Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, especially among distance runners, but it can affect anyone. If you’re experiencing heel pain, Ebram Abdelmalak, DPM, can help you get back on your feet at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care in El Monte, California. To schedule an appointment, call or use the online booking tool.
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain in the bottom of your heel. It results from inflammation in your plantar fascia, the thick, fibrous band of tissue that connects your heels to your toes.
Your plantar fascia supports the arches of your feet and acts as a shock absorber when you walk, run, and jump. They’re pretty durable, but if you put enough stress on your feet, the ligament can develop tiny tears, leading to irritation or inflammation.
Plantar fasciitis is common among distance runners. If you’re a runner, you’re more likely to develop the condition if you don’t alternate running with other forms of exercise.
Plantar fasciitis can affect you regardless of your activity level. You’re more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you put excess stress on your feet for any reason. This may happen if you’re overweight or obese, your job requires you to stand for hours on end, or you don’t wear appropriate supportive shoes.
The condition is most common between the ages of 40 and 60. Your risk increases if you naturally have flat feet or high arches. That’s because these foot structures cause you to put excess pressure on your heels.
Plantar fasciitis usually affects one foot, but it can affect both feet at the same time. The most common symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the sole of your foot. Usually, plantar fasciitis pain is most noticeable when you first get out of bed and take your first steps of the day and then fades.
In its early stages, plantar fasciitis pain gets worse after exercise, but not during it. You may be tempted to ignore plantar fasciitis if it doesn’t affect your routine. However, the pain gets worse without treatment, and you may eventually experience symptoms whenever you stand or walk.
Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve within a few months with conservative treatment. Dr. Abdelmalak may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, orthotic shoe inserts, physical therapy, and resting and icing your foot.
If your pain persists, he may recommend injections of steroid medication, laser therapy, or a whirlpool treatment to soothe your symptoms and promote healing.
To help you heal from plantar fasciitis and prevent it from coming back, you may need to change your exercise routine. This can include mixing high-impact exercises like running with low-impact exercises like swimming and cycling, which put less pressure on your feet.
Schedule an appointment at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care online or over the phone today.
