Do You Know the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Painful plantar fasciitis can do more than just take the spring out of your step. This condition can leave you completely grounded and unable to do the things you love. Plantar fasciitis is persistent pain that is felt in the bottom of the heel. The pain is actually radiating from a spot in the foot called the plantar fascia. This thick, web-shaped ligament is what connects the heel of your foot to the front of your foot. You can think of it as your natural arch-supporting shock absorber that makes it possible to walk. Looking at it that way makes it easy to understand why walking can become unbearable if you're living with plantar fasciitis.
Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Are you wondering if the foot pains you're experiencing could be plantar fasciitis? It can sometimes be hard to properly diagnose yourself because pinpointing exactly where the intense pain you're feeling is radiating from can be difficult. Here are some signs that the pain you're feeling could be a result of plantar fasciitis:
● You feel a burning or aching sensation at the bottom of your foot.
● The pain comes specifically from the bottom of the heel.
● You find that pain is at its worst at the start of your day.
● The pain increases after you've been sitting or relaxing for a while.
● Taking the stairs is very painful.
● The pain flares up following prolonged activity.
● The pain that you're feeling developed gradually over time.
● You're feeling pain in one or both feet.
● The pain you're experiencing is dull or sharp.
Most people who are living with plantar fasciitis don't necessarily feel the most severe pain while they are participating in activity or movement. The pain often intensifies once the activity stops. However, it is possible to feel the pain around the clock.
Who Experiences Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that primarily affects people beginning at around age 40. However, a person of any age can develop this condition. Women are slightly more likely to develop plantar fasciitis than men. Pregnant women will sometimes experience short-lived bouts of plantar fasciitis during the later stage of pregnancy.
Some lifestyle habits can put you at greater risk for developing plantar fasciitis. Obese and overweight people are at risk for this condition. The thought is that extra weight may place increased pressure on the ligaments in the foot. Long-distance runners and people who work "on their feet" all day also face an increased risk for developing plantar fasciitis.
Lifestyle isn't the only factor that increases a person's odds of developing plantar fasciitis. A history of foot problems could make you more likely to develop this condition. Common foot problems like very flat feet or high arches are linked with plantar fasciitis. Even having a tight Achilles tendon could contribute to your odds of developing plantar fasciitis. There was a time when it was believed that plantar fasciitis was caused by heel spurs. However, we have generally moved away from that line of thinking.
Don't Just Guess About Plantar Fasciitis
It's really important to confirm that you are suffering from plantar fasciitis instead of just assuming that this condition is behind the foot pain you're experiencing. Pinpointing the exact source of your pain will make it possible to get relief through an appropriate treatment path. A podiatrist can conduct specific tests to confirm or rule out plantar fasciitis. A full test for plantar fasciitis will include a physical evaluation of your foot, testing of your reflexes, balance checks, coordination checks and muscle-tone tests. It may be necessary to conduct an X-ray or MRI to make sure an underlying fracture is not causing your undiagnosed foot pain.
Get Proper Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
It's so important to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment if you're experiencing signs or symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The fact that this condition is so closely associated with runners often makes people who don’t run or exercise believe that they cannot possibly have plantar fasciitis. While it's true that this is one of the running injuries foot pain is caused by, you could still have plantar fasciitis even if you're not a runner.
Home remedies are often not enough to address the pain and underlying causes that go along with plantar fasciitis. In fact, relying on a home remedy instead of seeking proper medical treatment could be problematic because you could be doing more damage to your foot while the underlying cause of your foot pain goes unaddressed.
What Are the Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis?
There are several avenues for treatment for people who have plantar fasciitis. A podiatrist will be able to instruct you regarding special exercises that help to loosen muscles, stop heel pain and prevent further damage. A full-scale treatment may include everything from injections to prescription shoe inserts. There is also a chance that you may need plantar fasciitis surgery. Surgery is typically only reserved for severe cases where pain persists for six months to a year. The need for surgery can only be determined through the careful, ongoing diagnostic work of a podiatrist.
Do You Need Answers and Relief Regarding Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is not something that will resolve on its own. You will need to be proactive about booking an appointment with a podiatrist Mountain View residents use for foot care and treatments if you are living with foot pain that you suspect you could be plantar fasciitis. The good news is that you may be able to begin treatments that deliver relief right away. You can also begin the journey of coming up with a long-term solution for addressing your foot pain. Here at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care in El Monte CA, we will be able to help you get to the bottom of what is causing your foot pain even if plantar fasciitis is ruled out as a cause. Dr. Abdelmalak and our team are here to help! Don't spend one more day struggling with heel pain on your own. Book an appointment for foot health today!
