Plantar fasciitis is a usual source of heel pain. The plantar fascia is a dense fibrous band of connective tissue starting on the base surface of the bone of the heel and radiates throughout the sole of the foot towards the toes.
The condition is one of the injuries that seems to arise for no evident reason. Nevertheless, it is caused by either compression or traction injuries. Plantar fasciitis is frequently linked with impact as well as running sports particularly those involving toe running instead of heel running styles. In addition, it is also common among individuals with poor foot biomechanics that strain the plantar fascia. Those who have flatfeet or foot arch muscles that are weakened are the 2 reasons why the condition arises.
What are the indications?
Generally, there is pain beneath the heel initially or in the foot arch upon waking up in the morning or after resting.
The heel pain might be worse during the initial steps and eventually settles with activity as the affected area warms up.
As the condition deteriorates, the pain might be present frequently. The progression of the symptoms is consistent with the 4 phases of a usual overuse injury. Over time, increasing trauma and delayed healing results to the formation of bone inside the plantar fascia. Once this occurs adjacent to the heel bone, it is called as a heel spur that requires a longer rehabilitation period.
Management of plantar fasciitis
Luckily, plantar fasciitis is a reversible condition and can be treated successfully. Around 90% of cases with the condition significantly improve in just 2 months of initial treatment.
In case the condition continues after a few months of conservative treatment, a steroid injection might be given by the doctor. These cortisone injections can provide brief relief but delay the progress in the medium to long-term where the individual suffers from repeated episodes for longer periods.
Proper assessment and correction of foot and leg biomechanics is vital in preventing future episodes of plantar fasciitis or the formation of a heel spur.