If you are currently experiencing plantar fasciitis or have been dealing with it for a while, there are various treatment options available to you. Whether it is your first encounter or you are a long-term sufferer, there are measures you can take to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Treatment options range from early stage treatments to more advanced methods for those with chronic plantar fasciitis.
Early stages
If you are experiencing heel pain, arch pain, and swelling, especially after walking or sitting for a while, you may be in the early stages of plantar fasciitis. These symptoms are often felt in the morning and evening. Seeking medical attention is imperative if you are experiencing any of these indicators.
Resting is the most effective approach to treating this condition. By allowing your body to recover and heal, rest helps reduce both swelling and inflammation. Additionally, you can also alleviate pain by employing ice therapy.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs of early stages of plantar fasciitis, see a physician as soon as possible. Your foot will be examined for tenderness, and imaging tests can be used to determine the extent of the damage. If you are in severe pain, you may need to have injection therapy to relieve the pain.
Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments, such as resting, wearing special shoes with arch support, icing your feet, and massage. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Chronic stages
Approximately two million people in the United States suffer from plantar fasciitis. This condition is often a result of overuse. It is characterized by the inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. The most common clinical symptom is pain in the lower medial calcaneus.
The plantar fascia is an important component of the normal biomechanics of the foot. It is responsible for supporting the arch of the foot. However, it is susceptible to degenerative irritation. This may lead to plantar overload, which can cause micro tears in the plantar fascia.
The authors hypothesized that the risk of plantar fasciitis is heightened in athletes who have pronated, low-arched feet. They also reported that the estimated impact rates are higher in runners with plantar fasciitis than those without. They concluded that the difference was probably due to the mechanism of pain protection in the calcaneous region.
To test this hypothesis, the authors evaluated the relationship between plantar fascia thickness and pain. The thickness of the plantar fascia was measured on US scans of the feet. The mean thickness of the plantar fascia was 2.9 mm in patients with unilateral heel pain.
Self-treatment
Having plantar fasciitis can be debilitating. However, there are simple self-treatment methods that can help ease the pain. These include stretching, physical therapy, and strengthening exercises.
Stretching is important because it helps strengthen the muscles and Achilles tendon. This can help the heel heal faster. You can use a tennis ball or golf ball to massage pressure points in the foot.
You can also get some relief by using a heat pack. These packs may be able to increase inflammatory cells in the area and provide short-term relief.
You may need to see a podiatrist. He or she can recommend the right shoes and insoles for your feet. You will want to avoid walking barefoot as much as possible, and try low impact sports.
When you are first diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your doctor will ask you a few questions to determine the cause. This includes what activities hurt your feet, where you have pain, and what your past health history has been. He or she will check your feet and look for other problems, such as stress fractures or bone spurs.
Treatment options
Getting treatment for plantar fasciitis can be important to prevent the condition from becoming worse. It can help reduce inflammation, and increase strength. It can also prevent the condition from recurring.
There are several different treatment options for plantar fasciitis. Some of the most common treatments include ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and physical therapy. It may take a few months for nonsurgical treatments to take full effect, but most people recover with conservative treatment.
Surgery can also be used to treat plantar fasciitis. For example, a gastroc tendon may be removed from the Achilles tendon to relieve pressure on the plantar fascia. In other cases, a cast or orthotic device will be placed on the foot to prevent movement during the healing process.
Another type of treatment is extracorporeal shock wave therapy. This uses high energy shockwave impulses to treat the area where the plantar fascia is painful. Unlike surgery, this type of therapy has minimal risk.
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