Do you often experience discomfort upon waking up in the morning? Are you plagued by persistent foot pain throughout the day, particularly when engaging in activities such as standing or running? If so, you may be seeking effective solutions to alleviate these common issues.
If you’re experiencing pain in your heel and arch of the foot, it could be a result of plantar fasciitis. This condition is often seen in runners and individuals who are overweight. In most cases, plantar fasciitis will improve within 6-18 months without any medical intervention. However, if your symptoms continue or worsen, it’s important to seek professional assistance. Remember, timely medical help can prevent any further complications.
The plantar fascia is a connective tissue that stretches from the heel bone to the toes, providing support and shock absorption during walking or running. This band of tissue plays a crucial role in maintaining proper arch alignment. To learn more about the plantar fascia, click here.
It also provides support as you stand and bears the body’s weight as you put pressure on your foot. It is important to keep this strong tissue band healthy and working properly so you can run or walk without pain.
When this tissue becomes damaged or weakened, it doesn’t work as well and can cause inflammation that leads to pain in your heel and arch. You can speed up the healing process with simple stretches, rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include pain in the heel when you stand up, especially in the morning; pain that improves when you warm up but then returns again as soon as you stop moving; and stiffness in your heels or soles. In some cases, the pain can be severe and accompanied by swelling.
In most cases, treatment involves self-care at home including stretches, rest, ice, and NSAIDs. If these remedies aren’t effective, you may need to see a podiatrist.
Rest, ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first line of defense against plantar fasciitis. However, it’s important to use them in moderation so that they don’t weaken your fascia.
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel when you stand up, but it can happen with every step or movement. It usually begins after you’ve sat down for a while, and it’s worse when you first start walking or running.
Your doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis by taking a medical history, examining your feet and asking questions about your activity. They will also look for tender spots.
If the pain doesn’t subside with rest, ice and NSAIDs, your doctor will probably recommend a trial of cortisone injections or platelet-rich plasma. Injections aren’t always successful, but they can provide temporary relief when other treatments fail.
Surgery is a last resort for severe plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to other treatments. In some cases, a surgeon will make a small incision in the plantar fascia and release built-up tension.
Surgical techniques include endoscopic or traditional open surgery. The recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed.
The best way to deal with plantar fasciitis is to treat it early, when the condition is still manageable. The sooner you can relieve your symptoms, the sooner you’ll be back running pain-free and feeling great!
You might also like to read:
Plantar Fasciitis
How many years can plantar fasciitis last?
