Plantar Fasciitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

Plantar Fasciitis Causes:

This is to make sure that the pain isn’t the result of a different foot problem. Depending on the cause and the extent of the inflammation, you may find relief with a nonsurgical treatment, but in severe cases, you could consider a surgical procedure. You also should not continue the high-impact activities that may make the condition worse.

When it’s overly strained, you can get tiny tears on its surface. Doctors once thought bony growths called heel spurs brought on the pain. Now they believe that heel spurs are the result — not the cause — of plantar fasciitis. The main cause of plantar fasciitis, Dr. Peden says, is having tightness in your gastrocnemius, one of two major muscles in your calf. Tight calf muscles make it hard to flex your foot and bring the toes up toward your shin. This is a problem because ‘the tighter your calf is, the harder your foot hits the floor with each step, leading to more stress on your foot,’ Dr. Peden says.

Acute, severe heel pain, especially with mild local puffiness, may indicate an acute fascial tear. Some patients describe burning or sticking pain along the plantar medial border of the foot when walking. Your healthcare provider may recommend a short course (two to three weeks) of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to ease your plantar fascia pain and inflammation. Talk with your healthcare provider, though, before taking an NSAID, to make certain it is safe and right for you. When a person has plantar fasciitis, the connective tissue that forms the arch of the foot becomes inflamed.

You can also help your plantar fascia recover by stabilizing your foot with tape. A 2015 review of several studies suggested that taping your foot also offers my sources temporary pain relief. Carefully following recommendations for home treatment is often enough to heal plantar fasciitis without help from your doctor.

Plantar fasciitis can often be treated without the need to see a healthcare professional. Stop and stretch while exercising to keep the pain from returning. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. By Rachel MacPherson, BA, CPTRachel MacPherson is a health writer, certified personal trainer, and exercise nutrition coach based in Halifax. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

It may take some trial and error to find what works for you when it comes to plantar fasciitis pain’and that’s OK. Work closely with your healthcare provider, who can provide guidance and support and tailor treatment options that meet your needs. With time, treatment, and self-care, trust that you can soon find symptom relief and enjoy your daily activities pain-free. Syndromes of pain in the plantar fascia have been called plantar fasciitis; however, because there is usually no inflammation, plantar fasciitis is more correct.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), may soothe pain in the ligament. This reduces tension, but weakens the arch of the foot, and full function may be lost. Plantar fasciitis can cause significant pain and difficulty moving the foot normally. However, most people make a complete recovery from the condition. It is also best to choose low impact forms of exercise to help prevent injury.

In some cases, surgery may become an option that you might need to consider. Surgery carries the risks of bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Plantar fascia detachment can article source also cause changes in your foot and nerve damage. Since it’s unclear whether plantar fasciitis involves irritation or inflammation, using these essential oils may not be much help.

Moreover, patients should be encouraged to gradually increase their activity level to avoid overuse injuries and to maintain healthy weight management. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia ‘ a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. The plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus) and to the base of the toes.

While holding your foot, he will bend your toes toward your shin and then press along your plantar fascia from your heel to forefoot. For most people, plantar fasciitis improves within a few months of home treatments. Special orthotics, or arch supports, for your shoes may help alleviate some of the pain by distributing pressure, article source and they can prevent further damage to the plantar fascia. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in one or both heels may happen due to plantar fasciitis. You can often treat this condition at home, with ice, rest, supportive braces, and over-the-counter pain relief. People usually sleep with their feet relaxed and pointing downward.

Surgery is rarely needed for plantar fasciitis but is an option in severe cases. The surgery for plantar fasciitis is called gastrocnemius recession or gastrocnemius release. The goal is to lengthen the gastroc tendon, which is a part of the Achilles tendon. There is a known connection between the tension in the Achilles tendon and the tension in plantar fascia. If you have a hard time flexing your feet even after consistent stretching, your doctor may recommend gastrocnemius recession.