Plantar fasciitis is a common orthopedic condition that affects the feet. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the heel of your foot to your toes. When the plantar fascia becomes irritated, it can cause a variety of chronic symptoms. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is heel pain.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is classified as an overuse injury. The heel pain is often chronic and is characterized as a stabbing pain in and around the heel and arch of the foot. It is a chronic and progressive condition that most often affects both feet at the same time.
Symptoms are generally worse in the morning as you take the first few steps out of bed. Plantar fasciitis symptoms also tend to get worse after you stand, walk, or run for long periods of time. As the condition worsens, you are likely to experience heel pain with less physical activity.
What Kind of Heel Pain Does Plantar Fasciitis Cause?
Heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis is not the same for everyone. Some people feel an aching pain, while others feel a stabbing pain. Some people report feeling a burning sensation in the heel. It is also common for the same patient to feel a variety of different pains in the heel. For example, you may feel aching pain in the morning right after getting out of bed but a stabbing pain after doing physical activities. Finally, some patients feel plantar fasciitis pain gradually, with symptoms worsening over weeks or months. However, it is also common for significant pain to set in within only a few days.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis often has structural and lifestyle causes. For example, high and low arches, flat feet, and other abnormalities usually cause plantar fasciitis. Wearing unsupportive shoes is also another major cause. Patients with plantar fasciitis are recommended to wear customized orthotics to address structural issues. Lifestyle issues such as obesity and lack of physical activity (sedentary lifestyle) are also causes of the condition. Losing weight and exercising regularly can help in alleviating symptoms. Finally, overusing the feet can also cause plantar fasciitis. This is often done when you play an active sport or do strenuous exercises too often.
The more you wait to have plantar fasciitis treated, the longer your recovery may be. Because it is a chronic condition, plantar fasciitis will get worse with time. The longer you wait to address the condition, the worse the symptoms will be and the longer it will take for your feet to recover.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in San Antonio, Boerne, Hondo, Floresville, Kenedy, Uvalde, and Live Oak, Texas
The Podiatry Group of South Texas has years of experience diagnosing and treating a full range of foot and ankle conditions, including plantar fasciitis. While your heel pain could be caused by this condition, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis because your symptoms may be caused by another issue.
Visit us today and see how we can help you find relief. To schedule a consultation, call the Podiatry Group clinic closest to you, or send an appointment request now.
