Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is the medical term used to describe an inflamed plantar fascia ligament. The plantar fascia is a thick, bowstring-like ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes and provides support for the arch of the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the plantar fascia ligament. Repeated stress on the plantar fascia can cause tiny tears in the ligament, which can lead to pain and swelling. The main causes of excessive stress on the foot include:
Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, but there are some individuals that are more at risk than others. Some risk factors are related to body type, age, gender, and activity level.
Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed by a physical examination of the foot. Your physician will check from pain and tenderness, observe you stand and walk, evaluate muscle strength and nerve health, as well as use x-rays to confirm nothing else is causing your heel pain.
Most people with plantar fasciitis respond well to conservative treatments, such as resting, icing, and stretching. Conservative treatment can take several months before the pain effects of plantar fasciitis subside. Additional conservative treatment options include:
If conservative measures do not relieve the symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis, your physician may recommend surgery. In general, surgery is only considered if you continue to have severe, disabling symptoms, for at least 6 to 12 months, despite careful attention to home and other nonsurgical treatments. The surgical procedure involves cutting part of the plantar fascia ligament to release tension and relieve inflammation. After surgery, you will be required to wear a non-weight-bearing cast or brace for 2 to 3 weeks while the tissue heals. You will being a gradual strengthening and flexibility program.
Plantar Fasciitis: Stretching, Massaging, and Taping Technique
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