One common condition that commonly affects the bottom of the foot is plantar fasciitis. This inflammatory condition can cause pain and disability, particularly when it occurs in the heel area. If you’re interested in learning more about this condition, you can find additional information here.
Many veterans with this condition turn to medical professionals, such as doctors and podiatrists, for assistance in alleviating the discomfort. Common treatments include icing the affected area, taking pain medication, using braces or heel inserts in their shoes, and utilizing night splints. These remedies aim to provide relief from the pain experienced by veterans.
Symptoms
Individuals afflicted with plantar fasciitis often endure discomfort on the underside of their foot. This pain is commonly described as sharp and tends to be most severe following periods of inactivity.
It can also occur when you put weight on your feet, like standing or running. This causes repeated stress and stretching on the plantar fascia.
A doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis by reviewing your medical history and performing a physical exam. He or she will check for tenderness, redness, swelling and stiffness of the foot arch.
In some cases, an X-ray or MRI may be needed to determine if other conditions are causing your heel pain. Occasionally, a doctor will suggest surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated with rest, ice, and medication. In rare cases, steroid shots or injections into the heel may be needed to relieve your pain.
Causes
There are several causes of plantar fasciitis. The most common cause is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.
Depending on where the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, symptoms can include pain in the heel or arch of the foot. Inflammation may occur because of weight gain, poor shoe fit, overuse (such as running), or a medical condition that places excessive strain on the foot.
The VA rates flat feet and plantar fasciitis under the Schedule of Ratings for Musculoskeletal System, 38 CFR SS 4.71a, diagnostic code 5276. These conditions are rated on a scale of 0% mild to 30% pronounced, and 40% moderate to severe.
Treatment
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue that runs from your heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot, and it can be torn from overuse, sports or repetitive stretching.
Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes a series of stretches and strengthening exercises that you can do at home several times a day. Your doctor may also recommend wearing orthotics, which can cushion and elevate your heels to take pressure off your plantar fascia.
Your doctor may also recommend a procedure called shock wave therapy, which uses extracorporeal pulse technology (EPAT). This noninvasive technique delivers low-energy or high-energy shock waves to your feet.
Your VA doctor will assess the severity of your symptoms and assign you a rating. A higher rating can help you qualify for monthly benefits. However, you will need to provide evidence of the connection between your disability and your service-related activities.
VA Rating
If you’re a veteran suffering from plantar fasciitis, you may be eligible for a VA rating. These ratings are based on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms.
A plantar fasciitis va rating is a percentage of your service-connected disability that reflects the severity of your condition. A rating of 0% means that your condition does not impact your ability to work or perform daily activities; on the other hand, a 100% rating indicates that you are totally disabled.
Your plantar fasciitis va rating may be increased if you had previously received a low rating for your plantar fasciitis and it worsened while you were in military service. To prove this, you must submit medical records that show that your condition worsened due to service and not because of natural progression of the disease.
