This is the inflammation of the fascia, the thick band tissue running from the bottom of your heel towards the toes. Seek plantar fasciitis treatment from a podiatrist to get back on your feet with as little pain as possible.
Risk factors of plantar fasciitis inflammation
When the fascia is strained it gets tiny tears on its surface, triggering pain and inflammation. You are at a greater risk of plantar fasciitis if you are of the female gender or 40 to 60 years old or you have high arches or flat feet or you are obese, you have tight heel cords or Achilles’ tendons; if you have an unusual foot position, especially when you are walking, if you spend many hours standing daily, if you wear high-heeled shoes and if you wear thin-soled shoes which are worn out.
Symptoms
You experience pain at the front or center of the heel bone at the bottom of your foot. The pain is usually worse in the morning as you take the first step or pain while taking the first step after having rested or sat for a long time.
Plantar fascia tear treatment
There are a few therapies that the podiatrist might recommend to ease inflammation in your foot. Plantar fasciitis can be difficult to treat by yourself. If you experience heel pain or on the bottom of your feet, then you more than likely have plantar fasciitis inflammation or tear. For plantar fasciitis treatment, contact Dr.Eji Shobowale of DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. She can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Medication: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation and pain of the plantar fascia. It may be recommended you take several multiple doses for a few weeks.
Steroid injections: if the pain does not respond to NSAIDs, a steroid injection can be an option for you. The injection is done on the most painful part of your plantar fascia. It keeps inflammation down for about a month.
Physical therapy: a physical therapist can recommend contrast baths, massage, and ultrasonography to help you with long-term healing. Exercises are enforced to strengthen and stretch your plantar fascia, lower leg muscles, and Achilles tendon. If after physical therapy you don’t improve the doctor might recommend a procedure such as
a.Shock-wave therapy shocking the plantar fascia with sound waves. It helps the tissue heal by stimulating blood flow and the nerves stop sending the pain message.
b.Tenex procedure where a small cut is done and an ultrasound targets the scar tissue and removes it. This procedure will allow you back to your routine in just ten days.
c.Surgery to completely remove the plantar fascia of the heel bone. Surgery is recommended if the injury is stubborn and severe pain where other treatments do not help. If your doctor might ask you to wear a boot or splint and avoid putting weight on your foot for some time.
Dos when you have plantar fasciitis
It can take 6-12 months for you to get back to normal. However, you can quicken the healing process by
Rest because it keeps your weight off your foot until the inflammation goes down.
Ice is the easiest and cheapest way to treat inflammation. Make an ice pack wrap it with your towel. Put it on your heel 3 times a day, for twenty minutes each time.
Exercises and stretches stabilize your ankle, keep plantar fasciitis from coming back, and easing the pain. Do exercises on your lower leg to make the foot muscles stronger.
Use shoe inserts, orthotics, arch support to give the feet added support and extra cushion. You can use custom-made inserts which should be firmer for good arch support.
Use heel cups used when the heel pounds the ground pressure is placed on the plantar fascia. Heel shaped pads which help relieve tension by giving you extra cushion. They are cheaper and they work well.
Wear night splints because most people sleep face down, shortening of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia which is wrong. Your feet should be kept at a 90-degree angle, once the pain is gone you can stop wearing the night splints.
Walking boot or cast can be recommended to control the motion of the ankle. This is applied when the plantar fasciitis does not respond to other treatments.
