What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful swelling of the thick tissue at the base of the foot, called the plantar fascia. It is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue which covers the bones at the bottom of the foot. It originates from the calcaneum bone that makes up the heel, and fans out towards the toes covering the bottom of the foot. Its main function is to provide protection to the foot from bottom side by acting as a shock-absorber and as an arch support.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fascitis can affect persons of all ages, but it usually affects people in the 40 to 70 years age group. It is largely caused by age related changes which occur in this group.

After losing its elasticity and the thick fat padding of sole, the plantar fascia becomes prone to injuries after repetitive work like walking strenuously or doing exercises, causing swelling and pain in the heel.

Some conditions of the foot like Flat Feet and High Arched Feet also make a person prone to suffer from plantar fascitis. Diabetes and obesity are also thought to related factors. Among younger people, plantar fasciitis is seen commonly in athletes who exercise a lot, resulting in repetitive micro trauma in the feet.

What Are The Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis?

A person with plantar fasciitis may experience the following:

• A sharp pain in the bottom of heel especially when taking the first step in the morning .
• Pain that starts in the heel and radiates towards the toes.
• The severity of pain may gradually decrease as the day passes.
• If the patient rests during the day, the pain improves, but as soon as he/she bears weight on the foot, pain occurs again.
• Pain which worsens with prolonged walking or standing on barefoot, especially on hard surfaces.
• Some patients may limp, or prefer to walk on tip toes.
• Mild swelling and redness of the heel.
• If the heel is slightly pressed, it is greatly tender.
• The foot is also tender if the patient moves the toes upward away from the floor.

What Are The Standard Treatments For Plantar Fasciitis?

The treatment of plantar fasciitis can include the following measures:

• Avoid walking bare foot and walking on hard surfaces.
• Take shorter steps during walking.
• Avoid jogging and other strenuous exercises.
• Stretching exercises of the calf muscle.
• Use of good footwear and Orthotics.
• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are also used along with foot exercises.
• Some patients are administered steroid injections for relief of pain but the injection itself can be very painful.

If the above methods of treatment are not satisfactory, then surgical intervention may be necessary to release the tight and inflamed fascia.