What Is the Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is caused by inflammation of a thick tissue that is found on the foot and runs from the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis presents with a sharp stabbing heel pain that mostly occurs in the morning. This pain worsens as you take the first few steps when you are walking and when you stand after prolonged sitting.

Doing strenuous exercise puts you at risk of plantar fasciitis. The pain can recur after physical exercise, and failure to seek treatment can cause you to have difficulty in walking and cause chronic pain. If the pain in your heel is limiting you from doing regular activities, you should visit a New York plantar fasciitis specialist who will examine you and come up with a treatment plan.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Tension and stress of the plantar fascia, which supports the foot in a bowstring fashion, can tear it. Continuous stretching of the plantar fascia causes more damage and inflammation of the fascia. The exact cause of plantar fasciitis is unknown but some risk factors make you prone to getting this condition.

These risk factors include advancing age; plantar fasciitis mostly occurs in people who are between forty and sixty years. This condition is also common in athletes who do exercise that strains the plantar fascia. Any factor that affects the distribution of your body weight can cause plantar fasciitis.

These factors include flat foot and abnormal gait. Being overweight or obese puts a lot of weight on the plantar fascia and can cause it to tear. If your job involves a lot of standing and walking, you are at a higher risk of plantar fasciitis.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?

The doctor will make a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis by taking a thorough medical history and examining your feet. Eliciting pain and tenderness in the area of plantar fasciitis helps in making the diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor orders imaging tests like an x-ray which will show a bone spur at the heel bone.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis can be conservative, medical, or surgical, depending on the severity of the condition. Medical treatment involves the administration of painkillers and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgical treatment includes steroid injections, shock wave therapy, and surgery.

You can also benefit from physical therapy that helps to strengthen the plantar fasciitis and the therapist may recommend that you wear night splints or orthotics. Lifestyle modification can also help you to reduce pain and avoid the condition. It is advisable to watch your weight by eating a healthy diet and doing moderate exercise.

Get shoes that support your feet like those with a thick sole, extra cushioning, and arch support. Wearing shoes with a low heel and extra cushioning helps to prevent your plantar fascia from tearing and reduces heel pain.

When you have plantar fasciitis, you should avoid strenuous exercise and wearing athletic shoes that are worn out. To reduce the pain, you can use cold compresses and ice packs for about 20 minutes at a time, repeated three times a day.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the deep tissue that supports your foot and presents within. Any condition that stresses or puts a lot of pressure on the plantar fascia including strenuous exercise and excess body weight can put you at risk of plantar fasciitis. Consult a doctor when you experience heel pain that is painful in the morning and worsens with movement and exercise.