What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis involves pain in the plantar fascia, a band of tissue extending from your heel to your toe, supporting the arch of your foot. If this tissue is irritated or overused, it causes inflammation of the plantar fascia.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel, particularly the bottom surface of the foot that connects the heel to the toes. Common symptoms include pain that may:
- Spread into the foot’s arch
- Be more severe when getting out of bed in the morning
- Be worse after a rest period
- Subside after a few minutes of exercise
- Return after prolonged exercise
- Make walking extremely uncomfortable
The pain may also be accompanied by swelling in the heel and arch.
Why would I get plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by putting too much strain on the plantar fascia tissues, which can occur because of:
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Wearing unsupportive shoes
- Walking on hard surfaces without adequate foot support
- Being on your feet all day
- Carrying too much weight
It’s important to take good care of your feet, providing them with adequate support and cushioning, and also giving them sufficient rest. Overworking your feet can cause a number of foot problems, including plantar fasciitis.
What can I do to help reduce the discomfort of plantar fasciitis?
There are several steps you can take to ease the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis, including:
- Stretching exercises to strengthen your calf muscles
- Applying ice packs or cold wraps to reduce heel inflammation
- Not going barefoot, as walking without support strains the plantar fascia
- Resting your heel as much as possible to facilitate the healing process
- Reducing strain on the plantar fascia by wearing shoes with arch supports and slightly raised heels
- Using over-the-counter pain-relieving medications if the pain is severe
Taking painkillers may offer relief, but it won’t cure the plantar fasciitis. You shouldn’t use the reduction in pain that medication provides as a justification for resuming physical activity.
What treatments are available for plantar fasciitis?
Dr. House provides a range of effective treatment methods to ease plantar fasciitis pain and help heal the inflammation. When you visit Kinetic Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. House examines your foot and goes through your medical history before recommending a course of treatment tailored to your individual needs. Treatment options include:
- Fitting supportive pads or custom-made inserts called orthotics into your shoes
- Strapping or taping your foot to support the arch and reduce plantar fascia strain
- Reducing inflammation with steroid injections
- Fitting a walking cast to immobilize your foot while the plantar fascia heals
- Using a splint that extends the plantar fascia while you’re asleep
- Providing a physical therapy program to exercise the tissues and aid healing
Dr. House also specializes in using EPAT therapy, a non-invasive form of shockwave treatment that promotes healing in the plantar fascia.
Dr. House has considerable experience and expertise in treating patients with plantar fasciitis, so call Kinetic Foot and Ankle Clinic today, or book an appointment online.
