What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in your heel? Or does your heel hurt after jogging or other recreational activity?

Heel pain is usually caused by Plantar Fasciitis: an inflammation of the fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone (calcaneus) to your toes.

The plantar fascia acts like a shock absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch in your foot. However, if tension on that bowstring becomes too great, minute tears can occur along with inflammation. The result is a stabbing or burning pain that usually worsens in the morning because the plantar fascia contracts overnight. Once the foot limbers up, the pain generally decreases, but may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position. In some cases, the foot may hurt with the slightest pressure, which makes walking difficult.

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Plantar Fasciitis generally gets better with the help of simple treatments for the pain and inflammation. It can take a year or more for the condition to clear completely, but about 90% of the people with Plantar Fasciitis improve after two months of treatment.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Plantar Fasciitis usually develops gradually, but it can come on suddenly and be severe. Although Plantar Fasciitis can affect both feet, it usually occurs in only one foot.

Symptoms:

• A sharp pain in the inside part of the bottom of your heel, when you put weight on it.
• An intense pain that tends to be worse with the first few steps after awakening, when climbing stairs or when standing on tiptoe.
• Heel pain after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.
• Heel pain after, but not usually during, exercise.
• Swelling in your heel.
  

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CAUSES OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS

The causes of Plantar Fasciitis can be:

• Physical activity overload
  Plantar Fasciitis is common among long distance runners. However, jogging, walking, or stair climbing also can place too much stress on your heel bone and the soft tissue attached to it. Even household exertion, such as moving furniture or large appliances, can trigger pain.
• Arthritis
  Some forms of arthritis can cause inflammation in the tendons in the bottom of the foot.
• Diabetes
  Plantar Fasciitis occurs more often in people with diabetes.
• Faulty foot mechanics
  Being flat footed, having a high arch or even having an abnormal pattern of walking can adversely affect the way you’re your weight is distributed when you are on your feet, putting added stress on the plantar fascia.
• Improper shoes
  Shoes that are thin soled, overly loose, or lack arch support and the ability to absorb shock can contribute to Plantar Fasciitis. If you regularly wear shoes with high heels your Achilles tendon – which is attached to your heel – can contract and shorten, causing strain on the tissue around the heel.

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RISK FACTORS

• Active in sports
  Runners, walkers and step aerobics enthusiasts are prone to heel pain because of added stress on their heel bone and attached tissue.
• Female
  More women tend to suffer from Plantar Fasciitis as a result of wearing higher heels and other less supportive shoes.
• Flat footed or have high arches
  People with flat feet may have poor shock absorption, which increases the stretch and strain on the plantar fascia. People with highly arched feet have tighter plantar tissue, which leads to poor shock absorption.
• Middle age or older
  Heel pain tends to be more common with aging as the arch of your foot begins to sag, putting stress on the plantar fascia.
• Overweight
  The added weight can break down the fatty tissue under the heel bone and cause heel pain.
• Pregnant
  The weight gain and swelling that accompany pregnancy can cause ligaments in your body – including your feet – to relax. This can lead to mechanical problems and inflammatory conditions.
• Spending the workday on your feet
  People with occupations that require a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, including factory workers, teachers and waitresses, can and do damage their plantar fascia.

COMPLICATIONS

Ignoring Plantar Fasciitis may result in a chronic condition that hinders regular activities. Patients can also develop foot, knee, hip or back problems because of the way Plantar Fasciitis changes the walking motion.

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TREATMENT

Non surgical treatment that may promote healing include:

• Night Splints
  This is a splint that is fitted to your calf and foot while you sleep. This holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a fixed position overnight so that the plantar fascia can be stretched and heal more effectively.
• Orthotics
  Custom fitted shoe inserts (orthotics), which are specifically molded to fit your feet, to help distribute pressure to the feet more evenly.
• Thermoskin Plantar FXT
  This device is designed to be worn at night to gently stretch the plantar fascia and allow it to heal. The Plantar FXT has the added benefit of heat therapy and increased circulation that may speed up the healing process.

All information provided here and elsewhere on the TJ Medical Web site is for informational purposes only. You should consult a Medical Professional for additional information and/or advice regarding a medical condition.

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