Plantar Fasciitis
At A Glance:
Plantar Fasciitis is caused by inflammation along the plantar fascia underneath the heel and foot. The plantar fascia is a tough fibrous structure that helps maintain the shape of your foot and improve with the normal function of your foot. As each step causes stretching of the plantar fascia, the most common symptom is pain underneath the heel on walking. Treatment rarely involves surgery and symptoms generally resolve with time, but treatment does speed up the recovery
Symptoms
- A stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot/heel which is worse after exercising.
- Difficulty climbing stairs.
- Pain when standing up after being seated/lying down for a long period of time.
Causes:
Although the plantar fascia is made to absorb shock, too much pressure can cause it to become damaged or tear, causing painful inflammation in the heel.
A few things can lead to plantar fasciitis
- Wearing shoes with worn-out soles.
- Having flat feet or cavus feet.
- Having a tight Achilles tendon.
- Walking or standing in an unusual manner.
Subsequently, ignoring this condition may result in chronic heel pain which may hinder your activity as well as cause secondary conditions in the foot, knee, hip or back as a result of your altered posture.
Treatment Options
Nonsurgical methods to treat Plantar Fasciitis include:
- Physical therapy.
- Shock wave therapy.
- Night splints which stretch your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep.
- Orthotic devices in shoes may help distribute pressure of your feet more evenly.
If you have tried these methods and fail to see results, surgery may be an option for you.
Surgical methods of treating Plantar Fasciitis include:
- Achilles tendon lengthening or Calf release to reduce the tension that is transferred to the Plantar Fascia.
- Plantar Fasciitis Release where the plantar fascia is cut to relieve tension in the fascia and reduce pain and inflammation in the heel.
Speak to your orthopaedic surgeon about your case and what surgical option may be best suited for you.