About one in ten people will experience plantar fasciitis at some point in their life. Mid-aged men and young female athletes are most at risk for this condition. Some other factors that may increase the risk include age, gender, or genetics. The injury itself, the type of footwear worn, and injury to the heel bone are the most common causes. If the condition is not treated early enough, it can lead to permanent injury and pain.
Plantar fasciitis foot problems, as they are sometimes called, are caused by a build up of pressure on the fascia in the heel bone of the foot. These pressures are caused by excess weight, standing for a long period of time, walking on uneven surfaces, and the wearing out of the plantar fascia over time. This buildup of pressure eventually weakens the heel bone and causes it to slip back into place. This causes the condition called "ball & socket" deformity.
Plantar fasciitis does not heal on its own, however. It needs to be treated as soon as possible because it is an extremely painful condition. In many cases, a doctor will prescribe strong anti-inflammatory medications to treat the symptoms and prevent more problems from developing.
Although there are several treatments available, the right treatment is the best way to avoid surgery or other serious medical complications in the future. The most commonly used pain reliever. There are two main categories of medications that are used to relieve heel pain. One category consists of drugs that actually numb the area, while another category of drugs increases the strength of the tissue that holds the heel in place. The most commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain after the initial pain has subsided. These pain relievers come in several forms, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and others. It is important to understand what type of pain relief is prescribed in order to determine if it is appropriate for the patient or not. When using nonsteroidal pain relievers, it's also important to try stretching exercises to strengthen the plantar fascia.
One of the most popular and effective exercises for relieving plantar fasciitis pain is attaching a tennis ball to the bottom of the shoe. The tape helps to reduce the number of heel strikes
when the foot lands. The tape also helps relieve heel pain. Some patients may tolerate the wearing of supportive shoes, while others find that walking barefoot or with specially designed shoes is most comfortable. In extreme cases, the doctor may require surgery to correct deformities or other medical complications.
If a physician determines that plantar fasciitis is causing the deformity, surgery may be required to correct the problem. In some cases, the deformity is fixed surgically by removing a bone in the heel that is causing the problem. In many cases, surgery will just improve the function of the plantar fascia. Surgery to correct the heel can also help with other conditions, such as a heel spurs deformity that is causing additional pain and damage. In both of these cases, a doctor will evaluate the condition of the plantar fascia in the foot.
Plantar fasciitis should never be ignored. Even if they are only minor symptoms, they can become chronic and cause further pain, discomfort, and injury. A proper evaluation and treatment plan will allow the plantar fascia to heal and function properly so that the plantar fascia can return to its former healthful self.
One of the most common treatment options is physical therapy
Physical therapists, including those who work in podiatry, can provide an individualized treatment program to strengthen the plantar fascia to relieve pain. This can include stretches and strengthening exercises to stretch the plantar fascia, or a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises.
Chiropractors can also provide some very effective treatments for plantar fasciitis. They can work with patients on stretches and strengthening exercises to help correct the condition, and increase flexibility in the plantar fascia. If the plantar fasciitis is causing deformities, chiropractors may recommend orthotics to help the deformity to become less apparent.
While there are many treatment options for plantar fasciitis, it is important to seek professional help from a doctor if the condition continues to affect the patient's daily activities. If a doctor determines that the condition is severe, surgery may be necessary.