Plantar Fasciitis
Description
The classic description of plantar fasciitis is heel pain.
Symptoms
Symptoms for plantar fasciitis usually is pain at the first steps of walking after long periods of rest. The most pain occurs at the first few steps of the day.
Treatment Options
Treatment begins with proper stretching, and physical therapy. These can be reviewed in detail with your local podiatrist where he can show you how to perform them correctly, and how often. Sprinting is another conservative care that can be utilized, as well as use of orthotics. Steroid based injections can also be used to decrease the inflammation and the pain in the area, providing instant relief. If all conservative measures fail, then surgery is an option. It is best to contact your podiatrist during the onset of symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the pain worst in the morning at the first step?
Its best to think of the the plantar fascia as the bowstrings on a bow. When you are sleeping, your feet have no pressure on them, and therefore the bowstring is able to contract. When you place your foot down on the ground, the leads to a stretching of the fascia for the first time in hours, which leads to tension and pain.
Why do I have heel pain if I am doing calf stretching exercises?
The fascia extends from the ball of the foot to the heel then progresses behind the heel and into the calf muscle. Therefore because of this connection, calf stretching can lead to pain in the heel, as it is also pulling on that part of the tissue. Conversely, doing calf stretching exercises can help with the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Is this what I have?
This is just a one of the thousands of possible issues our feet can have. Unfortunately many of the symptoms are similar for many pathologies, pain being one the most common symptom of all. Therefore it is imperative to see a professional as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and the proper treatment.