Plantar fasciitis is a common inflammatory disorder of the plantar fascia, the fibrous tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. The inflammation can cause severe pain in the heel and sole of the foot, which often occurs when a person first stands or walks after long inactivity. Plantar fasciitis Mill Creek can be extremely debilitating, and since most cases occur in people over 40, it can greatly impact the quality of life.
What is the cause of plantar fasciitis?
The cause is usually an imbalance between strength and flexibility in the plantar fascia. It gets tight, so it pulls on the heel bone more than usual, causing irritation and pain. The most common contributing factors are overuse, especially with activities involving a lot of weight and pressure on the foot, being overweight, and having flat feet or high arches. Others include wearing high heels or shoes that don’t provide enough support, age, and genetics.
What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
Pain: The pain associated with plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation and stretching of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that originates at the bottom of the heel bone to support the arch of the foot. The most obvious sign of this condition is a pain in the bottom of your foot, usually felt first thing in the morning but also when you get up after long periods of sitting or standing on your feet for a long time. The pain varies from person to person, but it can be sharp and intense enough to make you hobble.
Heel spurs: This is a common secondary symptom. Heel spurs are bony growths that develop along the back edge of your heel bone, caused by an abnormal amount of stress being placed on this area. They could develop due to plantar fasciitis.
What are the risk factors?
Age: Age can be a risk factor for plantar fasciitis. The condition is most common in middle-aged adults but can occur at any age. This condition is also more likely to occur in people with flat feet, high arches, or a previous foot injury.
Genetics: Some people have a higher risk than others of developing plantar fasciitis. Those with a family history of plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and/or tight calf muscles have an increased risk of developing this condition.
Obesity: Body weight is an essential factor in people who are overweight. Being overweight increases stress on the plantar fascia and may lead to plantar fasciitis.
Foot mechanics: These are a large risk factor for having plantar fasciitis. If you have a job that requires you to stand for long periods, your risk of developing plantar fasciitis increases.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
This condition can be treated with rest, heat or ice packs, physical therapy, and several different kinds of medication, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, corticosteroid injections, or even oral steroids. Treatment also includes using orthotic devices such as night splints that keep the affected foot stretched out overnight. These devices are not always effective because they don’t address any biomechanical problems in the foot. Surgery is usually reserved for persistent cases that do not improve with conservative treatment.
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the thick, fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch. This happens due to the constant impact of jumping and running. In people with plantar fasciitis, the overuse of this tissue can cause inflammation and pain in the heel area. Over time, plantar fasciitis can also lead to partial tearing or complete rupture of this tissue, causing extreme pain in the bottom of your foot. If you have this condition, Hansen Foot & Ankle specialists can help.
