Plantar fasciitis is a usual foot issue that leads to heel pain and inflammation. If you're suffering from this condition, take heart in knowing that there are effective treatment options out there. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the different ways to treat plantar fasciitis and offer useful tips to keep the discomfort at bay.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes heel discomfort. It happens when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot, gets inflamed or irritated.
The plantar fascia is crucial for supporting the foot's arch and absorbing shock during activities like walking, running, or jumping. Overstraining or excessive use of the fascia can cause small tears, leading to inflammation and pain.
Several factors can lead to plantar fasciitis. The major cause is repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, often due to activities involving a lot of standing, running, or jumping. Other causes include improper footwear, tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons, and certain foot conditions like high arches or flat feet.
While anyone can get plantar fasciitis, certain risk factors can increase the chances of getting the condition. These include being overweight or obese, a job that requires prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces and engaging in activities that put excessive stress on the feet.
Pain in the bottom of the foot or Ventral aspect, can really affect your life. There is nothing quite like getting out of bed and feeling like there is a nail in the bottom of your foot. Plantar Fascia issues can feel this way. It is usually worse when you first stand up in the morning. But what is the Plantar Fascia? What are the Muscles in the Arch of the Foot?
The muscles in the Arch of the Foot are: Lumbrical Muscles, Abductor Hallucis, Flexor Digitorum Brevis, & Abductor Digiti Minimi Brevis
Muscles and tendons on the bottom of the foot
In the picture above, you can see that the plantar fascia is one of the muscles on the bottom of the foot. It also shows the most common area for a rupture to occur.
Recognizing the symptoms and getting a correct diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is crucial for effective treatment. Here's what you need to know:
Common symptoms of plantar fasciitis:
1. Sharp heel pain: The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is intense, stabbing pain in the heel, especially when taking the first few steps in the morning or after resting for a long time.
2. Heel tenderness: The affected area may be tender, with pain intensifying when pressure is applied to the heel.
3. Arch discomfort: Many people with plantar fasciitis feel pain or discomfort in the foot's arch.
How plantar fasciitis is diagnosed:
Your healthcare provider will diagnose plantar fasciitis by performing a physical examination and reviewing your medical history. They may also order imaging tests like an X-ray or ultrasound to rule out other potential causes of your pain.
How plantar fasciitis differs from other foot conditions:
Conditions like Achilles tendonitis or heel spurs can sometimes be confused with plantar fasciitis. However, there are key differences that help in accurate diagnosis, such as the location of the pain, specific symptoms, and your medical history.
The quick answer is the Plantar Fascia is a thick band of tissue that starts at the heel and runs to the ball of the foot. This tissue band is elastic in nature and helps to support the arch and bones of the foot. Basically, the plantar fascia gives stability to the foot.
If you want to learn more about plantar fasciitis, please watch this VIDEO
Plantar Fascia Anatomy
The quick answer is yes, but it hurts! Pain with walking is usually worse when you first get out of bed. The pain usually improves as you take a few steps. If you have a tear, it is better to immobilize the foot with a walking boot and use crutches to decrease the weight on the foot.
A plantar fascia tear can cause a lot of pain. It is not life threatening, but it can be life altering. A torn Plantar Fascia may limit daily activity which can lead to poor conditioning and weight gain. It will certainly limit you in any recreational or sport activities. It is important to get the correct treatment for the plantar fascia as soon as you can.
The quick answer is plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the bands of tissue. A tear is actually damage or small breaks in the fibers of the fascia plane. Sometimes, the plantar fascia tears and you feel a "pop" on the bottom of the foot. It is important to ice, immobilize, elevate and use crutches if this occurs.
The quick answer is the amount of your heel pain. There may also be a pain in the ball of the foot or pain along the arch of the foot. This pain is usually intense and localized. Foot or heel pain in the morning or after getting up and after getting up from sitting for a while. If you feel a "pop" on the bottom of your foot, you should be evaluated right away for a plantar fascia tear.
Initially after the injury, there may actually be swelling at the bottom of the foot. To read more about heel pain, please read exercises for the treatment of heel pain.
A symptom of Plantar Fasciitis tear is heel pain
While severe cases of plantar fasciitis may require surgery, non-surgical treatments are often effective in relieving symptoms and promoting healing.
Physical therapy is one such treatment. A trained physical therapist can provide exercises and stretches to help ease pain and improve flexibility. Physical therapy can also help correct any biomechanical issues that may be contributing to plantar fasciitis.
