3 Things You Should Know About Plantar Fasciitis

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Foot pain can be quite debilitating. Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 Americans have experienced foot pain at one time or another. The feet are prone to having many kinds of problems that cause pain. Some of the most common foot problems include bunions, blisters, heel spurs, corns, and ingrown toenails. Some painful conditions might warrant going to a foot doctor for treatment. One such condition is called plantar fasciitis.

Here are three things you should know about plantar fasciitis.

1. Know What Causes Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thin ligament on the bottom or your foot, located just beneath the skin. The primary job of this ligament is to support the arch in your foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia gets strained. When this happens, you will probably feel a sharp or dull pain in your heel.

Plantar fasciitis can happen in a number of ways including:

  • Excessive training that includes running or walking long distances
  • Standing for prolonged periods of time
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Wearing the incorrect footwear

Those who have flat feet or very high foot arches are more susceptible to getting plantar fasciitis.

2. Know When to See a Foot Doctor

If you experience pain in your heel, you most likely have plantar fasciitis. There are some ways to treat this foot problem at home. Some of them include stretching your arches, rolling a tennis ball under your foot, and applying ice to the bottom of your foot.

Physical therapy, massage, and wearing the proper footwear can all be helpful for treating plantar fasciitis. In some cases, however, these remedies won't work or be effective long-term. If you have tried everything, but are still experiencing pain, you should see a foot doctor.

3. Know Your Treatment Options

If at-home remedies or physical therapy doesn't work, you still have other treatment options. One of which is getting a steroid injection. The steroid will be injected directly into the plantar fascia with the goal of reducing inflammation and pain. Another type of noninvasive treatment is shockwave therapy, where the plantar fascia gets shocked with soundwaves in order to stimulate blood flow.

If these methods don't work, there are a few types of surgeries that can effectively treat plantar fasciitis. These surgeries include gastrocnemius recession, which involves lengthening the calf muscles in order to decrease strain on the ligament in the foot and Plantar fascia release, which involves partially cutting the plantar fascia.


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