also experience heightened levels of pain when exercising or running or when you have been standing for a long time. The pain may radiate from the heel area and spread to other parts of your legs such as the sides of your feet, toes, and even the back of your thighs.
The plantar fascia gets inflamed when you develop plantar fasciitis. As a result, you’re the area over your heel may get swollen and appear red. People also feel itchiness around the heel of their feet when they have plantar fasciitis. You may also feel a tingling sensation and stabbing thrusts of pain as you take your steps.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Different factors can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis. At its core level, plantar fasciitis is an injury caused to the plantar fascia which results in inflammation of the ligament and causes pain. Let’s explore some of the common causes of plantar fasciitis.
Some people especially athletes are at more risk of developing plantar fasciitis due to the strenuous activity they undertake. If you spend most of the day being active on your feet, you may develop plantar fasciitis. Teachers, restaurant waiters, and factory workers are more prone to pain due to plantar fasciitis. Sportsmen like long-distance runners can injure their plantar fascia due to the extra pressure and strain on the ligament which leads to plantar fasciitis.
People who are obese and overweight are also more prone to suffer from plantar fasciitis. The extra body weight exerts increased pressure on the plantar fascia ligaments which strain and develop inflammation or tear. People who suddenly go through a weight-gaining phase also suffer from plantar fasciitis.
Women are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis than men. During pregnancy, women may feel the onset of plantar fasciitis which can heighten during late pregnancy. Men and women between the ages of 40 to 70 years who lead an active also more prone to suffer from plantar fasciitis.
People who have deformed feet or other feet issues are at more risk of developing plantar fasciitis. If you have a high arch or suffer from flat foot then you have a chance of getting plantar fasciitis. The disorder may also be caused by stiff Achilles tendons which connect the calf muscles to your heels.
Plantar fasciitis can even occur due to improper style of walking. Sometimes ill-fitting shoes which have poor arch support or soft soles can lead to plantar fasciitis. Understanding the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis is really important when it comes to treating plantar fasciitis. Unless you know what is causing the injury you cannot take steps toward a remedy.
If you are unable to understand the cause of your pain you should consult with your doctor. Otherwise untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to major complications.
Plantar Fasciitis Complications
Plantar fasciitis can develop into a chronic condition and lead to other health problems if you leave it untreated. The condition can cause further injury to different parts of your leg such as hips and knees. The pain can even travel upwards and cause back and lower back pain.
You can rupture your plantar fascia ligament or weaken it with the use of steroids. Surgery sometimes can cause infections, bleeding, and unwanted reactions to anesthesia. You may also suffer from nerve and foot damage by surgically detaching the plantar fascia. Nerve damage may also occur from gastrocnemius recession surgery.
Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis
You may need to visit a doctor to diagnose your plantar fasciitis. The physician will conduct a physical examination to determine that the pain is not caused by any other issue. He will specifically check for the tenderness of your feet and the exact location of your pain. You may be asked to flex and contract your foot while they apply pressure to the plantar fascia to check the condition of the pain. The doctor will also look out for signs of swelling and redness that occur with plantar fasciitis.
The doctor can also check the condition of your muscles and nerves by evaluating your muscle tone, reflexes, coordination, feel of sight and touch, balance, and so on. The doctor may also advise an MRI or X-ray to determine the cause of the pain you are going through.
The diagnosis will enable the doctor to devise a fitting treatment plan which may or may not include clinical visits.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
You may be able to treat your plantar fasciitis using home remedies. Some conditions will require medical attention and even surgeries to correct deformed feet.
Low section of female therapist assisting the patient to use foot roller for plantar fasciitis and pain relief in hospital, Source: Depositphotos
Home Treatment
The best thing to do for plantar fasciitis is to stay off your feet and get enough rest. The pain will start to wear off gradually with rest. You can also try out some exercise rehabilitation programs which will help to reduce the pain and injury. Don’t overdo the exercise and keep them comfortable on your feet so that you don’t add up extra strain to your ligaments.
The RICE Treatment
The RICE formula of treatment refers to rest, the application of an ice pack, compression, and elevation. You should provide ample rest to your feet so that your plantar fascia tissue can heal and become normal. It also takes time for the inflammation to go away and the pain to reduce.