Besides physical therapy, orthotics and footwear modifications can be beneficial. Orthotics are custom-made shoe inserts that provide arch support and cushioning. They help distribute pressure evenly throughout the foot and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. Wearing shoes with a supportive arch and cushioned soles can also help relieve symptoms. JOI rehab uses a computer-based force plate to walk over to get a custom orthotic image of your biomechanics.
Keep in mind that non-surgical treatments may take time to show results. Consistency with exercises, wearing suitable footwear, and following your healthcare professional's advice are key to successful treatment.
Your first step is to reduce pain and inflammation. Plantar fasciitis home remedies include rolling the foot on a frozen water bottle. Initially, ice should be applied daily.
Physical therapy offers a vast array of treatment interventions to calm the inflammation.
Treatments may include:
Ruptured Plantar Fascia
The Graston Technique can help the inflamed tissue return to a more normal level of pain-free mobility.
To learn more about the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis and why you should not wait to see a doctor, please watch this VIDEO by orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Turner Vosseller.
When non-surgical treatments don't help, surgery may be recommended for plantar fasciitis. Surgery is usually considered when all other options have been exhausted.
There are several surgical procedures to treat plantar fasciitis. The most common one is plantar fascia release, where the plantar fascia ligament is partially cut or detached to relieve tension and promote healing. Another surgical technique is gastrocnemius recession, which involves lengthening the calf muscles to reduce stress on the plantar fascia.
Recovery and rehabilitation after plantar fasciitis surgery vary from person to person and depend on the specific procedure performed. Generally, patients may need to use crutches or avoid putting weight on the foot for some time after surgery. Physical therapy may also be recommended to regain strength and flexibility in the foot and ankle.
When the pain has improved, the next step of rehabilitation is to address flexibility and strength. In conjunction with our foot specialists, clinicians have developed specific treatment protocols to progress both the soft tissue /plantar fascia of the foot and the lower leg. The muscles and tendons of your calf play a big part in the success of your recovery.
To learn more about orthotics to treat this condition, please go to best arch support for plantar fasciitis.
Once your flexibility and basic strength are restored, it is important to stretch regularly to keep the calf muscles and plantar fascia lengthened and mobile. These stretches can help.
Find a step and lower the heel until feel a stretch in the calf in the back of the leg or bottom of the foot. Hold 30 sec x 3 reps.
Step calf stretch
Lean against a wall with 1 foot forward and the other one behind with the knee straight. Lunge forward until you feel a stretch on the calf in the back of the leg. Hold 30 seconds x 3 reps.
Wall calf stretch
While various treatment options are available for plantar fasciitis, prevention and self-care strategies are crucial to avoid the condition or prevent it from recurring.
Here are some tips to help prevent plantar fasciitis:
Proper foot care and stretching techniques can also help prevent plantar fasciitis:
Maintaining a healthy weight is another essential aspect of preventing plantar fasciitis. Excess weight puts added stress on the feet, including the plantar fascia. By maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise, you can reduce the risk of developing this painful condition.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections provide some patients with pain relief. Most insurances do not recognize this as a reimbursable treatment.
If you want to learn more about Plantar Fasciitis, you can also read these articles:
foot pain in the morning, plantar fasciitis pain & home remedies for heel pain.
Learn more about Plantar Fasciitis Here
Plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes heel pain, often results from inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia. While several treatment options are available, making simple lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in managing the symptoms and promoting recovery.
Choose footwear that provides adequate arch support, cushioning, and stability. Avoid high heels, flat shoes, or those with minimal arch support, as they can worsen the condition and increase discomfort. Orthotic inserts or custom-made shoe inserts may also help relieve pressure on the affected area.
Home remedies and pain management techniques can provide relief for plantar fasciitis. Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Stretching exercises targeting the calf muscles and the plantar fascia can improve flexibility and relieve tension. Additionally, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Alternative therapies like dry needling, massage therapy, and laser therapy have gained popularity as potential treatments for plantar fasciitis. Some people find these therapies to be very helpful.
We hope that this article has been helpful to you as a patient. JOI has a team approach to help you if you have foot pain. We have JOI Physicians at 5 locations in the Jacksonville and North Florida Area. To schedule for a New Patient Physician Appointment, please call 904-JOI-2000 or we have online scheduling on our home page.
JOI Rehab has 13 locations in North Florida. To schedule with JOI Rehab, please call the location or call 904-858-7045. JOI Rehab is now hiring! To find out about our current job openings, please follow this LINK.
