If you are an athlete who often feels pain on the heel upon walking or jumping, or if you have recently gained weight and have suddenly experienced pain upon getting out of the bed, then you must be having Plantar Fasciitis. This discomfort should be faced and learn what kind of Plantar Fasciitis Treatment is right for you.
The most common cause of heel pain is Plantar Fasciitis. It is a painful inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick ligamentous tissue which runs from the calcaneus, known as the heel bone, extending towards the toes. It is a strong and tight tissue which contributes to maintain the arch of the foot that loosens and contracts with every step.
Plantar Fascitiis occurs with the inflammation of Plantar Fascia, which develops when tears occur in this tissue due to overload of physical activity or exercise. The arching, stabbing or burning kind of localized pain usually felt on the heel is worse in the morning-after sleep because the fascia ligament tightens while sleeping at night. The pain returns as we put pressure on the foot even as early as getting out of the bed and would get worse as the day continues due to prolonged standing and walking. Another symptom is the difficulty upon dorsiflexion, or the bending the foot towards the shin.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis can be done at home. In many instances, invasive procedures and surgery are not necessary to stop the pain. Rest, physical therapy, cold or heat compress, and losing weight are effective in treating Plantar Fasciitis. The correct use of shoes is also necessary. Wearing high-heeled shoes and ill-fitting shoes do not provide support around the heel which can lead to Plantar Fasciitis if used continuously for a long period of time. You should also avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces. An orthotic device, like foot supports, placed in the shoes can reduce acute pain and promote healing related to Plantar Fasciitis.
Since the heel pain often occurs at night, night splints are advised to be worn during sleep. It prevents contraction of the arch of the foot by preventing the dorsiflexed position during sleep. This is also helpful to improve calf muscle flexibility. Relief usually occurs within three months. Exercises may provide up to 2-4 months relief of pain. Stretching the Plantar Fascia and Achilles tendon before getting out of the bed decreases pain early in the morning.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen are used to relieve pain and inflammation are just some of the over the counter medications prescribed. If oral over the counter medications do not provide relief of pain, local injection of corticosteroids can provide relief. Due to the pain upon administration of the corticosteroid injection, it has to be given with a local anesthetic. Although this can decrease the inflammation, doctors do not recommend these injections related to the possible complications like plantar fascia rupture or fat pad atrophy.
The last Plantar Fasciitis Treatment option is surgery for those who have chronic or severe Plantar Fasciitis. If patients have not experienced relief after at least a year of conservative treatment, surgery is discussed. Doctors may have to consider Plantar Fascia Release to loosen the plantar fascia or the removal of a portion of a heel spur. But due to the complications of these surgical procedures like nerve injury and infection, patients would have to be assessed if such surgery is possible; the patient should have at least 9 months of treatment, participates in physical therapy, and should have a complete understanding of the risks and benefits of this Plantar Fasciitis Treatment for them to qualify. Surgeons could only release 30-50% of the fascia, to prevent flat foot deformity related to loss of the arch of the foot.
Early treatment can prevent Plantar Fasciitis from becoming worse. If untreated, the acute pain can develop into a chronic problem. A change in gait is expected related to pain during walking. Thus, knee, hip and back pain may also develop.