Plantar Fasciitis: What is it?

Answer 1

Pronounced as plan-ter fash-ee-eye-tis, plantar fasciitis refers to the condition that results in pain of the feet, especially within the heels. The burning sensation or sharp pain is a direct result of the inflammation of the structures that support the foot. There are many reasons that this inflammation can occur, and it is not uncommon for these causes to work with one another. Some of the causes of plantar fasciitis include being overweight, having shoes that do not fit properly and lack the support for the arch needed, running too frequently, running too hard and standing for many hours in a row on a hard surface. It is usually possible to diagnose the condition without any kind of real testing as the common signs include heel pain when waking up in the morning or after a long period of rest. Usually, the pain will stop once the person starts to loosen up and gets more involved in the activity. It can help to alleviate the pain for a bit by soaking the feet or applying ice, and over the counter pain relievers can help, though it is still necessary to treat the condition in order to stop further damage. The easiest way to treat the condition is by conducting stretching exercises. Pick up small items with the toes and put them in a box to help stretch the foot; this is the simplest exercise to alleviate the problem without any special equipment. Another course of treatment includes getting better shoes to absorb shock. Orthotics can also help by providing arch support or offering heel cups. Sometimes, a cast can be made of the foot to provide a custom made orthotic. This is expensive and takes a while, but in extreme cases, it is worth the expense. The doctor may also advise night splints. In some cases, it is necessary to unbind the ligaments directly through surgery. Women are most likely to contract this, but it is possible for anybody with damaged Achilles tendons or those with low arches and flat feet. Do not ignore the condition if plantar fasciitis is suspected because allowing it to continue can cause the damage to become permanent, which will change the way that the individual walks and can also result in a number of other painful conditions to deal with as well. Take the necessary course of treatment and stop the problem before it gets worse.