Plantar fasciitis: how to get rid of pain in feet

Plantar fasciitis is the main cause of pain that occurs in the area of the heel. The connective plantar sheath, representing a flat area of the tendon, connects the fingers and the calcaneus and supports the arch of the foot. With increased loads, this membrane weakens, inflames and swells. Because of this, there is pain in the sole or heel, especially when walking or standing in place.

The disease is typical for middle-aged and elderly people. Plantar fasciitis can be observed in young people who spend a lot of time on their feet without rest, for example, soldiers and athletes. The disease affects both one and two feet.

The cause of plantar fasciitis is the stretching of the ligaments supporting the arch of the foot. As a result of constant tension, small tears in the ligaments may appear, accompanied by swelling and pain. There are factors that can increase the risk of rupture. This is overweight, flat feet or a high arch of the foot, excessive bending inward of the feet during walking, prolonged stress on the feet when walking, running and standing, especially if it occurs on a hard surface. The appearance of the disease is facilitated by tight, worn-out shoes, tight muscles of the lower leg and calcaneal tendons.

Plantar fasciitis: symptoms and diagnosis

The bulk of patients with plantar fasciitis experience pain syndrome already at the first steps, after a long sitting or, rising from bed. After a few movements, the stiffness and pain decrease slightly, however, the feet can again get sick during the day. Painful sensations increase after a long standing or while climbing the stairs.

If you have symptoms, you need help from a doctor. The specialist will first examine the feet and assess the movements of the patient. Diagnosis is made on the basis of oral testimony of the patient about the symptoms of the disease. If you suspect a fatigue fracture or a bone problem, you may have an X-ray.

Plantar fasciitis: treatment

There are no universal methods of treating the disease. But there are various ways to improve the condition of the feet.

First of all, you need to rest more. Limit the activities that cause pain in the feet. You need to try to run a little less and walk on a hard surface. To reduce pain and swelling, you can try to attach ice to the sole. Relieve the condition will help pain killers, ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin.

After waking up as a charge, exercises for stretching the lower leg should be performed. To prevent or eliminate plantar fasciitis, you will need a new comfortable shoe that supports the arch of the foot well and has a soft sole. As pads under the heel, you need to use orthopedic insoles, which apply to both feet, even if the pain is felt only in one.

If the described methods are inconclusive, the doctor prescribes injections of steroids into the heel, splinting and other treatment. Surgical intervention is performed in the absence of positive results and ongoing pain for six months or longer.

Plantar fasciitis may be a consequence of injuries sustained. With timely treatment, the pain should decrease after a couple of weeks. In order for the pain to go away completely, it can sometimes take months for the treatment.

Similar, but more acute symptoms cause plantar fasciitis, or heel spurs, which is formed as a result of bone growth in the heel and accompanying this process of inflammation in the soft tissues. The treatment of this disease is more complicated. In addition to the above methods aimed at removing fatigue of the feet, use physiotherapy methods, exercise therapy, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.