Plantar fasciitis the most common cause of pain at the base of a heel. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band of tissue (plantar fascia) that supports the arch of a foot is irritated and in the inflammatory condition.
Anatomy
The plantar fascia a long, strong, and thin ligament that lies directly beneath the skin at the base of a foot. This ligament connects the heel to the front of your foot and fortifies the arch of a foot.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is designed to absorb the pressure and effort that demand at our feet. But sometimes an exorbitant amount of pressure damages and tears the tissues. The natural responses of injuries are inflammation, which results from heel pain and stiffness by plantar fasciitis.
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Risk Factor’s for Plantar Fasciitis
Most of the cases, plantar fasciitis develops without concrete or specific reason. There are, many factors that can responsible for this condition:
- Tight calf muscles are hard to flex the foot and pull fingers are closer to the tibia
- Very pronounced arch
- Obesity
- Perpetual(repetitive) activity (running/sports)
- Heel spurs
Many people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs, these do not cause pain that causes plantar fasciitis. 1 in 10 people has heel spurs, but only one in 5% with heel spurs have pain in the affected foot. Because spur is not causing plantar fasciitis, the pain can treat without removing spur.
Symptom of Plantar Fasciitis
The most prevalent symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
Pain in the base of a foot near the heel.- Pain in the first steps of getting the bed in the morning, or a long period of rest, such as a long drive. The pain reduces after a few minutes of walking.
- Your physicians may ask your symptoms, and examine your foot. Your physicians will find these designations
- A pronounced arc.
- Area of maximum pain on palpation at the base of a foot, in front heel bone.
Pain that gets worse when you flex (dorsiflexion) your foot and your physicians puts pressure on the plantar fascia.
Limitation of ankle movement.
Diagnosis of Plantar Fasciitis
Your physicians may order imaging studies to avail confirm that the pain in your heel is caused by plantar fasciitis and not other factors.
X-rays-
It provides es clear images of the bones. Useful for ruling out other causes, such as osteoarthritis or fractures. The heel spurs can be optically discerned on an x-ray.
Other imaging studies-
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, not routinely used to diagnose of the plantar fasciitis.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Usually, the pain will ease in time. ‘Ligament’ tissue, heals very slowly. It takes several months or years to go. The following treatments may help speed recovery. A combination of treatments may help. The initial treatments are conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis.
Rest your foot-
Done as much as possible. Try to avoid running, excess walking, and standing.
Footwear-
Do not walk on hard surfaces. Choose cushioned heels (plantar fasciitis shoes) with shoes that maintain good arch support.
Heel pads and arch supports-
You can use various pads and shoe inserts to cushion the heel that arch of a foot. These will best if you put it in your shoes several times. The aim is to raise the heel about 1 cm
Pain relief-
Anesthetics such as paracetamol may ease the pain. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, naproxen is used. These are analgesics but additionally reduce inflammation and may work better than aesthetics. Rubbing a cream or gel that contains anti-inflammatory medication onto their heel is also helpful.
Frozen peas wrapped in a towel hold to your foot for 20 minutes may additionally avail to mitigate pain. Sometimes foot massager will help you to relieve pain instantly.
Plantar Fasciitis Exercises
Gentle stretching of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia may avail to relieve your symptoms. This is helpful because most people with plantar fasciitis have a marginal tightness of their Achilles’ tendon. The aim of these exercises is to loosen the tendons and fascia your heel. Your physicians may refer you to a physiotherapist for exercise guidance.