The plantar fascia is a long, thin ligament that connects your toes to your heel bone. When it becomes inflamed, the condition is referred to as plantar fasciitis. It’s one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Causes
Although the plantar fascia absorbs the stress placed on the feet, there can be limits. In some instances, repetitive stretching and stress on the tissue can result in tiny tears. As a result of the damage, the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and irritated.
There appear to be certain risk factors that may increase your chances of developing plantar fasciitis. For example, people who are obese or have a high arch are at an increased risk of developing the condition. Engaging in repetitive high-impact activities, such as running, also increases your risk of plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms and Natural History
Plantar fasciitis often starts out with mild to moderate heel pain, usually around the heel bone. Although the quality can vary, the pain is often described as sharp.
The pain is more commonly felt after exercise, not during. It’s also common for people with plantar fasciitis to feel the pain after a period of inactivity, such as when they get out of bed in the morning. If the condition is not treated, the pain can worsen and become chronic.
Although plantar fasciitis is usually not serious, if symptoms persist, it can interfere with your activity level. For example, if you’re a runner or engage in other high-impact activities, the pain can limit your participation.
Even day to day activities, such as walking can become uncomfortable. Due to the pain, you may alter your walk without even realizing it. Changes in the way you walk can lead to additional problems with your knees, back and hips.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is often made based on a physical exam and medical history. Your doctor will check for tenderness on certain points on the bottom of your foot. The location of the pain, along with your description of when it occurs is often enough to make a diagnosis. There may be instances when imaging tests, such as an x-ray, are ordered to rule out other conditions.
Self-Help Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
In many cases, plantar fasciitis can be treated at home. Some noninvasive self-help treatments include applying ice to the affected area for about 20 minutes three times a day. Ice can reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.
Limiting high-impact activities until the pain subsides may also help speed up healing. Exercises, which stretch the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia can reduce your chances of a recurrence. Additional treatment at home may also include taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication to decrease pain and inflammation.
Standard Clinical Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis
If conservative treatment at home does not help reduce symptoms of plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend additional treatments. Cortisone injections into the tender area of the heel are sometimes used to treat the condition.
Although it is only used in extreme cases, surgery to detach the fascia from the heel bone may be an option if the pain is severe and other treatment options have failed.
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