Apply an ice pack over your heels and feet 3 to 4 times each day to reduce the swelling. Apply the packs for 15 to 20 minutes per session. You can also apply compression to your feet which will help you get relief from the pain.
Another technique is to elevate your feet and keep them in that position for some time. You can put your legs over a pillow or high installation and lay resting with your feet elevated.
Medicines
The plantar fascia tissue becomes inflamed during plantar fasciitis. You may take the help of over-the-counter painkillers and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). NSAIDs help reduce inflammation and the symptoms related to plantar fasciitis.
If you have higher levels of pain you may need something stronger like aspirin or ibuprofen. You may need to get a prescription from the doctor for the medications. Your pain generally starts to reduce after the medicines are taken and you take enough rest.
Medical Treatments
If your pain doesn’t go away with RICE packs, home treatment, or medication, you might need to avail professional medical help.
Your doctor may suggest a corticosteroid injection which has to be applied directly over the injured plantar fascia ligament. The procedure can be conducted in one sitting at the doctor’s clinic. The physician may also take the help of ultrasound equipment to determine where the injection needs to be applied. The corticosteroids can also be applied directly on the skin over your heels or along the arch of your feet. A painless and non-invasive electrical current may also be applied by the doctor so that the steroids can pass through the skin and reach the injured ligament.
Your doctor may also advise physical therapy to treat your plantar fasciitis. The therapy sessions will include stretching and strengthening your Achilles tendons and plantar fascia. You may need to work with a physical therapist who can help you with exercises to strengthen the muscles of your leg and feet. The rehabilitation will also help you reduce the pressure on your plantar fascia and to stabilize your walking.
You may also be suggested an extracorporeal shock wave therapy if all other methods fail to work. Sound waves are applied to your injured heel which stimulates a healing process. But the technique can come with some side effects such as swelling, pain, and numbness.
Surgery is the ultimate treatment which is applied as the last resort in case of plantar fasciitis. If the pain fails to go away even after all methods, the doctor may go for surgery. In one surgical method, the plantar fascia is partially detached from the heel bone to lessen pain. But it weakens the structure of your feet and you may lose full functioning of your feet. The surgeon may also suggest gastrocnemius recession which involves lengthening the calf muscles. You may also need surgery to correct foot deformities that may be causing plantar fasciitis.
Supports and Braces
You can also get benefits from using plantar fasciitis night splints to get relief from pain and swelling. The plantar fasciitis night splints are meant to stretch the arch of your feet and your calf. They keep your feet in a fixed position and are a type of braces that lengthen the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia during your night sleep.
You may also be able to get some relief with special orthotics like arch supports and plantar fasciitis inserts like insoles and socks. A boot cast can be of great help to stabilize your feet and heal your plantar fascia tissue without causing further damage to it. The accessories help to distribute the pressure ideally across your feet and facilitate the healing of plantar fascia.
One of the simplest and best ways to heal your injured ligament and stabilize your feet is by using plantar fasciitis socks. They come in a variety of sizes and fit all sizes of feet conveniently. The plantar fasciitis socks also provide strong compression to your heels and the arch of your feet helping you to get relief from pain. The socks are also ideal for reducing swelling and facilitating the healing process. You can give strong support to your arch and plantar fascia by wearing the socks all day long. Plantar fasciitis socks can also be used in the RICE technique where you need to apply compression to your feet.
Conclusion
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common types of inflammation that millions of people suffer from. Some professions which require you to be on your feet all day long can have greater risks of developing the disorder. Sportsmen and athletes also commonly suffer from plantar fasciitis.
It is a curable disorder that can be tackled at home unless you have serious pain. Exercise, rest, and applying ice packs a few times a day will take care of the pain and swelling. If your symptoms persist, you may need to get medical attention.
Orthotic braces and supports go a long way to facilitate the healing process and provide optimum support to the arch of your feet and plantar fascia. You can take the help of plantar fasciitis socks which are a great way to alleviate the symptoms and help you get relief from the pain.
You should consult and doctor if your pain is too serious and doesn’t go away with medication and home remedies.
Last Updated on by Sathi
