What to Know About the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
May 19, 2022 3:58 pm
Lately, the heel of your right foot has become increasingly uncomfortable. What could be causing this discomfort? You could be experiencing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that develops when the plantar fascia, tissue that connects the toes and the heel bone, becomes inflamed. When a person has the condition, sharp pain in the heel area can disrupt normal activities.
Recognizing the symptoms of plantar fasciitis is the first step to receiving treatment and finding relief.
Understanding Plantar Fasciitis
There’s a ligament running along the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. When this ligament is inflamed, it’s called plantar fasciitis.
This condition causes significant heel pain, particularly following physical activity. Pain may also occur first thing in the mornings or after you’ve been sitting for a while.
What causes plantar fasciitis? The inflammation and swelling associated with the condition occur when the plantar fascia is stressed or overused.
If you have plantar fasciitis, you may experience:
- Heel pain
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Pain that lingers for months
- Swelling in the heel
In some cases, you may experience tightness and pain in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf to the heel. Heel spurs may also occur in people who have plantar fasciitis, a condition known as plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome.
The Causes of Plantar Fasciitis and Who’s at Risk
Early in life, the plantar fascia is similar to a rubber band, tight but easily stretched. Over time and with use, the ligament becomes less stretchy, which can result in discomfort.
Changes in the overall structure of the foot may also occur over the years, causing the fat surrounding your heel to thin. This puts more pressure on the already-weakened plantar fascia.
In addition to age-related wear and tear, plantar fasciitis can also occur from overuse of the feet in cases where significant pressure is put on the heels. This may happen if you’re on your feet frequently and for long periods on hard surfaces, but plantar faciitis is most common among those who run long distances or on uneven surfaces. Being obese or overweight, having diabetes, performing repetitive movements with the feet and heels, wearing unsupportive shoes, and suddenly increasing physical activity also increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Having either flat feet or a high arch is a major risk factor for plantar fasciitis because both position the foot in an abnormal way, making it less able to handle pressure.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
If your provider believes you may have plantar fasciitis, he or she will do a thorough examination of the foot and a careful review of your symptoms. Imaging scans, including X-rays, may be ordered to determine the source of your heel pain.
If you have plantar fasciitis, your provider will likely first recommend that you modify your lifestyle in ways that may help your plantar fascia. This may include:
- Avoiding standing for long periods of time
- Installing padding to cushion the floor where you do need to stand
- Pausing or limiting physical activity to allow the heal to rest
- Performing regular stretching exercises of the calf muscle
- Taking steps to lose weight and reduce pressure on the heels
- Wearing specialized shoes called orthotics
Your provider may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce inflammation, icing of the heel, steroid injections, or physical therapy. Alternative therapies such as dry needling may also be an option to help reduce discomfort. In rare cases where discomfort is unresolved after months, your doctor may recommend surgery.
When you need care for plantar fasciitis or another orthopaedic health issue, Magnolia Regional Health Center’s Orthopaedic Center of Excellence is here to help.
Magnolia Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
611 Alcorn Drive, Suite 100
Corinth, MS 38834
(662) 286-6369
Tags: orthopaedics, plantar fasciitis
NewsCategorized in: Orthopaedic
This post was written by Magnolia Regional Health Center