Plantar fasciitis is a podiatry condition that causes pain and discomfort in the heel area of the foot. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that is along the underside of the heel becomes swollen or inflamed.
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can be bad enough to limit your mobility. If you want to learn more about this condition, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies for plantar fasciitis.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis can have different causes that result in the tissue becoming swollen. Some of the underlying causes are:
- Repetitive Strain: Repetitive strain can develop on the plantar fascia from sports such as running and basketball, where there is repeated pressure on the arch of the foot. Other causes of strain include standing all day and exercising or working on a hard surface.
- Abnormal Foot Mechanics: Individuals with high arches, flat feet, or an abnormal walking pattern are more prone to developing plantar fasciitis. A podiatrist or foot and ankle doctor can perform a gait analysis to see where the problem is when you walk.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts added pressure on the structures of the feet, including the plantar fascia. However, even just gaining 15 pounds over a few months can lead to the development of plantar fasciitis.
- The Wrong Footwear: Wearing shoes that provide no real support to the arches, such as flats and flip-flops, is a common cause of plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes symptoms that are very distinct, such as:
- Sharp, burning or stabbing heel pain along the bottom of the foot
- Heel pain that is worse in the mornings or after periods of rest
- Tenderness in the heel area
- Heel pain that improves as you move throughout the day
Treatment Strategies for Plantar Fasciitis
The most effective treatments for plantar fasciitis are usually a combination of different techniques. High-quality plantar fasciitis treatments are individualized to the patient.
Some of the treatment strategies that are used in treating plantar fasciitis include the following:
- Rest – When dealing with plantar fasciitis, it’s important to give your feet some much-needed rest. Taking a break from the activity or sport that caused the condition is crucial for recovery.
- Ice the affected foot – Applying ice packs on the bottom of the foot can help reduce inflammation and relieve heel pain from plantar fasciitis. Do this for 20 minutes several times a day.
- Medications – Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help soothe plantar fasciitis symptoms.
- Change your footwear – When dealing with plantar fasciitis, it’s crucial to wear shoes that provide proper support and cushioning. Look for footwear options that offer arch support and extra cushioning in the heel area to relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms.
- Stretch – Specific stretching exercises can help stretch the plantar fascia and improve flexibility of the tissue. In addition, stretching the calves and hamstrings can also help prevent plantar fasciitis.
- Orthotic Inserts – Wearing orthotic inserts or custom-made shoe inserts can provide greater support and cushioning to the foot, reducing strain on the plantar fascia. A podiatrist can fit you for custom orthotics, which can perform far better than general orthotics, as they are made specifically for your feet.
- See a Physical Therapist – Your podiatrist can refer you to a physical therapist who can provide targeted treatments, such as ultrasound therapy or soft tissue mobilization therapy, both very effective at easing plantar fasciitis symptoms.
- Corticosteroid Injections – In severe cases, corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation of the plantar fascia and provide long-term pain relief.
- Shockwave therapy – This non-invasive treatment for plantar fasciitis uses acoustic waves to target the inflamed tissue. The waves stimulate the healing process by increasing blood flow and promoting tissue regeneration.
Treatment for Chronic Foot Pain in San Antonio, Boerne, Hondo, Floresville, Kenedy, Uvalde, and Live Oak, TX
If you are tired of living with the pain of plantar fasciitis, there is still hope. Schedule an appointment with one of the foot and ankle doctors at The Podiatry Group of South Texas. Our treatments are custom-made for you and combine different methods for optimized healing and maximum relief.
Call us today at our podiatry office near you or use our online form to book your appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve lasting pain relief from chronic foot pain.
