You may be wondering what’s causing the sharp, stabbing pain in your heel, especially after a long day of standing or walking.
If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort or stiffness in the bottom of your foot, it’s possible you have plantar fasciitis.
This common condition affects the plantar fascia, a band of tissue supporting the arch of your foot. As the plantar fascia becomes inflamed, it can lead to pain and limited mobility.
To better understand what’s happening in your foot and how to find relief, let’s take a closer look at the symptoms and causes of plantar fasciitis.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition characterised by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of the foot. When you have plantar fasciitis, you may experience a sore heel, heel pain, or pain in the inner side of the foot. However, what is the plantar fascia, and how does it become inflamed?
The plantar fascia plays a vital role in supporting your foot’s arch and absorbing shock as you move. However, repetitive strain or overuse can lead to inflammation, causing pain and stiffness in the heel and bottom of the foot.
You’re more likely to develop plantar fasciitis if you engage in activities that involve repeated landing on the heel, such as running or dancing. Poor foot mechanics, obesity, and worn-out or poorly fitting shoes can also contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis.
As you take steps to understand and address this condition, you’re taking the first step towards finding relief from the discomfort and pain that comes with it. By understanding what plantar fasciitis is, you’re empowered to take control of your foot health and work towards a pain-free life.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
You’ll likely know you have plantar fasciitis by a telltale symptom: a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel that can improve with movement but often intensifies with activity throughout the day.
As you go about your daily routine, you may notice that the pain worsens, especially if you’re standing or walking for extended periods.
When determining what plantar fasciitis is, it’s critical to recognise the common symptoms associated with this condition. Key indicators include:
- Sharp pain in the heel: A stabbing or sharp pain in the heel, often accompanied by stiffness that improves with walking or movement.
- Pain that worsens with activity: As you engage in physical activities, the pain may radiate to the arch of the foot and intensify throughout the day.
- First-step pain in the morning: Waking up to severe pain in the heel and foot may gradually improve as you move around.
Additional symptoms may include aching or burning sensations on the foot sole, swelling in the heel area, and pain that intensifies with activity. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s vital to seek professional attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
Understanding the underlying causes of plantar fasciitis involves examining a combination of biomechanical, anatomical, and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of this common foot condition. You’ll want to reflect on how your daily activities, footwear choices, and overall foot mechanics may be putting stress on your plantar fascia.
| Biomechanical Factors | Lifestyle Factors |
|---|---|
|
Overpronation or flat feet |
Running or repetitive impact activities |
|
Poor ankle mobility |
Wearing shoes with inadequate arch support |
|
Tight calf muscles |
Carrying excess body weight |
|
Abnormal gait patterns |
Prolonged standing or walking on hard surfaces |
Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis
To confirm a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, a podiatrist typically conducts a physical examination of the foot, combining gentle palpation of the heel and bottom of the foot with a thorough review of the patient’s medical history and symptoms.
During this examination, the podiatrist will determine the location of pain and tenderness and may perform simple tests to assess flexibility and strength in the foot and ankle.
You can expect the following during the diagnostic process:
Podiatry Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatment options for plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, shockwave therapy, orthotics, shoe modifications, and injections. These methods are often prescribed by a podiatrist based on the severity and duration of symptoms:
Orthotics, specifically custom orthotics, have an 80-90% success rate in redistributing pressure across the foot and alleviating pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Your podiatrist may employ a tailored foot strapping / taping technique to adjust the biomechanical compsure of your foot to reduce the pressure on your plantar fascia.
Professional foot strapping and taping techniques by an experienced podiatrst are an effective way of providing fast pain relief while and ongoing heel pain treatment plan is delivered.
Choosing supportive footwear with cushioned soles and proper arch support can noticeably alleviate heel pain, enabling you to walk more comfortably and reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Properly fitting shoes help prevent excessive pronation and offer much-needed stability to your foot, reducing discomfort. Opting for footwear with features that specifically target heel pain relief is crucial.
