Plantar Fasciitis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. This disorder is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a broad band of tissue that runs the length of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes.

Often, stabbing pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, and it usually flares up with your morning steps. Generally, walking around helps to reduce the discomfort; however, standing for extended periods or standing immediately after sitting down can cause it to return.

There is no recognized cause of plantar fasciitis. Runners and overweight individuals are more likely to have it.

Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the band of tissue, or fascia, that extends from the base of your toes to the bone of your heel. It lessens shock and cushions the arch of the foot during walking.

Tension and stress on the fascia may cause tiny rips. The exact cause of plantar fasciitis is unknown in many cases, although recurrent ripping and straining of the fascia can aggravate or inflame it.

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Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis

The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are as follows:

• Heel pain.
• Pain in the arch of your foot.
• Stiffness.
• Swelling close to the heel.
• A tight Achilles tendon.

Plantar fasciitis usually manifests as a painful feeling in the heel or down the sole. The level of discomfort may change based on what you're doing and the time of day. You might feel any of the following types of pain:

• Pain when you get up from a sitting or sleeping position. Most of the time, the pain goes away after a little stroll.
• A constant, dull pain
• A sharp or stabbing pain that comes up when you place weight on your heel or use the affected foot.
• While moving or exercising may temporarily ease your discomfort, as soon as you stop, it usually gets worse.
• Increased pain after sitting or sleeping, or when you get up in the morning.

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Risk Factors Of Plantar Fasciitis

Although there are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis, it can also occur for no apparent cause. Among them are:

• Age: The age range where plantar fasciitis cases are most common is between 40 and 60.
• Certain kinds of exercise: Exercises like long-distance running, ballet, and aerobic dance that strain your heel and the tissue connecting it can cause plantar fasciitis.
• Foot functions: The way your weight is distributed when standing could be altered by flat feet, high arches, or even an odd gait pattern, which might strain the plantar fascia more.
• Obesity: Your plantar fascia is under more strain when you carry extra weight.
• Occupations that keep you on your feet: Workers in factories, classrooms, or other settings where they must spend much time walking or standing on hard surfaces may be more susceptible to plantar fasciitis.

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Diagnosis Of Plantar Fasciitis

To diagnose plantar fasciitis, a physical examination, and your medical history are used. Your physician will assess your foot and search for any areas that hurt. The location of your pain may assist in determining its origin.

Imaging tests

Testing is typically not necessary. Your doctor might suggest an MRI or X-ray to rule out other conditions, including a stress fracture, as the cause of your pain.

Sometimes an X-ray will show a bone fragment sticking out of the heel bone. This is known as a bone spur. These bone spurs were previously surgically removed because they were thought to be causing heel pain. Many people with heel bone spurs, nevertheless, do not have heel pain.

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Treatment Of  Plantar Fasciitis

Using cold packs, stretches, and modifying or avoiding strenuous activity are common conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis. It takes most patients a few months to recover.

Medicines

Over-the-counter medications including ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can mitigate the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. 

Therapy 

For symptoms, physical therapy or specific equipment may be helpful. Potential therapeutic approach:

• Physical therapy: You can strengthen the muscles in your lower legs and stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon with the help of a physical therapist. Additionally, a therapist could teach you how to use athletic taping to support the bottom of your shoe.
• Night splints: Your care team may suggest that you wear a splint that extends your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon at night to promote stretching while you sleep.
• Orthotics To disperse the strain on your feet, your healthcare physician may offer orthotics, which are custom-fitted or off-the-shelf arch supports.
• Walking boots, canes, or crutches: To keep you from shifting your foot or from putting all of your weight on it, your healthcare professional may suggest you use one of these for a short while.

Surgery

If, after several months, more cautious approaches prove to be unsuccessful, your healthcare professional might recommend:

• Injections: Steroid injections straight into the affected location can provide temporary pain relief. Taking large amounts is not recommended as this could weaken your plantar fascia and cause a rupture. Your blood platelet-rich plasma may be injected into the painful region to help with tissue restoration. Using ultrasonography to guide the needle during an injection can help ensure accuracy.
• Shockwave therapy Used Outside the Body: Sound waves are sent toward the site of the heel discomfort to aid in healing. This is used for chronic plantar fasciitis in cases where less invasive treatments have not worked. While the efficacy of this therapy has not been established regularly, positive outcomes have been shown in multiple trials.
• Tissue repair with ultrasound: With the help of ultrasound imaging, a needle-like probe is inserted into the injured plantar fascia tissue using this minimally invasive technique. After that, the injured tissue is broken up by the probe tip's fast vibrations and suctioned out.
• Surgery: Surgery is rarely required to separate the plantar fascia from the heel bone. Usually, it is only a possibility if all other forms of treatment have failed and the pain is severe. It can be performed by a little incision under local anesthesia or as an open operation.

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Prevention Of Plantar Fasciitis

The simplest way to prevent plantar fasciitis is to not use your feet excessively. In general:

• Stretch both before and after working out.
• Allow your feet time to rest and heal after intense activity or exertion.
• Wear supportive shoes.
• Don’t walk barefoot on hard surfaces.
• Replace your trainers after 250–500 miles of walking or jogging in them, or every six to nine months.
• If you have a medical condition that makes you more susceptible to plantar fasciitis, you might not be able to prevent it.

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Complications Of Plantar Fasciitis

Untreated plantar fasciitis can result in chronic heel pain that makes daily tasks difficult. To try to prevent plantar fasciitis discomfort, which can cause issues with your feet, knees, hips, or back, you probably need to modify the way you walk.

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