Plantar Faciitis

Posted: November 1, 2017 10:35 am

 

Plantar fasciitis (say “PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus”) is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling.

Plantar fasciitis can be treated by wearing splints during the night to help stretch the plantar fascia, receiving an injection of cortisone, wearing custom made orthotics to support the arch, physical therapy and stretching.

Plantar fasciitis most often occurs because of injuries that have happened over time. With treatment, you will have less pain within a few weeks. But it may take time for the pain to go away completely. It may take a few months to a year.

Stay with your treatment. If you don’t, you may have constant pain when you stand or walk. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner your feet will stop hurting.

Did you know???  Your big toe joint carries 60% of the body’s weight while walking. Are you suffering from the following symptoms: a firm bump on the outside of the foot at the base of the big toe, swelling, redness, or pain, restricted motion of the big toe? A common misconception is that a bunions is a growth instead; they are the result of misalignment of the metatarsal phalangeal, a.k.a. the big toe joint. Tailor’s bunion, also called a bunionette, is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone at the base of the little toe. The metatarsals are the five long bones of the foot. … Tailor’s bunions are not as common as bunions, which occur on the inside of the foot, but they are similar in symptoms and causes. Facts: Without treatment, bunions will get worse.

Conservative treatment plans include taping and padding the bunions to release stress on the toe joint and reduce pain. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend the use of anti-inflammatory medications and cold packs that will help reduce inflammation. A local injection of cortisone at the base of the big toe helps to further reduce inflammation. Orthotics offer relief to many patients.

During your visit you will experience a complete foot check that includes looking for skin melanomas which can occur due to sun exposure. We offer same day scheduling for your convenience. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment.

 

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