Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
- Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, which runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. 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. The pain usually gets better after walking around for a few minutes. It may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position.
Causes
- Repeated strain over time can create tiny tears to the plantar fascia. For example, flat feet, excessive pronation, overweight, poor shoe gear and high impact exercises can cause microtrauma the plantar fascia, resulting in inflammation of the tissue itself.
Symptoms
- Stabbing pain on the bottom of the heel
- Pain with your first steps after long periods of rest
- Pain after standing and walking for long periods of time
Treatment
- Proper shoe gear, such as running shoes with motion-control can help the condition. Customized orthotics can provide a long-term solution by preventing excessive pronation and providing arch support, therefore decreasing strain to the plantar fascia. In addition, physical therapies, taking anti-inflammatory medicine, or injections are sometimes indicated.