Night splints can also be used to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon while sleeping, providing relief from morning stiffness and pain in 70-80% of patients.
Shockwave therapy is an offshoot of lithography, which is a tried-and-true method that is utilised in modern medicine to break up kidney stones without the need for invasive surgery.
The Shock wave therapy device sends pneumatically generated high pressure shock waves to the affected area, triggers the body’s healing processes and improves blood flow.
These shock waves are able to go through the skin without causing any damage.
Incorporating stretching exercises into your daily routine can greatly alleviate heel pain by targeting the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. These exercises improve flexibility, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the affected areas.
Corticosteroid injections may be prescribed for short-term pain relief, but repeated injections should be avoided due to potential complications.
In severe cases of plantar fasciitis, surgery may be necessary to release the plantar fascia or repair a tear. However, this is typically considered a last resort, and other treatment options should be explored first.
Your podiatrist will help determine the best course of treatment for you. With their guidance, you can find effective relief from the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis.
Prevention and Management Tips
By incorporating simple yet effective strategies into your daily routine, you can substantially reduce your risk of developing plantar fasciitis or minimise its impact if you already have the condition.
As you take proactive steps, you’ll be protecting your foot’s overall health and enhancing your mobility.
Adopting healthy footwear habits is essential; choose shoes with supportive arches, cushioning, and a comfortable fit to reduce the strain on your plantar fascia.
When To Seek Professional Help
If you’re experiencing heel pain, it’s essential to know when to seek medical attention to prevent further complications and guarantee prompt treatment.
Severe pain, especially at night, or swelling and bruising around your heel are clear indicators that you need professional help from a doctor or podiatrist. You should also seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen over time or if you notice no improvement despite trying at-home treatments and remedies.
Additionally, if you have difficulty walking or standing due to heel pain, or if you have a fever in addition to your heel pain, you should seek professional help immediately.
If you have a history of diabetes, circulatory problems, or nerve damage, it’s imperative to seek professional help if you experience heel pain, as these conditions can increase your risk of complications.
If you’re unsure about the cause of your heel pain or the best course of treatment, consulting an experienced professional is always the best decision.
Summing It All Up...
You’ve taken the first step in tackling plantar fasciitis—a condition that can feel like a thousand knives stabbing into your heel. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options, you’re well on your way to alleviating the pain.
Remember to stretch, wear supportive shoes, and maintain a healthy weight to keep this pesky condition at bay.
With proper management, you’ll be back on your feet in no time, pain-free, and ready to take on the world.
If you want the right professional advice on how to treat your heel pain, we currently have a limited offer running to help you out. For just $79 (usually valued at $189), book in online for our Complete Heel Pain Assessment & Treatment Consultation will get:
- Complete In-Depth Heel Pain Examination
- Review of Footwear & Personal Habit Diagnosis
- Treadmill Walking Gait Analysis & Video Assessment
- Complete Foot & Ankle Structural Diagnosis
- Effective Heel Pain Treatment Plan To Get You Walking Pain Free
- Peace of Mind You Know What Is Causing Your Heel Pain & How To Fix It
Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis
Understand what causes your heel pain and what you can do to get rid of it once and for all. Find out what treatments can get you back to walking pain free so you can enjoy living an active life again!
Bellevue Podiatry Health Care Treatment
Bellevue Podiatry has been serving the people of Rosanna and its surrounding suburbs for over 10 years. We have the qualifications, experience and education to effectively treat any lower limb condition or injury that requires expert podiatry care.
Article References:
If you would like a deeper understanding of plantar fasciitis and its treatment options, please click on the reference links below that were used to source the material for this article:
- Mayo Clinic, Plantar Fasciitis
- Web MD, Plantar Fasciitis Basics
- Healthline, Plantar Fasciitis
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs
- Podiatry Today, The Role of Shockwave Therapy In Lower Extremity Sports Medicine
- Science Direct, Plantar fasciitis injury status influences foot mechanics during running
- Arthritis.Org, Plantar Fasciitis Heel Pain
- American Podiatric Medical Association, Heel Pain