Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis ( "PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") 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.

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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.

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What causes plantar fasciitis?

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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.

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What are the symptoms?

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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.

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How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?

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Your doctor will check your feet . He or she will also ask questions about:

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  * 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.

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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.

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Treatment

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  * When you come to Foot Support with a prescription for treatment of plantar fascitis you will be scheduled for a one hour initial visit. You will be given a thourough biomechanical evaluation and your treatment plan will be discussed in full detail starting with the cause of your pain, specific shoes, activities and specific treatment modalities, such as foot orthotsis, night splints, stretching, icing, ect.

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  * We find that plantar fascitis is often not treated correctly and/or is undertreated leading to a problem that lasts months or even years longer than it should.

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  * Understanding the mechanics of plantar fascitis is the first step to recovery. There is no one "treat all" modality for eliminating  plantar fascitis pain. Although, at Foot Support, we do not believe pain is normal and with a personalized treatment plan we have found most first time plantar fascitis patients get relief within six to eight weeks.

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  * Obviously, if you are a long time  plantar fascitis sufferer, your original problem may have progressed to a more serious condition. We are still able to help, although, your healing time may be prolonged secondary to the complications of repetetive stress on your foot and ankle.