Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

Too much pressure over the fascia may damage or tear away the tissue and can be a cause of heel pain. It is also possible that when the plantar fascia gets overstretched or overused repeatedly, there may be irritation or inflammation of the fascia.

The risk factors that can make you more prone to developing plantar fasciitis include obesity, foot arch problems such as flat feet and high arch, activities such as long-distance running, ballet dancing and dance aerobics, occupations that necessitate walking or standing on hard surfaces for long period of time, and wearing shoes with poor arch support or thin-soled shoes.

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is stabbing pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel. The pain develops gradually and may involve either one or both feet at the same time. Pain is usually worse in the morning or may aggravate after standing up for a long time.

Plantar fasciitis can be diagnosed by examining your foot and checking for the signs of flat feet or high arches, tenderness, swelling and redness of the foot and stiffness or tightness of the arch in the bottom of your foot. An X-ray or MRI scan to rule out other causes of heel pain such as a stress fracture or pinched nerve may be ordered.

Most patients with plantar fasciitis are effectively treated with the following measures:

• Rest: Decrease or avoid the activities that worsen the pain.
• Ice: Apply ice pack over the painful area for at least twice a day for 10 – 15 minutes, for the first few days.
• Supportive shoes and orthotics: Your doctor may recommend you to wear shoes with good support and cushioning. Custom orthotics (shoe inserts) may also be helpful.
• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT): Following treatment, your osteopath may suggest an exercise program that focuses on stretching your plantar fascia and achilles tendon. These exercises may help to strengthen the muscles of lower leg.
• Physical therapy: Your physical therapist, in addition to exercises, may use application of athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot.
• Medications: Your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as they can reduce your pain and inflammation. Homeopathics can be injected directly into the plantar fascia which may offer pain relief and reduce inflammation.
• Night splints: Use of night splints is beneficial as it stretches the plantar fascia and allows it to heal.
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: During this procedure, sound waves are targeted to the painful area to stimulate the healing process in the damaged plantar fascia tissue.
• Surgery: Rarely, surgery to release the tight plantar fascia may be needed. However it is recommended only after all nonsurgical measures have failed.
• Preventive measures such as stretching exercise programs and footwear modifications can help prevent plantar fasciitis.