Plantar Fasciitis: A Common Heel Problem Treated by Podiatrists

Do you have heel pain when you first step out of bed in the morning? Does your heel ache after standing for too long? If so, you may have plantar fasciitis. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain and a problem podiatrists treat often.

Plantar fasciitis can be incredibly debilitating, making it difficult to walk, run, or even stand for long periods. So you may wonder, what exactly is plantar fasciitis? Who are the people most susceptible to developing this condition?

And, most importantly, how can you get rid of it?

To better understand plantar fasciitis, we’ve coordinated with The Feet People to help discuss this condition in greater detail.

What Exactly is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. Repeated stress can damage or tear the tissue, causing pain and stiffness at the bottom of the heel.

The pain is typically worst with the first steps after waking or after sitting for a while, and it often eases after a few minutes of walking, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Long periods of standing on hard surfaces can also aggravate it, which is why it is common among people whose jobs keep them on their feet all day (e.g., teachers, retail workers, and chefs).

Who Is Prone to Plantar Fasciitis?

Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, but certain risk factors can make you more likely to experience this condition. These include:

• Age: It is most common between ages 40 and 60.
• Weight: Obesity puts additional strain on the plantar fascia.
• Tight calf muscles: These increase pull on the fascia.
• Pregnancy: The added weight and stress of pregnancy can also lead to plantar fasciitis.
• Foot Structure: If you have flat feet or high arches, you’re also at an increased risk. These conditions change how weight is distributed across your feet, which can lead to plantar fasciitis.
• Certain Activities: If you participate in high-impact activities like running or basketball or wear shoes that don’t provide enough support, you may also be at risk.

These are just some of the risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis. If you think you may be at risk, you must talk to your doctor or a podiatrist.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?

Most people get better with simple treatments like rest, icing, calf and foot stretches, supportive shoes and night splints. The AAOS says more than 90% of patients improve within 10 months of starting these treatments.

If pain persists, a doctor may add physical therapy, shoe inserts or orthotics, or injections. Surgery to release part of the plantar fascia is usually reserved for people who haven’t improved after about 12 months of nonsurgical care.

The Importance of Seeing a Podiatrist

For most people, the feet are an afterthought. We cram them into shoes, stand on them for hours at a time, and expect them to just keep working without any problems. However, the feet are actually a complex system of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Whenever something goes wrong, it can significantly impact our ability to get around.

That’s why it’s worth seeing a podiatrist when foot pain doesn’t go away.

Podiatrists are specialists who are trained in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. They can provide relief for everything from bunions and ingrown toenails to heel pain and plantar fasciitis. They can also give advice on shoe selection and stretching exercises, and regular foot checks are especially important for people with diabetes.

So if you’re having any trouble with your feet, see a podiatrist sooner rather than later. Your feet will thank you for it.

Conclusion

If you have heel pain that is worse with your first steps in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain, and it can become a long-lasting problem if ignored.

If you think you may have plantar fasciitis, the best thing to do is to see a podiatrist. They can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best course of treatment. In most cases, the condition improves with conservative measures like rest, icing, and stretching, though it can take months.

Surgery is needed only in a small number of cases that don’t respond to long-term nonsurgical care. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if pain is severe, keeps getting worse, hasn’t improved after 2 weeks of self-care, or comes with tingling or numbness, and sooner if you have diabetes. But regardless of which treatment route you must take, seeing a podiatrist is crucial to finding relief from heel pain.

Have you ever suffered from plantar fasciitis? What treatments worked for you? Let us know in the comments!

Sources

• Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo)
• Plantar fasciitis, NHS