PLANTAR FASCIITIS
Plantar
Fasciitis: It is the most common condition that causes heel pain. Plantar fasciitis
is due to irritation and inflammation of the tight tissue that forms the arch
of the foot. The most common symptom is pain under the heel after a period of
rest, i.e. severe pain and inability to walk in the morning after getting up
from sleep. The same might happen after sitting for a long time and then trying
to walk. Interestingly the pain gets better after a few steps though it may not
go away completely. Again, the pain may
get worse with prolonged walking and standing. X ray may show a bony spur which
may develop in long standing cases of heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, but
it may not cause the symptoms.
Treatment
Options:
Not all of
these treatments are appropriate for every condition, but they may be helpful
in your situation.
1.Rest -
Avoiding the
precipitating activity; for example, take a few day off jogging or prolonged
standing/walking. Rest can reduce the
severity of pain and will allow the inflammation to begin to cool down.
2.Ice Packs - Icing will help to diminish some of the symptoms and control the heel pain. Icing is especially helpful after an acute exacerbation of symptoms.
3.Exercises
and Stretches - Are
designed to relax the tissues that surround the heel bone. Some simple
exercises performed in the morning and evening, often help patients feel better
quickly.
4.Anti-Inflammatory
Medications - Help
to both control heel pain and decrease inflammation.
5.Shoe
Inserts - Are often
the key to successful treatment of heel pain. The shoe inserts often permit
patients to continue their routine activities without heel pain.
6.Injection
therapy - In some
cases, corticosteroid injections are used to help reduce the inflammation and
relieve pain.
7.Removable
walking cast - May
be used to keep your foot immobile for a few weeks to allow it to rest and heal
and is used only for severe cases.
8.Night
splint - Wearing a
night splint allows you to maintain an extended stretch of the plantar fascia
while sleeping. This may help reduce the morning pain experienced by some
patients.
9.Weight
reduction – It
helps to reduce stress on foot and heel and thus help to reduce the severity of
pain.
