What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is essentially inflammation and strain of the plantar fascia ligament. This ligament attaches to the heel bone and is the longest ligament in the body. It runs from the heel all the way to the toes. It’s very long, wide, and thick; every step we take exerts tension on the plantar fascia.
Unfortunately, the plantar fascia can get strained very easily for multiple reasons. According to a number of different sources, about 3 million people a year get Plantar Fasciitis. We see 3-7 people per day with this condition.
What causes it?
There are many different theories as to its cause. Flatter arches place more tension on the plantar fascia leading to strain, inflammation, and pain. Being overweight, overuse, bad shoes, and careers that involve a lot of standing are all possible causes of Plantar Fasciitis. It is more common in the heel than in the arch. However, both can be incredibly easy to heal and also frustratingly difficult. The longer a person waits to have it treated, the more challenging it can be.
How do you treat it?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for this condition. Plantar Fasciitis, when addressed early enough, can respond favorably to stretching, arch supports, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Plantar Fasciitis that is not addressed until after three months of pain may need more aggressive remedies.
A Google search for Plantar Fasciitis remedies can easily take you down many rabbit holes. There are many treatment methods but it’s not all work for everyone. Your feet and plantar fascia are unique. You may get no relief from stretching whereas a friend of yours does. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for your specific scenario.
The ultimate goal with this condition, as it is with every condition we treat, is to do everything necessary to avoid surgery. Whether it’s your first episode or several, have us treat it as early in its onset as possible. Learn how we treat this condition differently than most podiatrists, in a video with Dr. Silvester here: