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
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually made by history and physical examination.
Sometimes an x-ray shows a bony spur from the heel bone. These are blamed for the pain but recent evidence show they are harmless.
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.