What is plantar fasciitis and how can you treat it?

What is plantar fasciitis?

A plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the ligament that connects your heel to your toes and supports your foot arch, becomes inflamed.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The symptoms of plantar fasciitis aren't visible, but they are certainly felt. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The arch of the foot can also cause pain for some people.

What does plantar fasciitis feel like?

Plantar fasciitis affects everyone differently. However, plantar fasciitis pain is often described as:

• Pain in your heel that ranges from dull to sharp and stabbing

• Your heel and bottom of your foot are aching or burning

• You might experience pain and stiffness when getting up in the morning, or when you've been sitting or lying down for a while

• If you spend most of your day standing or walking, your pain may become more intense as the day progresses

You're more likely to experience pain above your heel or back of your ankle if you have an injury or Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar fasciitis causes

How do you get plantar fasciitis? Strains to the plantar fascia ligament cause plantar fasciitis. Eventually, this strain weakens, swells, and inflames the ligaments, causing heel and arch pain. Ligaments can also be torn by repeated strain.

What causes that ligament strain? There are several causes of plantar fasciitis, including repetitive motion or anything that places a lot of pressure on the arch of your foot.

As a result, activities like running, jogging and walking, as well as prolonged standing can often lead to plantar fasciitis.

How do you get plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can affect anyone, but some people are more prone to it than others:

• You’re overweight

• Your age is between 40 and 60

• Pregnant

• You're a runner - one in ten runners gets plantar fasciitis

• Spend a lot of time on your feet, especially on hard surfaces

• When you walk, you walk on the inside of your foot

• If you have high arches, flat feet, or tight Achilles tendons

• Shoes that don't fit well, are worn out, or do not support the arch

How to diagnose plantar fasciitis?

Podiatrists, who specialize in foot and ankle conditions, can diagnose plantar fasciitis.

A podiatrist will examine your foot physically and ask you to stand and walk around to confirm a diagnosis.

Plantar fasciitis is often not a bone injury, so X-rays aren't necessary. Your podiatrist may recommend one if they suspect you have a stress fracture, plantar bone spur, or another problem based on your symptoms.

How is plantar fasciitis treated?

Fortunately, there are effective at-home treatments for plantar fasciitis and simple exercises that can relieve pain. Rest is the first step in treatment.

Keeping your feet lighter will help your ligaments heal, since plantar fasciitis is caused by repetitive motion and pressure. That could mean cutting back on or modifying activities that hurt your feet.

Plantar fasciitis can also be treated by wearing more supportive footwear, compression foot sleeves, compression socks and orthotics such as ankle brace, not walking around barefoot, wearing night splints, undergoing hot and cold therapy, and performing targeted exercises.

When you've been using home remedies consistently for a couple of months, and your pain doesn't improve or worsen, a podiatrist may recommend cortisone injections. In more serious cases, surgery may be an option if conservative treatments have lost their effectiveness.

How long does plantar fasciitis last?

Plantar fasciitis typically heals within three to twelve months. It depends on how consistently you use at-home treatments and how much activity you do.

Don't wait to seek care if you are not feeling relief. Consult a podiatrist. The doctor can also suggest additional treatments or techniques that can speed up your recovery if other injuries are suspected.

Contact a podiatrist to heal your heel even faster

In order to treat plantar fasciitis, refrain from doing too much on your feet, wear supportive shoes inside and outside, and stay consistent with your care routine. In this way, things will be able to heal on their own.

You should see a podiatrist if the pain doesn't improve or worsen, or if you're concerned about another injury. We have a wide selection of health care products to meet your needs. If you have any questions, our customer service representatives are happy to assist you.