Why Does It Take Plantar Fasciitis So Long to Heal?
Why does it take so long to heal?
In most cases, plantar fasciitis gets better with simple treatment methods, including rest and stretching exercises. However, if your heel pain persists for a long time, your provider may order tests to make sure it is not caused by another condition.
Heel spurs, or calcifications, are one of the most common consequences of untreated plantar fasciitis. These tiny growths can build up on the bottom of your foot, causing sharp pain with every step you take.
Usually, these spurs grow slowly over time without causing pain until they suddenly cause discomfort with the first few steps you take in the morning or after prolonged periods of standing. If you think that your heel pain might be plantar fasciitis, talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting a CT scan or an MRI to find out for sure.
Prevention:
Preventing plantar fasciitis can be done by avoiding activities that put stress on your heels and feet, such as running, dancing, and standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces. Also, maintaining a healthy weight to ease the pressure on your heels can help.
Stretching:
Regularly stretching your feet before and after exercise can prevent inflammation of the plantar fascia and improve your gait. This is important for preventing overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis and heel spurs that can develop over time, says Dr. Peden.
Wearing shoes that support your arch and cushion your heel can also help protect the plantar fascia from injury. Choose shoes that are appropriate for your activity level and are updated regularly to avoid wearing down the materials that absorb shock.
Surgery:
If simple treatments aren’t effective, your doctor may recommend steroid shots or injections into the plantar fascia to reduce pain. These shots aren’t a permanent solution, but they will lessen your symptoms and can help you return to activity more quickly.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace a damaged tissue that has caused the inflammation. These surgeries can be performed by a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon.
Nonsurgical therapies almost always resolve the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. These treatments include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), icing, and rest.
NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can reduce pain by reducing inflammation in your feet. Don’t use NSAIDs for more than 10 days in a row without consulting your doctor.
Rest:
The most important thing you can do to help relieve your plantar fasciitis is to rest your feet. You should take at least a week off from the activity or sport that causes your pain. This will allow your body to heal and recover from the stress it’s been under.
Ice the affected area:
Using ice packs to treat your plantar fasciitis is very effective, and can reduce the pain and inflammation for up to two weeks. You can use an ice pack that you cover in a towel or a frozen water bottle and then roll on the bottom of your foot.
You might also like to read:
Plantar Fasciitis treatment
How do you sleep with plantar fasciitis?
How do you stop a plantar fasciitis flare up?
