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What is Plantar Fasciitis?

By Allan Tan

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Published: 17May2008
Word count: 670
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Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament that connects the heel to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia becomes too inflamed. The plantar fascia is the thin layer of tissue which supports the arch-like area seen below the foot.

The pain becomes evident during day time. This is because the fascia or the tissue contracts overnight while you sleep. Although there may be times when you won't feel any pain, it is only a temporary thing. Once you stand up for long periods or you get up from a long time of sitting down, the pain may strike once more.

There are several factors which can cause plantar fasciitis and these are as follows:

1) Overdoing strenuous physical activities

2) Moving heavy objects

3) Arthritis

4) Diabetes

5) Abnormal foot mobility

6) Poor quality of footwear

Plantar fasciitis can affect both feet, but it usually happens on just one foot. The illness also develops gradually and only becomes evident once unbearable heel pain is felt. However, this illness definitely has several symptoms, which you should take a tab on so that you can prevent it from becoming a major medical condition. These are the following symptoms associated with this illness:

1) A stabbed-like feeling on the bottom of your foot

2) A progressive heel pain experienced as soon as you wake up and walk to go about your early morning activities or even after doing exercise

3) Heel pain experienced after standing for a long period of time or when getting up from sitting down for over a time

4) Some swelling observed in the middle part of your heel

Once you experience these symptoms, it would be wise to note how often they occur and then proceed to consult your doctor.

As you seek medical attention, your doctor will first verify all the symptoms, which you may have experienced. The doctor will also note some tender points found on your foot. This is necessary so that other factors causing heel pain can be ruled out. Apart from physical examination, your doctor may also schedule you for a foot X-ray or even MRI so stress fracture can be seen if ever you also have it.

Treating plantar fasciitis is actually quite simple. All it takes is proper discipline and close monitoring of treatment regimen issued by the doctor.

For self-care treatments, here are the usual recommended procedures:

Night splint: This is usually done by enclosing your foot up to your calf within a splint as you sleep. The purpose of this is to hold your foot tissues as well as your Achilles tendon so that it can be stretched overnight.

Orthotics: This is an arch support, which works by distributing the pressure absorbed by your feet evenly on all areas.

Physical therapy: Rehabilitative exercises can strengthen your leg muscles and help make your heel and ankle more stabilized to absorb pressure.

However, in the event that your plantar fasciitis is diagnosed as severe, here are other medical approaches, which you may undergo to alleviate pain and treat the foot area.

Corticosteroids: Your doctor will suggest this medication if all other forms of treatment are not effective. This works by injecting a couple doses within your fascia area to alleviate pain. At times, iontophoresis can also be conducted instead of injecting corticosteroids. By this procedure, the medicine gets to be distributed within the fascia area by means of electric current gently induced to relieve pain.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: This method uses sound waves as a means of stimulating the healing process of the affected area. If the plantar fasciitis has been diagnosed as a chronic illness, this is the treatment method being adopted.

Surgery: When one undergoes surgery for planta fasciitis, the plantar fascia is removed from the heel bone. This is the final option and is only turned to when other methods can no longer take away the heel pain and the condition becomes too severe to handle.

Allan Tan is the creator of podiatry forum. He created this foot health forum to allow members of the public to ask podiatrists on foot related questions for free. The idea of this helpful website to help people understand more about their foot problems and pain.

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