Having plantar fasciitis can be a painful and debilitating experience, especially if it is a long term condition. Luckily, there are diagnostic criteria that can help you determine whether or not you have this ailment. By following these steps, you can find out if you are suffering from it and what treatment options you have available.
Symptoms
During a plantar fasciitis episode, the patient usually has pain when walking and bending the ankle upward. In addition, there may be pain anywhere along the plantar fascia. The patient’s symptoms may deteriorate after periods of rest or after intense activity.
The most common treatment for plantar fasciitis is a corticosteroid injection. The doctor will also perform a physical examination. Some patients require X-rays to rule out other problems.
Some of the causes of heel pain are ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause inflammation, which can lead to stabbing or burning pain in the area of the heel.
In addition to a medical history, the doctor will examine the patient’s foot. He or she will look for signs of plantar fasciitis or other problems. For example, if the patient has very high arches, this can increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis. A thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, stretches from the heel to the toes. If this band is tight, it can put extra pressure on the arch.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include intense pain in the area of the heel. The pain may worsen after an activity. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to consult a doctor.
A plantar fasciitis diagnosis is based on a history of the symptoms, a physical examination, and a physician’s clinical judgment. In addition, imaging tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis. For example, an MRI scan can confirm the presence of plantar fasciitis.
Often, a physical exam is enough to make a diagnosis. An x-ray can rule out other causes of heel pain. If a patient’s pain persists after treatment, a physician may consider an MRI. If there are calcifications or thickening of the plantar fascia, a doctor might also recommend an ultrasound.
Alternatively, a physician might diagnose plantar fasciitis by the location of the pain. In patients with plantar fasciitis, the pain is worse in the morning and when they first stand up. The pain can also get worse after exercising or after a long period of standing.
Treatment
Almost 10% of the population will experience a plantar fasciitis episode at some point in their lives. The condition is caused by repetitive stress to the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes.
Symptoms include stabbing pain in the heel area, which increases when using the affected foot. The condition may be severe enough to interfere with your daily life. It is a chronic ailment that can affect up to 2 million people in the United States each year.
Treatment for plantar fasciitis involves a variety of therapies. Nonsurgical treatments are typically the first line of defense. These therapies can be done at home or in your doctor’s office. Some of these techniques are exercise, medication, activity modification, and ice massage.
Medications such as corticosteroid injections can also be used to help relieve plantar fasciitis pain. These injections can be obtained from your own blood and are designed to reduce inflammation in the area.
Prevention
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain in the heel and arch of the foot. They can also include sharp pain when walking or standing. It is one of the most common orthopedic foot complaints. Symptoms may be relieved by wearing a supportive shoe, performing stretches, and using anti-inflammatory medications.
Treatment is based on medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests. If surgery is necessary, it is done through a small incision with local anesthesia.
Nonsurgical treatments are available to patients with mild to moderate cases. They include in-shoe orthosis, stretching, and corticosteroid injection. If the condition continues after two months, a surgical procedure may be needed.
Minimally invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis are therapeutic ultrasound and platelet-rich plasma injections. These treatments may be as effective as surgery, with a lower risk of complications.
Runners should always change their running shoes. Overpronation, a foot that rolls inward, increases the pressure on the arch. Runners should break their workout into intervals.
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