Posted on January 12, 2008 in Latest News
Plantar Fasciitis basically is pain in the heel of the foot. Formerly known as “policeman’s heel”, is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot or biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation of the foot. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day.
Causes
This disease is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition. This condition often results in a heel spur on the calcaneus, in which case it is the underlying condition, and not the spur itself, which produces the pain.
Symptoms
- Sharp pain in the inside part of the bottom of your heel, which may feel like a knife sticking in the bottom of your foot
- Heel pain that tends to be worse with the first few steps after awakening, when climbing stairs or when standing on tiptoe
- Heel pain after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position
- Heel pain after, but not usually during, exercise
- Mild swelling in your heel
Treatment
For most people, the condition improves within a year of beginning conservative treatment. Nonsurgical treatments that may promote healing include:
- Night splints Your doctor may recommend wearing a splint fitted to your calf and foot while you sleep. This holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight so that they can be stretched more effectively.
- Orthotics Your doctor may prescribe off-the-shelf or custom-fitted arch supports (orthotics) to help distribute pressure to your feet more evenly.
- Physical therapy A physical therapist can instruct you in a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles, which stabilize your ankle and heel. A therapist may also teach you to apply athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot.
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