Plantar Fasciitis is pain in the foot, most often the heel. Some patients who tend to get this foot pain are athletes but some are not active at all. It is a common condition amongst new army recruits with a sudden increase in marching in boots.
This article describes the causes of plantar fasciitis and the best plantar fasciitis treatments.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Severe irritation of this tight band where it inserts into the heel is called plantar fasciitis. Sometimes people do experience this foot pain in the middle of the sole of the foot or the toes.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common overuse injury of the foot in middle aged to older people. The heel pain can be exquisitely painful. The pain gets worse with walking and is not there when resting although it can be agony first thing in the morning until it warms up and stretches out a bit. The pain can be so acute that it is almost impossible to weight bear on the affected foot.
The pain usually comes on gradually for no obvious reason rather than a specific incident. If treated early it should usually clear up within a few weeks. However if you leave it to become chronic, the inflammation will get worse and it may take months to fully resolve the heel pain.
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by repeated micro trauma to the plantar fascia with poor quality healing and tightening in the plantar fascia and thus inflammation irritation and pain.
The main cause of foot pain are prolonged high heel wearing as this shortens the plantar fascia. Obesity or pregnancy can cause it with an increase in load being passed through the foot. Overpronation and sudden increase in running can also predispose people to getting it.
If you think you have plantar fasciitis do visit a physiotherapist who will be able to advise you on appropriate stretches and strengthening exercises. Taping the sole of the foot can also help. If there is over pronation in the foot, this needs to be corrected and may require an orthotic. Consult a physiotherapist or podiatrist. If it is in the acute stages, antiinflammatories may help reduce the inflammation.
This condition can become chronic if not treated, so if you think you may have it, seek help now.
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