Put An End To Plantar Fasciitis
A wide range of causes can lead to foot pain. Common reasons include wearing shoes that are too tight, standing for extended periods, and even experiencing a foot injury. Sometimes, simply resting can resolve the issue. However, for many people, foot pain that doesn’t go away can impact activity levels and even quality of life. One common type of discomfort that affects many individuals is plantar fasciitis. While changing footwear can help, the following can serve as a better long-term solution.
Understanding plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a specific condition that impacts the plantar fascia ligament. The tissue is located on the bottom of the foot and connects between the heel and the front of the foot. The plantar fascia ligament supports the arch in the foot and also serves as a shock absorber for nearly all foot-related activities, such as running or walking. Plantar fasciitifs a condition where the ligament experiences too much pressure. The most common symptom is inflammation, which can manifest as heel pain and stiffness.
Plantar fasciitis causes
Repetitive overuse is the most common reason that a person will develop plantar fasciitis. Any individual can develop the condition, but people with high activity levels, like athletes or even a person who spends extended periods on the feet or walking, may also experience discomfort. In some cases, underlying factors can contribute to developing plantar fasciitis, which includes obesity, having tighter calf muscles with limited upward flexion in the foot, and even having very high arches.
At-home plantar fasciitis treatments
A common recommendation given to people with plantar fasciitis is to seek better footwear. Specifically, orthopedic shoes are encouraged, but the styles are usually less flattering. More importantly, simply switching footwear doesn’t correct the underlying problem. At-home therapies such as icing the injured foot, taking over-the-counter medications, and engaging in therapeutic stretches can also offer improvement in symptoms. In more serious cases, physical therapy may be recommended so that patients can learn how to properly stretch the plantar fascia as well as the Achilles tendon to yield stronger lower leg muscles.
Medical interventions
In more severe cases, at-home treatments or even physical therapy may not be enough to correct the discomfort plantar fasciitis causes. For these individuals, platelet-rich plasma injections or even shock wave therapy can be used to heal the affected areas. Some people may benefit from ultrasonic tissue repair, a minimally invasive procedure that removes damaged tissue from the foot. Although rare, some individuals may require outpatient surgery if previous treatments haven’t worked.
Getting back to normal
Foot pain may be common, but people shouldn’t have to suffer every step. Most people with plantar fasciitis can recover using at-home methods. However, more severe cases may require in-office medical treatments or even surgery to correct the damage. If at-home solutions don’t yield measurable results, consider speaking with a podiatrist to seek long-term relief.
