Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain, affecting about 10% of the population. It is a relatively common problem that can be a challenge to treat on your own.
This painful condition can be addressed by a foot doctor. Learning more about the causes and your treatment options can help you to find relief from the foot pain.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
In short, this condition is an inflammation problem. The foot contains a band of tissue, the Plantar Fascia, that runs the length of the bottom of the feet. This tissue is responsible for connecting the heel to the toes. When it becomes overly stretched, the foot becomes inflamed and the heel gets painful and tender.
What Causes This Condition?
This condition commonly afflicts people that run regularly, but also people that are overweight. It can also affect people that do not have shoes with the right support. The Plantar Fascia acts as a shock absorber for your arches and feet.
When stress and tension become too great on the Plantar Fascia little tears can occur. Those tears cause inflammation which results in foot pain when you step. The pain can be especially noticeable when you take your first steps in the morning.
At-Risk Groups
Experiencing foot pain can happen for a lot of reasons like injuries, foot and ankle conditions, and, of course, Plantar Fasciitis. If you are experiencing foot pain and fall into one of these categories, it may be Plantar Fasciitis:
It is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60
If you participate in activities that put a lot of stress on the heel you may be at a greater risk
How you walk can cause this condition: If you are flat-footed (feet have low arches or no arches) or have a high arch, you may be at an increased risk
Professions that require constant standing and walking on hard surfaces can also contribute to the development of this condition
Excess weight is also a contributing factor to developing this condition. If you fall into any of the above categories, you should contact a foot care specialist that can help you determine if your foot pain is a result of Plantar Fasciitis.
Treatment Options
The one thing that will certainly cure this condition is to stay off your feet, around the clock for about 6 weeks. While that is not possible for most people to stay off their feet for 6 weeks, there are treatments that can help. A foot and ankle center can prescribe the right treatments.
Special braces can be used while you sleep to help heal the tears and reduce the inflammation to control the pain. Physical therapy can also greatly assist with recovery, as can shoes with arch supports. Explore more potential treatment options while consulting with your foot and ankle specialist.
If you are suffering from foot pain, the best way to get it under control is to see a foot doctor. Make an appointment today to get on the road to pain-free steps.
