Plantar fasciitis is characterized by swelling and irritation of the thick tissue that lies at the bottom of your feet called the plantar fascia. It is an inflammatory condition that often causes severe heel pain and in some people, heel spurs. In this article we discuss the symptoms, causes, treatment and related issues to enable you to deal with plantar fasciitis.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis
When the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it is quite painful, making walking difficult, especially your first few steps in the morning. A typical cause for plantar fasciitis pain is over-pronation of the feet, which causes collapsed foot arches, and as a result, biomechanical misalignment. There are several factors that worsen the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, among them inactivity, obesity, excessively long walks, or long periods standing on hard surfaces. Very worn shoes with insufficient arch support can also be a factor.

Plantar Fasciitis: Common Symptoms
The onset of this problem is often associated with foot pain at the bottom of your heel. This may be acute in the morning, but it often improves gradually over the course of the day. Towards the evening, a dull ache replaces the pain, which may subside with adequate rest. The typical physical symptoms can include a mild swelling in the affected region, tenderness and redness at the bottom of the heel.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
The treatment for plantar fasciitis pain can often require a few months, or sometimes, even a few years. On average, treatment time spans approximately 9 months. Common treatment approaches include stretching exercises, medication to reduce inflammation, and orthotic shoe inserts.

In simple cases, arch support provided by off-the-shelf orthotic insoles can provide needed relief. In severe cases, a podiatrist should be consulted to identify appropriate insoles or arch support to relieve plantar fasciitis. In certain cases, a short cast up to the knee is advised. Some physicians recommend steroid injections, however we need to point out that these shots are extremely painful, and not everyone would opt to go this route. Extreme cases of plantar fasciitis require surgical procedures in order to provide long-term relief.

How to Deal With Plantar Fasciitis
The footwear we use is often a contributing factor for the onset of plantar fasciitis pain. Our shoes need to provide adequate arch support, particularly when the wearer has flat feet. There are also orthotic insoles available in the market, some of which are standard off-the-shelf, while others are custom-made and are created under a podiatrist’s supervision. It’s possible to prevent common forms of foot pain by keeping the ankle region flexible, in particular the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. Regular foot and ankle exercises are recommended for best results.

Filed under: Health and Fitness

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