Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a tough fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Excessive stretching of plantar fascia through physical activities like running and jumping or from natural causes such as flat feet, high arches or overpronation (feet rolling in or flattening) leads to the development of tears in the plantar fascia. These tears in the plantar fascia result in symptoms of pain and inflammation.

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is the feeling of acute pain in the inner side of the heel. If an intense pain is felt in the heel on taking the first few steps in the morning, then it is most likely a case of plantar fasciitis. The pain eases as the day progresses because the plantar fascia gradually stretches due to warming up of the feet. Sometimes, the pain may start as a dull pain in the heel and the arch and may later accentuate to a sharp, persisting pain. Patients suffering from plantar fasciitis may also find climbing stairs or walking on the toes very painful.

The pain is also noticed when an individual resumes walking or standing after a long rest. For those who routinely exercise, pain that may disappear at the beginning may return after the completion of the exercise. The other symptoms that are generally associated with plantar fasciitis are tenderness in the heel and tightness in the calf muscles.

There are certain other conditions that may be confused with the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is one among them. A stress fracture of the heel bone, ruptured plantar fascia, rheumatological conditions, wearing down of the heel fat pad and problems with the circulation can cause pain in the heel. The doctor must be consulted if the pain persists for a long time, and the right cause of the pain must be diagnosed.

Plantar Fasciitis provides detailed information on Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciitis Treatment, Plantar Fasciitis Shoes, Plantar Fasciitis Surgery and more. Plantar Fasciitis is affiliated with Physical Therapy Schools.

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The problem of plantar fasciitis is commonly seen among runners, people who are overweight, people with flat feet or high arches, or those who stand on their feet for long hours doing their jobs. In most cases, non-surgical treatment can help a person to get rid of the problem. The duration, as well as the nature, of treatment may vary from one patient to the other. While it may take six weeks for some, it might take longer than six months for others to get effectively cured.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis should be initiated immediately upon occurrence of the problem. This helps in getting rid of the problem in a very short time. Delay may cause the problem to become aggravated and may require more than six months for the problem to heal.

Treatment in the initial stages includes adequate rest, applying ice to the area of pain after routine activities, some gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to relax the tissues and anti-inflammatory medicines for relief from pain. Wearing of night splints is also recommended to keep the tissues gently stretched during the night to relieve the patient from the painful experience of the first morning steps.

For some, different types of shoe insertcalled orthoticsmay have to be used after evaluation of their routine activities to lessen their pain. The shoes must, however, adequately support the orthoses to bring about the desired results. In cases where the patients do not respond to the conventional treatments mentioned above, the physicians may use cortisone injections to relieve the pain. But physicians do not often prefer cortisones because of their noted side effects in some patients.

Doctors recommend surgery as an alternative to those patients whose pain persists even after months of conventional treatment. A majority of the patients have reported relief from pain after surgery. Surgery is seen as a last resort because of its possible complications.

In recent years, there has been an emergence of a new kind of treatment called the Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). ESWT involves low-energy shockwave treatment or high-energy shockwave treatment. The shockwave therapy stimulates the repair process of the injured tissues and relieves the patients from the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis provides detailed information on Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciitis Treatment, Plantar Fasciitis Shoes, Plantar Fasciitis Surgery and more. Plantar Fasciitis is affiliated with Physical Therapy Schools.

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Plantar fasciitis is a condition affecting the surface of the foot. It is an inflammation of the tough, fibrous band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis results from the development of tear in plantar fascia that leads to pain and inflammation. The pain is very acute while walking for the first time in the morning. It is equally severe while walking after a prolonged rest or after being seated for a long time.

During moments of rest, the plantar fascia tightens up causing the pain to diminish. But once the pressure is put on the fascia, it stretches tightly and the acute pain is felt again. The pain gradually subsides as the tissue warms up or as a person becomes more active.

The occurrence of plantar fasciitis is more frequent among people having flat feet or high arches. Middle-aged men and women who are overweight; runners and dancers; and people whose jobs require them to stand for long hours often suffer from plantar fasciitis. Arthritis and direct trauma may also lead to the development of the problem, in which case the condition is called secondary plantar fasciitis.

Treating plantar fasciitis is easy, inexpensive and can require a very short time.

In most cases, rest and simple stretching exercises can relieve the person of pain and the chances of recurrence of the problem. However if not treated, the conditions can become chronic.

Sometimes considerable injury to the tissues may result in a problem called heel spursspike-like projections of new bone from the heel. This can be treated medically or removed by surgery.

If pressing hard in the middle of the heel results in acute pain, then it must be plantar fasciitis. The problem must not be ignored or left untreated. Acute pain may sometimes lead to involuntary change in the gait, causing other problems such as backache, knee pain or hip pain.

It is very important to take precautions against occurrence of plantar fasciitis. One must always maintain a healthy weight; wear shoes that provide ample cushioning and support to the heel, arch and the ball of the foot; get into new exercise routine slowly in order to prevent excessive stress on the plantar fascia; and never walk barefoot on a hard rocky surface.

Plantar Fasciitis provides detailed information on Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciitis Treatment, Plantar Fasciitis Shoes, Plantar Fasciitis Surgery and more. Plantar Fasciitis is affiliated with Physical Therapy Schools.

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