Plantar Fasciitis

If the first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in the heel of your foot, you may have plantar fasciitis. It is typically thought of as an overuse injury that affects the bottom (plantar) surface of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have damaged the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes.

Cause

Contributing factors may include:

• overweight

• A lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces.

• You're also at risk if you walk or run for exercise.

• Tight calf muscles that limit how far you can flex your ankles.

• People with very flat feet or very high arches also are more prone to plantar fasciitis.

The condition typically starts gradually with mild pain at the heel bone. You're more likely to feel it after (not during) activity. The pain classically occurs right after getting up in the morning and after a period of rest.
Plantar fasciitis can become a chronic condition. It needs to and responds best with early treatment, unfortunately, many times people don’t seek help until it has become very painful or gone on a long time (even years) this can lead to a decrease of activity, and you may develop symptoms of foot, knee, hip and back problems because plantar fasciitis can change the way you walk.

Treatment and Prevention

• Stretching and Physical Therapy. Stretching is one of the best treatments for plantar fasciitis. 

• Icing and Medication. 

• Rest, Activity Modification and Orthotics.

• Shock Wave Therapy. 

• Steroid Injections. 

• Gastrocnemius Recession.