Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick bank of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs across the bottom of your foot connecting your heel to your toes.

It causes stabbing pain in the heel that's usually worse after you take your first steps in the morning or after you've been sitting for a long time. It tends to improve with activity but worsens again after spending a long time on your feet.

Risk Factors

• Female
• 40-60 years of age
• Obese
• Often wearing high heeled footwear
• Spending many hours standing eg. teachers, workers
• Wearing worn out shoes with thin soles.
• Having flat feet or high arches
• Tight Achilles tendon

Treatment

The treatment is conservative and home based.

• Rest
• Ice fomentation
• Medications – A course of anti-inflammatory decreases pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.
• Physical Therapy – it includes a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen the lower leg muscles.
• Night Splint – A splint to stretch the calf and the arch of the foot is sometimes used. It holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position to promote stretching.

If your symptoms don’t resolve by conservative methods, your doctor may recommend the following:

• Steroid injection – they provide temporary relief as they are strong anti-inflammatory.
• Surgery – Very rarely needed
  An option only when the pain is severe and other treatments have failed. The plantar fascia is detached from the heel bone relieving the pain.

Prevention

> Lose weight
> Keep doing leg and foot stretches
> Choose shoes with good support. Avoid high heels
> Don't go barefoot on hard surfaces
> Avoid high impact activities like jumping, skipping, jogging.