Plantar fasciitis is one of the common causes of heel pain. Pain
is typically felt bellow the foot and can vary from mild to severe and can be
debilitating.
The structure involved is called the plantar fascia, a strong
ligament that attaches below the calcaneous or heel bone to the metatarsals of
the foot. The plantar fascia is responsible for maintaining the arch of the
foot, which is very important part of the foot's biomechanics. Because of this,
the plantar fascia is under constant pressure when standing, walking, or running. This
is also the reason why this structure easily gets injured.
When the plantar fascia gets strained, micro injuries form
which may irritate the ligament and cause swelling.
Pain is typically felt underneath the foot and is common among people
who are middle aged. This is due to wear and tear, use of improper footwear, being overweight,
or in athletes like runners, sprinters,and the like.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is intense or
stabbing pain felt underneath the foot when taking the first steps getting
out of bed or after sitting for long periods of time. Pain usually subsides after the
foot gets adjusted to the activity, but pain can be experienced after long
periods of standing, or when using the stairs.
Diagnosis
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, a physician or podiatrist
will check your feet and will observe you while you walk or stand. He or she
may ask you how active you are and what type of physical activities you do,
what time of day the pain occurs and how intensive the pain is. Another way of diagnosing
plantar fasciitis is by pressing directly into the center of the heel.
Treatment
There are several ways of treating plantar fasciitis without
resorting into invasive treatments. One commonly recommended treatment is the
use of a rigid orthotics which helps support the foot. Other simple management methods like wearing
the right type of shoes, which also provide arch support, and allowing the foot
to rest.
