Plantar fasciitis is the leading cause of heel pain.
The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your toes to your heel bone and supports the arch in your foot, and plays an important part in allowing you to walk. If your plantar fascia is strained it becomes weakened or inflamed –causing pain in your foot or heel when you walk.
Causes
While it isn’t entirely clear what causes plantar fasciitis, there are certain things that can put you at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis.
- Obesity – Being overweight or having a sudden weight fain can cause pressure on your plantar fascia ligaments.
- Lifestyle – If you do a lot of running, or have an active job that keeps you on your feet and moving all day, you are at a higher risk to develop plantar fasciitis.
- Foot Problems – If you have high arches or flat feet you have a higher risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms
While the most obvious symptom is heel pain that generally occurs first thing in the morning or after sitting for longer periods of time –there are other symptoms that can help determine if you have plantar fasciitis. Some of those symptoms can include:
- Stiffness or pain in the morning
- Increased pain after climbing stairs
- Pain after sitting for long periods of time
- Pain that occurs at the beginning of exercise
Treatment
When it comes to treating plantar fasciitis, the goal is to reduce the inflammation and pain and allow the tears in the plantar fascia a chance to heal. Once you have healed, it is important that you increase your flexibility and strength to reduce the chances of the injury from reoccurring. The treatment is fairly standard and involves rest, ice, and over the counter pain medications.
Prevention
If you have had plantar fasciitis before, are at a high risk for developing it or simply want to stay proactive in preventing it –then you should take the following precautions.
- Proper footwear
- Preform exercises such as toe or calf stretches
- Consider shoe inserts to help cushion your heel
For more information on plantar fasciitis contact Dr Lamarra of Shepherd Square Podiatry today.
Tags: Foot Care, Prevention