Plantar Fasciitis Video
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.
Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:
- Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation).
- You have high arches or flat feet.
- You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
- You are overweight.
- You wear shoes that don’t fit well or are worn out.
- You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.
What are the Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms?
Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps. But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.
If you have foot pain at night, you may have a different problem, such as arthritis, or a nerve problem such as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
How is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will check your feet and watch you stand and walk. He or she will also ask questions about:
- Your past health, including what illnesses or injuries you have had.
- Your symptoms, such as where the pain is and what time of day your foot hurts most.
- How active you are and what types of physical activity you do.
Your doctor may take an X-ray of your foot if he or she suspects a problem with the bones of your foot, such as a stress fracture.
When To Call a Doctor To End Plantar Fasciitis
If you think you might have plantar fasciitis, call a doctor. The earlier a doctor diagnoses and treats your problem, the sooner you will have relief from pain.
Call a doctor if you have:
- Pain that continues when you are not standing or bearing any weight on your heel.
- A heel injury that results in pain when you put weight on your heel.
- Heel pain that does not getter better after a week, even though you have tried rest, ice, over-the-counter pain medicine, and other home treatment.