Plantar fasciitis: symptoms, causes, and treatment

Definition

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the foot becomes inflamed (inflammation) which is one of the causes of heel pain. This condition involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs down your lower leg and connects the heel bone to your fingers (plantar fascia).

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that generally causes a sharp pain in the first steps you start your day with. When you get up and move, the pain usually subsides. However, the feeling may return after a long period of standing or when you stand up after sitting down.

How common is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition in men aged 40-60 years. This disease often occurs in athletes or people who run a lot.

In addition, overweight people who frequently do not wear pads on the soles of their feet are also at risk. This can be managed by lowering your risk. Talk to your doctor about more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The symptom of plantar fasciitis is intense pain, or pain in the heel and pain when you walk after waking up. The more you walk, the better your pain will be.

Pain from plantar fasciitis is a condition that can develop gradually over time. The pain that results from this disease can feel sharp or dull.

Some people feel a burning or painful sensation on the bottom of the foot that radiates out from the heel.

After long exertion, the pain can be so uncomfortable because there is increased irritation or inflammation. With this condition, you usually won't feel pain during activity, but after you stop the activity.

In severe cases, you always feel pain when walking. Sometimes pain radiates from the heel to the toes and the heel becomes swollen or bruised.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes plantar fasciitis?

The cause of plantar fasciitis is trauma to the leg muscles. Pressure while walking, running, and standing for a long time can stretch and injure the leg, which can cause pain. In addition, wearing unsuitable shoes for a long time can also cause plantar fasciitis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for plantar fasciitis?

The risk factors for plantar fasciitis are:

• Gender and age. Plantar fasciitis usually occurs in men aged 40-60 years.
• Doing certain sports. These activities put more stress on the heel and the tissue, such as running, hiking, ballet and aerobics can quickly cause plantar fasciitis.
• Leg muscle abnormalities. Foot deformation or unusual gait also affects the foot and causes plantar fasciitis.
• Obesity. More weight puts more stress on the base of the leg muscles.
• A job that requires standing long, such as factory workers, teachers, or other professions. Standing or walking on rough surfaces will also injure the tendons of the leg muscles.

Having no risk factors does not mean you will not suffer from this disease. These factors are for reference only. Consult your doctor for more detailed information.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

The way doctors diagnose plantar fasciitis is by examining the symptoms and looking at the affected foot. During the exam, your doctor will examine the area of ​​pain in your leg. The location of the pain can determine what is causing it.

Usually, doctors don't ask you to do tests. However, imaging tests are tests that doctors usually order to find other problems. Sometimes, the x-ray procedure shows a bone sticking out of the heel bone (heel spur).

What are my treatment options for plantar fasciitis?

The healing time for plantar fasciitis is usually a few months. Treatments can be in the form of reducing pressure on the heel by not standing for long without resting the foot, compressing the affected area, and stretching.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, here are treatment options that can treat plantar fasciitis if it doesn't get better:

Drugs

Acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory drugs are drugs that can relieve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can also treat pain and inflammation due to plantar fasciitis.

Therapy

Stretching and strengthening exercises, including using special therapeutic tools, are ways that can relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Exercises to treat plantar fasciitis are:

• Physical therapy. A therapist will show you some movement exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. The therapist will also show you how to strengthen leg muscles.
• Using a splint. Your therapist or doctor may recommend that you use a splint, which can stretch your calves and arches at bedtime. It can grip the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a stretched position overnight.
• Orthotic. The use of an orthotic or additional footwear will also help distribute pressure on your foot even more to the eye.

Other operations and procedures

If traditional procedures don't work within a few months, your doctor may recommend that you follow these procedures:

Injection

Providing steroid treatment by injection in the affected area can provide temporary pain relief. However, don't do it over and over as it can weaken your plantar fascia and possibly cause it to rupture.

Excracorporeal shock wave therapy

In this procedure, sound waves are directed at the area of ​​heel pain to stimulate healing. This is a procedure commonly used to treat chronic plantar fasciitis that doesn't improve with traditional treatments.

Several studies have shown good results from this procedure. However, this therapy has not been shown to be effective.

Ultrasonic tissue repair

This procedure uses ultrasound imaging to guide a needle-like instrument into the damaged plantar fascia tissue. Using ultrasound energy, the tip of the device vibrates rapidly to break down the damaged tissue, and then it is sucked out.

Operation

A small percentage of people need surgery to remove the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This procedure is a last resort when the pain from plantar fasciitis is severe and other treatments have failed.

This can be done as an open procedure or through a small incision under local anesthesia.

Reporting from Healthline, if you have difficulty flexing your legs, even after stretching, your doctor may recommend a gastrocnemius recession. This surgery involves lengthening the calf muscles to increase ankle motion and relieve stress on the plantar fascia.

Surgery can cause chronic pain and nerve damage, so it's important to think about that. Always consult a doctor to decide what is best for your health.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat plantar fasciitis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat plantar fasciitis:

• Maintain an ideal body weight. Being overweight can create additional stress on your plantar fascia.
• Choose the right shoes. Wear shoes with low or medium heels, thick soles, and added cushioning. Don't walk barefoot.
• Don't wear worn athletic shoes. Change out your old athletic shoes before they make you sick.
• Stop exercising for a moment until the skin is perfectly healed. You can have light exercise, such as swimming or cycling, instead of walking or jogging.
• Ice it. Apply ice to the affected area for 15 minutes, three or four times a day. This can relieve pain and inflammation.
• Stretch frequently, especially before exercise. You can prevent back pain.
• Get some rest. Rest your feet as a way to prevent foot injuries from prolonged standing.
• Call your doctor if symptoms do not improve after therapy.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.