Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It affects the thick band of tissue, your plantar fascia –that connects your heel bone to your toes. This thick band runs across the bottom of your foot, and in normal conditions it acts as a shock-absorber to the arch in your foot. Unfortunately, though, small tears can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed.
Causes
Plantar fasciitis can arise without any obvious cause. Although the real cause is unknown, there are certain risk factors that can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
- High Stress Exercise – Certain exercise or sports, particularly those that put a lot of stress on your heel: such as running, dancing and ballet, can contribute to early plantar fasciitis.
- Foot Mechanics – Things such as having flat feet or unusually high arches can put additional stress on your plantar fascia.
- Occupations – Certain occupations, such as those that require standing on hard surfaces for long periods of time, can lead to plantar fascia.
Symptoms
In most cases, a common symptom of plantar fascia is a stabbing pain at the bottom of your foot. The pain usually appears early in the morning when you first get up, but it can appear after long periods of standing. In most cases, the pain becomes worse after exercising, not during.
Treatment
Most cases are treated at home with resting and icing. However, some cases might require special stretching or strengthening therapies to help relieve the pressure and pain. Your doctor might also prescribe custom arch supports to help distribute the weight more evenly across your feet. In severe cases your doctor might recommend surgery; although in most cases, this is rare.
For foot treatment in Houston, Texas contact Dr. Lamarra of Shepherd Square Podiatry today.