subject: Causes And Relief From Plantar Fasciitis [print this page] Do you experience pain in your heels when you walk or run? Does the pain sometimes keep you from being active? If the answer is yes, you may be suffering from a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common type of heel pain and affects millions of people. There are a variety of factors that can cause plantar fasciitis and a few different options that you and your podiatrist can pursue to treat it.
Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fascia occurs when the plantar fascia, the tough band of tissue that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot, becomes strained. This then leads to inflammation and swelling that can cause nagging pain. There are a few different causes for plantar fasciitis. Here are a few of the most common:
*Poorly fitting shoes. One of the most common causes of foot and heel pain is wearing shoes that do not fit you correctly. If your shoes do not provide the proper support, they are likely to put more strain on your plantar fascia and increase your chances for heel pain.
*Overweight. The heavier you are, the more strain you put on your feet with every step. Over time, this added stress can develop into plantar fasciitis.
*High arches. Having high arches can put an additional strain on your feet. If you know you have high arches, you should make sure that you wear properly fitting shoes or have your podiatrist prescribe custom-fitted orthotics.
*Excessive walking, standing or running. Being on your feet for a long time will put stress on your plantar fascia. If you are doing this on a daily basis, your risk for developing plantar fasciitis increases.
Options For Treatment
Depending on how severe your case is, there are a few different options to reduce your symptoms. There is no singular treatment that works for everyone so it is important to consult with your podiatrist to go over your options and make an informed decision. Here are a few of the most common treatments for plantar fasciitis.
*Stay off of your feet. The easiest way to reduce your symptoms is to get off of your feet and rest them. If your condition is mild, this may be the only thing you are required to do. If there are specific activities that are causing you pain, it can be helpful to limit or stop doing those activities if possible.
*Choose shoes that fit. This is one of the most important things you can do to avoid foot and heel pain. There is a huge group of people that wear shoes every day that do not fit them correctly and are unaware of the damage they are doing to their feet. If you are experiencing pain, make sure your shoes aren't the problem by checking to make sure they fit you correctly.
*Endoscopic surgery. If non-surgical methods do not work, your podiatrist may perform surgery to alleviate your symptoms. This usually occurs after trying other methods for several months and is seen as a last resort.
To learn more about plantar fasciitis or to schedule an appointment, contact your Metairie podiatrist today.
