Plantar Fasciitis Explained
- Albert Brotgandel
- Mar 6, 2024
- 2 min read
Most people, at some point in their life, will feel a burning pain at the sole of their foot. The pain is usually worse when they first get out of bed but gets a little better after walking a few steps. Often, these people work jobs that need them to spend a lot of time on their feet. So what is happening?
The Anatomy:
The plantar fascia is a ligament, or band, that runs from the bottom of your foot to the bottom of your toes. Sometimes, the plantar fascia can tighten and tear, causing pain. Because we walk everyday, the plantar fascia tears over and over again. Most people cannot stay off of their feet because of work or caring for family. So, what can we do?
The Treatment:
Reading online, you will find many treatments for plantar fasciitis. Some treatments work better than others. The gold-standard, or the most reliable treatment, is to do stretches. You can do this on your own or with a physical therapist. Some stretches to try are the wall push calf stretch and the Alfredson protocol. A “healthy” foot and ankle should be able to flex up at least 10-20 degrees with your knee fully straightened[1]. Night splints and arch supports can help you continue stretching at night and throughout your day. Losing weight and spending less time on your feet can also lessen the pain.
Besides treating the tightness, you may need ways of managing the pain. Over the counter NSAID pills or creams (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac gel) are a good way to decrease the inflammation in your plantar fascia and help with the pain. You should check with your primary care provider if it is safe for you to take NSAIDs. Rolling a tennis ball or cold water bottle under your feet may also decrease the pain of those first steps in the morning.
Plantar fasciitis does not need surgery. Research has shown that surgery does not make the pain go away. There are also many risks to surgery, so surgery is not recommended.
When Should You See a Doctor?
When your pain is keeping you from working or from enjoying your life activities, it might be time to see a doctor. A primary care sports medicine specialist or podiatrist may be able to help. They may be able to offer injections or imaging options to address your pain[2]. They may also offer a walking boot to help lessen the stress on your plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis usually will end within three months, often on its own. As painful as it is, plantar fasciitis does not leave permanent damage.
[1] Brockett CL, Chapman GJ. Biomechanics of the ankle. Orthop Trauma. 2016;30(3):232-238. doi:10.1016/j.mporth.2016.04.015
[2] Rhim HC, Kwon J, Park J, Borg-Stein J, Tenforde AS. A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews on the Epidemiology, Evaluation, and Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis. Life (Basel). 2021;11(12):1287. Published 2021 Nov 24. doi:10.3390/life11121287
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