What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that is present at the bottom of the foot. It runs from the heel bone to the toes and forms the arch of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
What are the Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia functions as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot. Excessive pressure over the fascia may strain and tear the tissue, causing heel pain. Repeated overstretching or overuse causes irritation or inflammation of the fascia.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
The most common symptom is stabbing pain on the bottom of the foot, near the heel. You may experience pain when you take your first steps on awakening and it slowly decreases, but may return after standing for a long period of time.
How is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?
Dr. Richardson will examine your foot for localized tenderness, swelling, redness, stiffness or tightness over the plantar fascia. Dr. Richardson may suggest an X-ray or MRI scan to rule out other causes of heel pain.
What are the Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis?
Most often, you are effectively treated with the following measures:
- Physical therapy: Dr. Richardson recommends a physical therapy program that focuses on stretching your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and the calf muscles of the lower leg.
- Supportive shoes and orthotics: Dr. Richardson may recommend shoes with stiff soled rocker bottoms for support and cushioning of the plantar fascia. Custom orthotics (shoe inserts) may also be helpful.
- Medications: Dr. Richardson may recommend over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Injections: Sometimes an injection of steroid or a biologic agent to help promote healing such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) may be recommended. Dr. Richardson recommends this be done under ultra-sound guidance and typically refers patients to a non-operative sports medicine specialist for further evaluation and treatment for this procedure.
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: During this procedure, typically a non-operative sports medicine specialist will use sound waves targeted on to the painful area to stimulate the healing process.
- Tenex or Tenjet: These minimally invasive and ultra-sound guided procedures to address inflamed tendons such as plantar fasciitis can be effective and Dr. Richardson will refer patients to non-operative sports medicine specialist for evaluation and treatment for these treatment options as well.
- Rest: Reduce or avoid the activities that worsen the pain.
- Ice: Apply ice packs over a towel on the painful area at least twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes for the first few days.
- Night splints: You may be prescribed night splints to stretch the plantar fascia and allow it to heal.
- Surgery: Occasionally, surgery may be suggested to release the tight plantar fascia.
