Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel and foot pain in adults. It is an inflammation or irritation of the connective tissue, or fascia, on the bottom of the foot.
Signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis is heel pain that is most severe when first rising in the morning. The actual mechanism of this condition is inflammation at the insertion point of the fascia on the heel bone. As the plantar fascia pulls on the heel, the body lays down more bone in the area forming a heel spur.
The most common causes of plantar fasciitis include: Progressive flattening of the arches of the feet; loss of flexibility in the muscles of the leg and foot; increased stress of the fascia (such as training for a marathon); and weight gain.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs begins with keeping things flexible. Stretching the bottoms of the feet by applying downward pressure on a ball, and stretching the calf muscles is usually effective. Inflammation can be reduced by using ice and anti-inflammatory medications.
Well designed foot orthotics can not only correct the mechanics of the foot, but will also allow heel spurs to become re-absorbed over time. Future heel spurs and fasciitis flair-ups will also be lessoned with the regular use of orthotics. Relief by wearing good custom orthotics may be obtained within 2-3 months.
In some cases, it may be necessary to receive corticosteroid injections for relief of pain and swelling, and in rare cases surgery may be attempted. It should be noted that surgically cutting the plantar fascia may further accelerate arch flattening and the resulting problems associated with that condition
WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.