Plantar fasciitis is a prevalent foot condition that results in heel pain. The severity of symptoms can vary, ranging from mild discomfort to more intense pain.
Patients suffering from this particular condition commonly experience a sensation of sharp or dull pain in their heel. This discomfort is typically felt upon getting up in the morning, after prolonged periods of sitting, or during physical activity like exercise.
Rest
One prevalent ailment that leads to heel pain is plantar fasciitis. This condition typically affects individuals who spend prolonged periods on their feet, such as runners, or those who wear unsupportive footwear.
The pain is caused by inflammation in the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs from the bottom of your heel to your toes. It can also be caused by problems in other areas of your body, like arthritis or a heel spur.
Generally, the best treatment for plantar fasciitis is rest from the activities that make your foot hurt. You can also use icing or take anti-inflammatory medication to help ease your pain.
Ice
Ice is a common treatment for pain associated with plantar fasciitis. It works by reducing inflammation in the injured area and halting bleeding.
Ice should be applied to the heel and arch for 20 minutes three times a day. You can apply ice by placing a cold pack on the foot, or in an ice bag.
Using an ice bath or ice massage can also help relieve pain. To make an ice bath, fill a pan with water and add ice.
Most people with plantar fasciitis experience pain in the bottom of the foot near the heel. It usually begins with the first few steps in the morning and is worse when standing or climbing stairs. It may also be worse after sitting or exercise.
Stretching
Despite what you’ve heard, stretching won’t help with plantar fasciitis. In fact, it may actually make things worse.
When you stretch, you should move the joint in a smooth, slow, and controlled motion that isn’t jerky or bouncy. You should also breathe normally while you’re stretching.
If you feel a pulling feeling in your muscle when you’re stretching, it means you are pushing it too far. Back off to where you don’t feel pain and then hold the stretch for 10-30 seconds.
It’s also important to choose stretches that are sport specific. If you’re a runner, for example, it might be best to focus on stretching your calf muscles.
Orthotic Inserts
Orthotic inserts are one of the most common treatments for plantar fasciitis. They provide structural support for the foot & and can reduce pain from the condition significantly.
Custom orthotics are designed specifically for each foot based on scans or casts of the feet. These must be positioned accurately and tightly to the arch of the foot.
They must also be able to provide support under the arch of the foot, taking stress off the plantar fascia.
However, mass-produced shoe inserts available in drugstores may not be as effective for plantar heel pain as customized orthotics, a research review suggests.
Surgery
Most people who have plantar fasciitis find relief with rest, ice, stretching, and other nonsurgical treatments. However, about 10-15% of people with chronic plantar fasciitis that doesn’t respond to these treatments may need surgery.
This type of surgery is called a plantar fasciotomy, and it’s done with an endoscope (a tiny camera) and a surgical hook. It’s an outpatient procedure and takes 15-20 minutes.
Radiation therapy, also known as Topaz or ReleF, is another minimally invasive treatment for plantar fasciitis that works well for some patients who don’t get relief from other treatment options. It’s on the lower end of the cost and risks, has fewer side effects than injection therapies, and can be done without incisions or anesthesia.
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