Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament that
connects the heel to the base of the toes. Plantar
fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia becomes too
inflamed. The plantar fascia is the thin layer of tissue
which supports the arch-like area seen below the foot.
The pain becomes evident during day time. This is because
the fascia or the tissue contracts overnight while you
sleep. Although there may be times when you won't feel any
pain, it is only a temporary thing. Once you stand up for
long periods or you get up from a long time of sitting
down, the pain may strike once more.
There are several factors which can cause plantar fasciitis
and these are as follows:
1) Overdoing strenuous physical activities
2) Moving heavy objects
3) Arthritis
4) Diabetes
5) Abnormal foot mobility
6) Poor quality of footwear
Plantar fasciitis can affect both feet, but it usually
happens on just one foot. The illness also develops
gradually and only becomes evident once unbearable heel
pain is felt. However, this illness definitely has several
symptoms, which you should take a tab on so that you can
prevent it from becoming a major medical condition. These
are the following symptoms associated with this illness:
1) A stabbed-like feeling on the bottom of your foot
2) A progressive heel pain experienced as soon as you wake
up and walk to go about your early morning activities or
even after doing exercise
3) Heel pain experienced after standing for a long period
of time or when getting up from sitting down for over a time
4) Some swelling observed in the middle part of your heel
Once you experience these symptoms, it would be wise to
note how often they occur and then proceed to consult your
doctor.
As you seek medical attention, your doctor will first
verify all the symptoms, which you may have experienced.
The doctor will also note some tender points found on your
foot. This is necessary so that other factors causing heel
pain can be ruled out. Apart from physical examination,
your doctor may also schedule you for a foot X-ray or even
MRI so stress fracture can be seen if ever you also have it.
Treating plantar fasciitis is actually quite simple. All it
takes is proper discipline and close monitoring of
treatment regimen issued by the doctor.
For self-care treatments, here are the usual recommended
procedures:
Night splint: This is usually done by enclosing your foot
up to your calf within a splint as you sleep. The purpose
of this is to hold your foot tissues as well as your
Achilles tendon so that it can be stretched overnight.
Orthotics: This is an arch support, which works by
distributing the pressure absorbed by your feet evenly on
all areas.
Physical therapy: Rehabilitative exercises can strengthen
your leg muscles and help make your heel and ankle more
stabilized to absorb pressure.
However, in the event that your plantar fasciitis is
diagnosed as severe, here are other medical approaches,
which you may undergo to alleviate pain and treat the foot
area.
Corticosteroids: Your doctor will suggest this medication
if all other forms of treatment are not effective. This
works by injecting a couple doses within your fascia area
to alleviate pain. At times, iontophoresis can also be
conducted instead of injecting corticosteroids. By this
procedure, the medicine gets to be distributed within the
fascia area by means of electric current gently induced to
relieve pain.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: This method uses sound
waves as a means of stimulating the healing process of the
affected area. If the plantar fasciitis has been diagnosed
as a chronic illness, this is the treatment method being
adopted.
Surgery: When one undergoes surgery for planta fasciitis,
the plantar fascia is removed from the heel bone. This is
the final option and is only turned to when other methods
can no longer take away the heel pain and the condition
becomes too severe to handle.
----------------------------------------------------
Allan Tan is the creator of http://talk.foot-care.org/ . He
created this foot health forum to allow members of the
public to ask podiatrists on foot related questions for
free. The idea of this helpful website to help people
understand more about their foot conditions and pain.
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