Plantar Fasciitis

Many people mistake plantar fasciitis to be a minor irritation which can be treated with over-the-counter medication. However, if not properly treated, aside from the pain affecting the sufferer’s daily life, the condition can become chronic. Subsequently, it may require more serious courses of treatment, sometimes even surgery.

Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia tendon located at the sole of the foot. The condition can cause an aching pain in this area after the sufferer has just woken up. These symptoms typically go away once the person begins walking around but may return again just before bedtime. The main cause of the condition is the overuse of the ankle. This may stem from walking for long periods of time or running too much. In addition, wearing high heeled shoes for an extended length of time can also be the cause. It, especially, affects those overweight or with irregular bone structures, such as flat feet or high-arched feet.

Before receiving treatment, doctors must diagnose the condition carefully as its symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses. For instance, a herniated disk causes pain in the soles of the feet but also leads to pain in other areas of the body too. On the other hand, plantar fasciitis only affects the plantar fascia tendons in the soles of the feet.

• Most doctors prescribe treatment in the form of medication. They also recommend soaking the feet in warm water, as well as stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.
• Weight loss is also advised.
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is another option. It utilizes sound waves to stimulate healing of the muscles in the sole of the feet and reduce swelling.
• Steroidal medication injections should be avoided.
• Finally, if the aforementioned treatments have all been trialled for over 6 months without success, surgical options may be considered. Either invasive surgery or arthroscopic surgery may be utilized as treatment. It can relieve the tension in the plantar fascia ligament, reduce swelling and cure the pain.

• Select footwear which is suitable for everyday use. It should reduce the impact on the feet when exercising or walking for long periods of time
• Women who wear extremely high-heeled shoes or wear them for long periods, it is advised that the shoes be removed when resting. Apart from that, stretch the calf muscles frequently.
• People with irregular bone structures, such as flat feet or high-arched feet, should seek advice from orthopedic specialists. They should have specialized footwear made which can reduce the risk of injury. At the same time, it will reduce the chances of plantar fasciitis occurring.

Although plantar fasciitis can be a minor irritation, usually quite simple to treat, many people do not get it treated. Instead, they select their own medication or alternative procedures like acupuncture, that have not been proven effective for the condition. Also, while traditional massage techniques can relax the calve muscles, it is still unable to target plantar fasciitis specifically. Therefore, if you are experiencing pain in the soles of your feet, consult your doctor for the correct treatment to cure the condition. After that, you can return to your happy life, wear the shoes you love and exercise to your heart’s content.