subject: Plantar Fasciitis- The Causes And Treatments [print this page] Do you experience heel pain when you walk or run? Does this pain stop you from being active? If so, you may be suffering from a chronic ankle condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common type of heel pain and affects millions of people every day. There are several different causes for this condition and a few different treatments that your podiatrist may recommend to treat it.
Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia, the tough band of tissue that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot, becomes strained. This strain will then lead to inflammation and swelling that will cause nagging pain for you. Here are some of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis:
*High arches. Having high arches can put an additional strain on your feet and your plantar fascia. If you know that you have high arches, you should make sure you are wearing orthotics or shoes that fit you correctly.
*Overweight. If you are overweight, the additional weight will put a strain on your feet and can cause plantar fasciitis to develop.
*Excessive walking, running or standing. Being on your feet for a long period of time will put excessive strain onto your ankles. Doing this on a daily basis can lead to plantar fasciitis over time.
*Poorly fitting shoes. One of the most common mistakes people make is to wear shoes that do not fit them correctly. If your shoes do not provide the right support, you will be at a greater risk for plantar fasciitis.
Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis
Depending on the severity of your case, there are a few different options for treatments. There is no single treatment that will work for everyone and it is important to have a discussion with your Oakbrook podiatrist to go over your options and see what treatment is recommended for you. Here are a few of the most common treatments for plantar fasciitis:
*Stay off of your feet. This is the simplest solution. If you have a mild case, this may be all that is needed for your symptoms to go away and for you to feel better. If there are specific activities that are causing you pain, it can be helpful to stop these activities.
*Choose shoes that fit. If your shoes don't provide the correct amount of support, it is imperative that you find shoes that do. Your podiatrist may also give you customized orthotics that will help evenly distribute the weight of your foot.
*Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave therapy has become a popular treatment option for plantar fasciitis within the last decade. This therapy is designed to stimulate healing in the heel and has proven successful in the past.
To learn more about plantar fasciitis or to schedule an appointment, contact your Dupage County podiatrist today.
