What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the condition in which the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes) becomes inflamed.

Heel pain is a common result of plantar fasciitis, as irritation turns into inflammation or swelling.

There could be a number of reasons for plantar fasciitis, so it is important to have the condition diagnosed properly by a podiatrist, who will be able to determine the underlying condition that is causing the pain in your heel.

This is done with various imaging tests and physical examinations, and by asking questions about the patient’s symptoms and medical history.

Pain and other symptoms can vary, and may be persistent or intermittent. Women over the age of 40 are at a higher risk, but this condition can happen to anyone, at any age, no matter their fitness level.

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis usually develops slowly, although in some cases the pain can appear instantly and be very intense. Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the inside bottom part of the heel
• Pain worsens as you stand, climb, tiptoe, etc.
• Pain is worse after long periods of rest, or first thing in the morning
• Pain increases over a period of months
• Not much pain while moving around, but an aching feeling after sitting down
• Swollen heel

Sometimes sufferers will feel pain when they walk, run, or jog. Other times, the pain will not be noticeable until they slow down and relax, possibly even after waking up from a good night’s sleep.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consider seeing a podiatrist before the problem worsens.

How Did I Get Plantar Fasciitis?

The main cause of plantar fasciitis is a biomechanical imbalance that causes inflammation of the soft tissues of the lower leg and the bottom of the foot. This inflammation can be brought on in a number of different ways.

Excessive running, walking, dancing, and jogging can cause plantar fasciitis, but simple non-athletic activities such as moving furniture can also bring it on. Other causes of plantar fasciitis include:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Lack of arch support in shoes
• Shoes that do not fit
• Strained or tight Achilles tendon
• Unusually high arches
• An increase in activities
• Obesity putting excessive weight on the feet
• Flat feet or over-pronation

Often, plantar fasciitis can be alleviated wearing a quality arched sandal (Birkenstock, Dansko, and Keen are all good brands).

If you wear shoes that do not fit you properly, whether they are too tight or too loose, they can cause plantar fasciitis.

If your shoes do not offer any arch support, are not made of shock-absorbent materials, or have thin soles, plantar fasciitis may result from wearing them.

The problem could also lie in how you walk. Flat feet and over-pronation are the leading causes of plantar fasciitis. If your arch collapses when weight is applied by walking, the plantar fascia is stretched.

Obesity or weight gain brought on by pregnancy can also stretch the plantar fascia. When a woman is pregnant, she has to learn to walk differently while carrying the extra weight. This can put stress on the feet and sometimes results in plantar fasciitis.

Also, the water content in our tissues decreases as we age, and they become less pliant. During the night the foot relaxes and the plantar fascia shortens, so stepping down onto the floor for the first time in the morning can be painful.

Stretching first thing in the morning by rolling the foot over a tennis ball can be quite helpful.

How is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?

 If you are concerned that you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis, you should seek help from a foot doctor.

He or she will run a series of tests, checking for tenderness and signs of other conditions such as tendonitis, cysts, foot arthritis, or nerve irritations.

Your doctor may also take x-rays to rule out stress fractures, and may order a diagnostic ultrasound to measure the thickness or inflammation of the plantar fascial band.

You may also be asked about your normal activities, medical history, and diet.

Your Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Plan

Usually your podiatrist or doctor will first try non-surgical treatment methods that begin at home with you.

At-home healing methods may include:

• Plantar Fasciitis exercises
• Avoid going barefoot
• Ice or cold compresses (fifteen minutes, three or four times per day and after activities)
• Limited activities
• Changing shoes
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen

Additional treatment methods include:

• Padding and strapping
• Orthotic devices
• Night splints, used to keep muscles stretched while you sleep
• Physical therapy
• Injection therapy, cortisone injections
• Removable walking cast
• Surgery (usually options are discussed with doctor to treat individual cases)

Again, plantar fasciitis is usually brought on by a biomechanical imbalance of the foot, which causes inflammation of the soft tissues of the feet.

If you are inactive most of the time, but suddenly find yourself on your feet for days at a time, you may see an increase in heel pain. In most cases, plantar fasciitis can be treated at home. Only in rare situations is surgery necessary.

If the problem does not go away after you have attempted to treat the condition at home for a few weeks, your doctor may add one of the treatment methods from the second list to your treatment plan.

This condition is curable for most people, but your plantar fasciitis may end up being a long-term condition. The underlying cause of the condition may never go away, so sudden flare-ups are always a possibility.

Recovery times vary from weeks to months, depending on the cause and the severity of the condition.

Preventive measures may need to become a way of life for you if you wish to avoid the effects of plantar fasciitis in the future. Surgery or shock wave therapy may be necessary if the condition does not disappear after six months of treatment.

Surgery for plantar fasciitis is rare. There are two types of plantar fasciitis surgeries, both of which involve cutting and releasing the plantar fascia.

Traditional plantar fascia release is one common technique, but it is being replaced by a newer procedure—endoscopic plantar fascia release. The difference between the two is that endoscopic plantar fascia release uses a tiny camera to view the plantar fascia in order to make the cut.

Thankfully these procedures are rarely used, and in cases that require surgery, 70–80 percent of patients find relief. Those patients who still have symptoms after conservative treatment has been tried, and who understand the risks involved with surgery may consider either procedure.

How Can I Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?

Here are some tips to help you prevent this condition:

• Do stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon
• Work out your calf muscles
• Wear proper footwear for sports, work, and exercise (never wear work shoes to exercise, and vice versa)
• Run on soft surfaces instead of hard surfaces like concrete
• Build your pace slowly when starting new exercises
• Maintain a healthy weight for your height
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Do warm up and cool down stretches after exercises
• Drink plenty of fluids at all times

What Are The Risks and Complications of Plantar Fasciitis?

There are several risks and complications associated with this condition. If you are over 40 and female you are twice as likely to develop plantar fasciitis as a male of the same age.

However, this condition can develop in anyone, of any age, no matter what their fitness level. Risks include:

• Over-training for athletic activities
• Wearing footwear with no arch support
• Not warming up before exercising
• Having flat feet or high arches
• Running, jumping, or walking on hard surfaces
• Walking barefoot on hard surfaces
• Being overweight
• Being on your feet for many hours a day
• Not replacing old, worn-out shoes

Complications can arise from this condition, especially if it is left untreated or if surgery is necessary. These problems include:

• Bacterial infection
• Affected areas may discolor, especially in darker-skinned persons
• Over-release of the plantar fascia
• Nerve damage to foot
• Symptoms that never diminish

Talking to Your Doctor

Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor about plantar fasciitis:

• Based on my activities, how often can I expect this condition to recur?
• What symptoms should I watch for that may indicate the condition is returning?
• If symptoms reappear, how long should I wait to see you again?
• When can I resume my normal activities?
• Should I wrap or ACE bandage my affected foot at night?
• What should my diet consist of?
• Are custom orthoics right for me?