Plantar Fasciitis

plantar fasciitis in the Hunt County, TX: Greenville, Rockwall County, TX: Rockwall, Rowlett, Fate, Royse City, Heath, Collin County, TX: Plano, Wylie, Sachse, Frisco, Dallas County, TX: Dallas, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Carrollton, Addison, Farmers Branch, Coppell, Lewisville, Rowlett (partial), Sachse (partial), Balch Springs, Seagoville, Denton County, TX: Lewisville, Flower Mound, The Colony, Highland Village, Denton, Tarrant County, TX: Grapevine areas

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

What is the Plantar Fascia Tissue?

The plantar fascia is a strong band of fibrous connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. It inserts at the heel bone and stretches up along the sole of the foot to connect with the base of the toes.

The plantar fascia supports the arch and provides shock absorption in the foot. It also performs a vital role in the biomechanics of walking, running, and jumping.

The plantar fascia is a strong band of fibrous connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. It inserts at the heel bone and stretches up along the sole of the foot to connect with the base of the toes.

The plantar fascia supports the arch and provides shock absorption in the foot. It also performs a vital role in the biomechanics of walking, running, and jumping.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

When the plantar fascia gets overly stressed or stretched, micro-tears can occur and cause pain and inflammation in the heel. This is known as plantar fasciitis. The pain is usually felt towards the bottom of the heel and can increase gradually or be sudden and stabbing. Pain from plantar fasciitis may be most severe when you wake up and take your first steps in the morning or after other long periods of rest. The pain may subside after the plantar fascia warms up but will come back eventually or even worsen.

In some cases, plantar fasciitis can lead to the development of heel spurs, which are calcium deposits that build up on the heel bone in response to repeated stress and inflammation of the heel bone.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a variety of factors such as:

• Wearing improper footwear

• Having an abnormal shape or structure of the foot

• Playing sports with repetitive movements

• Standing at work all day

• Being obese

• Abruptly increasing the level and intensity of workouts

• Having certain medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

Diagnosing and Treating Plantar Fasciitis

A podiatrist can diagnose plantar fasciitis with a physical examination and imaging tests such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or an MRI. Treatment will depend on how far along the condition has developed and how severe the pain and inflammation is.

Typical treatments for plantar fasciitis may include:

• Resting and icing the plantar fascia

• Modifying activities

• Using custom orthotics

• Wearing night splints to keep the tissue stretched

• Doing specific stretches or physical therapy

• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

• Taping the foot to reduce stress and hold the plantar fascia in place

• Using steroid injections to reduce inflammation

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to release tension in the plantar fascia and relieve swelling.

If you are experiencing pain and inflammation in your heel, see a podiatrist as soon as possible. If you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your podiatrist will discuss your treatment options and, together, you can come up with an effective plan that works for you.

Plantar Fasciitis (FAQs)

What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot injury in which the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed. The inflammation is a natural, but often painful, response to small tears along the plantar fascia.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
The hallmark symptoms of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. The pain may be localized to the bottom of the heel, or it may affect the entire heel and even the arch of the foot. The pain may be dull, sharp, burning, or aching. It is usually at its worst upon first arising in the morning or when taking your first few steps after a long rest. Pain usually goes away during physical activity, but comes back afterwards. The heel may also be swollen and stiff, and the Achilles tendon may feel tight. Left untreated, plantar fasciitis symptoms can become chronic.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repetitive overuse from running or other sports activities, or from wearing shoes that do not fit properly. People who have flat feet or high arches, are overweight or obese, work or exercise on hard surfaces, or stand for prolonged periods of time are at an increased risk of sustaining this injury.
How do you treat plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is initially treated through conservative measures. These may include resting and icing the affected foot, doing stretching exercises, wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, and taking over the counter medications to ease pain. If these treatments fail, the next steps may include padding, taping, or strapping the affected foot to support it and reduce strain on the plantar fascia, corticosteroid injections into the foot to relieve pain, or immobilizing the foot while it heals. In a small percentage of people, plantar fasciitis does not respond to conservative treatments and requires surgical intervention.
Can you still exercise if you have plantar fasciitis?
You can still exercise if you have plantar fasciitis. In fact, exercise is encouraged. However, you should choose activities that don’t strain the plantar fascia. These may include low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or yoga, and special foot stretches to strengthen your plantar fascia and aid your recovery.

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