Plantar fasciitis is a painful swelling of the thick band of tissues that connects the heel bone to the tones. This is also one of the most prevalent reasons for heel pain, which can be extremely painful. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue at the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia). This discomfort is more common in people who walk for longer periods of time, and it is noticeable when you first get up in the morning and place your steps on the floor; as soon as you try to walk, your heels begin to hurt, making it difficult to walk. However, as you continue to walk a few steps and the heel becomes more habitual, the discomfort begins to fade.
There are very common signs of plantar fasciitis, easily noticed while walking. Below are some of the common symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
- Acute pain near the heel on the bottom of your foot
- Discomfort in the first few steps after waking up,
- Pain due to long durations of standing or rising from a sitting position
The plantar fascia is what connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. When too much stress is put on the heel it may even cause small tears on the fascia. Though the exact cause of plantar fasciitis is unclear, below are some common risk factors of plantar fasciitis.
- Growing age
- People with flat feet or high arch are more prone to plantar fasciitis
- Being overweight/obese
- Exercises that put too much pressure on the heel
- Type of work that may trigger the heel pain- teachers, coaches, factory workers, security guards, etc.
The doctor may ask for your medical history and then conduct a physical examination to detect plantar fasciitis. During the checkup, your health care professional will examine your foot for painful spots by putting slight pressure on the assumed pain spots. The location of your pain can assist the doctor to figure out what’s causing it. Though there aren’t any tests for diagnosing the pain other than physical examination, sometimes the healthcare provider might suggest an X-ray to better examine the affected area.
With the right treatment offered, like avoiding too much pressure, applying a hot/ice pack on the affected area, and restricting activities that cause discomfort, this plantar fasciitis may recover within a few weeks or months.
Some common treatment methods recommended by the specialist:
- Physiotherapy
- Wearing walking boots
- Custom-fit arch supports
- OTC medication to relieve pain
