v
What Are the Symptoms and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis?
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis are more consistent.
They can be characterized by a consistent hobbling sensation, particularly in the morning.
The pain generally goes away after about 15 minutes, and patients can usually resume normal activity after a hot shower.
They may also experience pain while walking but the pain may not be present all the time.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available. Read on to discover what are the symptoms and treatment options for plantar fasciitis.
The pain subsides within 15 minute
A mild case of plantar fasciitis may be treated at home, but a moderate to the severe case may require you to take off your shoes.
Your doctor may also prescribe supportive shoes, orthotics, and stretching exercises.
If you continue to experience pain after fifteen minutes, you should see a physician for a diagnosis.
The initial phase of plantar fasciitis pain usually occurs when you first get out of bed and begin walking or running.
The pain may come back during the day after extended periods of sitting or standing.
It is estimated that two million people seek professional treatment for plantar fasciitis each year.
In some cases, the condition may be temporary and require only rest to resolve.
In the early stages of plantar fasciitis, self-care treatment is crucial for minimizing inflammation and pain.
Applying ice three to four times a day for fifteen minutes at a time will help relieve the inflammation and pain associated with the condition.
Although ice may be uncomfortable, it helps to wrap it in a damp towel so that it is less irritating to the skin.
If this treatment is ineffective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or a combination of the two, can help reduce the pain.
Other home treatments include night splints, which hold the arch of the foot and the Achilles tendon in a stretched position during the night.
This prevents the fascia from experiencing the sudden stress of weight-bearing.
A night splint can also be helpful in limiting pain during the day by relieving morning stiffness.
In addition to night splints, special orthotics can help prevent further damage to the fascia.
Arch supports can also help limit the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Stretching your calve
The first steps out of bed can be the worst part of the day.
Stretching your calves before you walk can help loosen the plantar fascia.
Tight calf muscles pull on the heel bone, pulling the plantar fascia taut.
By stretching your calves before you walk, you can avoid this condition.
Try stretching your calves by simply doing a few stretches on a daily basis.
A simple calf stretch is one of the most effective treatments for plantar fasciitis.
It will help release tension in the foot and calf and provide relief quickly and gradually.
The easiest way to perform a calf stretch is to stand 1 to 2 feet away from a wall.
Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and repeat it two or three times.
You can also use a towel under your foot to activate the intrinsic muscles in the foot and arch.
Other stretches are very effective in reducing pain from plantar fasciitis.
Performing seated stretches is especially helpful if you spend long hours in the office.
Your plantar fascia is not in use when you sleep, so stretching your calves during the night will help relieve your pain the following morning. To relieve your pain, do these exercises three to four times daily.
Other treatments for plantar fasciitis symptoms include strengthening your calves and reducing stress on the plantar fascia.
These treatments can be effective in reducing pain in the heel and can even improve the way you walk.
Several other treatments include the prescription of supportive footwear, temporary taping of the foot, and a night splint.
The most important treatment for plantar fasciitis is a thorough physical therapy program.
Injection therapy
Injection therapy for plantar fasciitis uses a synthetic form of cortisone to fight inflammation in specific areas of the body.
Think of cortisone as the potent cousin of ibuprofen or Tylenol. Cortisone injections for plantar fasciitis are administered through a thin needle.
The procedure is mildly painful, but a numbing agent is often included to make the process more comfortable.
There are many types of injections for plantar fasciitis.
These can include platelet-rich plasma, local corticosteroids, and Prolotherapy.
Many people who suffer from this condition have experienced some form of improvement in their pain.
Other methods are available but are not as effective. Injection therapy for plantar fasciitis symptoms is available in many clinics, so it is important to find one that suits your needs.
Pain in the morning is the most common symptom of plantar fasciitis, though this doesn’t happen in all patients.
Pain may begin at the beginning of activity but subside as the patient warms up.
The pain can be accompanied by stiffness and can become worse at the end of the day. I
t may even be mistaken for heel spurs. The problem is different from a heel spur, which is a bony growth on the heel.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a popular treatment for plantar fasciitis.
The doctor may prescribe multiple doses over several weeks. In more severe cases, a steroid injection is used.
The steroid is injected into the painful part of the plantar fascia, reducing the pain for a few months.
Other treatments may include physical therapy. If all other treatments have failed, your doctor may recommend surgery.
X-rays
While X-rays for plantar fascia diagnosis are often required in order to determine the cause of the heel pain, there are other indications for this procedure, including systemic inflammatory conditions.
Regardless of the reason, it is crucial to determine the proper diagnosis and treatment.
The first step is to make an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist.
During the initial consultation, your doctor will examine your feet and ankle to rule out other problems.
Physical exam: Your doctor will examine your calves and feet, and will press the painful heel point to rule out other conditions.
He will also check for high arches or tight calves, which may be signs of plantar fasciitis.
Your doctor may also perform x-rays of your foot. X-rays don’t detect plantar fasciitis, but they can rule out other foot problems.
X-rays: X-rays are a good way to rule out other problems, including the presence of bone spurs.
A doctor will also examine your heel for bone fractures, which may be present in the area. X-rays are also important in determining the type of treatment that is most appropriate.
While they are not necessary for diagnosing the condition, an X-ray is useful for determining the extent of inflammation.
Conventional radiography can also identify indirect signs of plantar fasciitis.
A radiograph may reveal bone morphological changes and infection
Symptoms of infectious fasciitis may look similar to those of a traumatic partial tear.
Osteomyelitis may show lytic lesions in the bone, as well as changes in the trabecular architecture.
A radiograph may also reveal stress fractures.
MRIs
Although 90% of patients respond to conservative treatment methods, some patients develop persistent, chronic heel pain.
MRIs can provide additional insight into the causes of your symptoms.
For example, MRIs may detect thickened fascia, heel spurs, and soft tissue edema of the plantar heel and fat pad.
MRIs can also reveal other conditions, such as retrocalcaneal bursitis, calcaneal apophysitis, and Achilles tendonitis.
MRIs can also detect chronic tears of the plantar fascia, which may mimic the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
A nonspecific finding may be a small calcaneal bone spur.
In patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, rupture of the plantar fascia is more likely to be an acute injury or an old one.
Most ruptures of the plantar fascia involve the proximal fascia, close to the calcaneal insertion.
Anterior tears may also be present, especially in cases of chronic plantar fasciitis.
MRIs for plantar fasciitis can help diagnose and manage the condition.
These tests are not required to diagnose plantar fasciitis, but they can provide more information about your condition.
MRIs can also help the doctor rule out other conditions, such as stress fractures or bone spurs.
Although previously thought to be the cause of heel pain, many people develop bone spurs. This means that you may have plantar fasciitis and not even know it.
Plantar fasciitis is common in people who are over 40 years old. Physical activities that place stress on the plantar fascia include running long distances, over-exercising, and flat-footed occupations.
However, the majority of patients develop plantar fasciitis due to a repetitive motion of pushing off.
If this pattern sounds familiar, you may have plantar fasciitis.
Conclusion
Tell us anything you know about ”What Are the Symptoms and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis?”
Remember your health is wealth
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
