All About Feet: Plantar Fascitis

Nothing feels good when your feet hurt. I haven't talked much about foot pain in this blog, so I thought this week I would discuss some common causes of foot pain and the remedies that usually work for them.

One of the most common causes of foot pain is plantar fascitis. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot; it connects the bones of the toes to the heel bone. It's not uncommon for someone with plantar fascitis to have a stabbing pain in the bottom of the foot, near the heel. This pain can be at its worst one takes their first steps out of bed in the morning. What a way to start the day, right?

As with any condition, certain situations or activities put a person at increased risk for plantar fascitis. These risk factors include obesity, spending long periods of time standing up on our feet, some forms of exercise and dance, and issues regarding foot mechanics, such as a high arch or being flat-footed. It's important to seek treatment because long term complications can occur, including hip, knee, hip or back problems.

Your primary care physician can initiate the diagnosis and treatment of plantar fascitis. Podiatrists are well-versed in this area and often times patients ultimately end up in their care for this condition.

NSAID pain relievers are usually to manage pain short term...but long term treatment can involve physical therapy, orthotics, and night splints. If these treatments fail, there are surgical options; sometimes extra corporeal shock wave therapy is employed.

Sources: MayoClinic; Wikimedia

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