Have you ever experienced pain in your feet near the heels? Or do you find it painful to walk for the first few steps after getting out of bed or after sitting for long or waking up in the morning? Have you wondered why this happens? The pain is probably a sign that you could be having a medical condition called ‘plantar fasciitis’ (PF).

In this health article let us know more about:

  • What is PF?
  • What causes PF?
  • What are the symptoms of PF?
  • When are you prone to get PF?
  • What is the treatment for PF?

What is PF?

PF is one of the commonest causes of foot pain. The pain is typically felt near the bottom of the heel. PF pain is often felt as pain and difficulty in walking the initial few steps after prolonged rest periods or after physical activities and exercises.

 What causes PF?

Plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue) connecting the heel bone to the base of your toes. The function of plantar fascia is to provide cushion and absorb the high stresses and strains exerted on your feet while you walk, run, or perform any other physical activities such as exercises and sports. But heavy pressure and overexertion of the plantar fascia may cause inflammation and irritation to the tissue causing damage or tearing of the tissues. The damaged tissue causes pain and stiffness in your heel, otherwise known as plantar fasciitis.

What are the symptoms of PF?

  • Pain near the heel
  • Pain and difficulty in walking for the first few steps after long rest periods such as sleeping, sitting for long hours, after long hours of travel (sitting in vehicle)
  • Intense or increasing pain in the heel after but not during physical activity and exercises
  • The pain usually subsides after you walk for a few minutes

When are you prone to get PF?

PF usually develops without an identifiable reason. But, there are a few factors that may put you at risk of developing PF including:

  • Starting a new physical activity that involves more pressure on your feet (starting exercises, or walking regimen)
  • Any unusual or increased activities that require prolonged standing 
  • High impact activities with repetitive action (dancing, running, or sports)
  • Occupational factors such as regular and prolonged standing on hard surfaces (nurses, teachers, salesperson in stores)
  • Anatomy of your feet such as a high arch or flat foot
  • Tight calf muscles
  • Obesity
  • Progressing Age (People aged over 40 to 60 are often prone)

What is the treatment for PF?

In the majority of the cases (almost about 90%) PF is treated within 10 months by following a few simple treatment practices including:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Ample rest to the heel
  • Avoiding or decreasing the activities that triggered the pain
  • Using proper footwear (such as walking/running shoes)
  • Calf, feet, and ankle exercises and stretching
  • Cold therapy - rolling foot over a cold water bottle or ice for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a day.

Non-surgical Medical Therapy

  • Use of pain medications
  • Physiotherapy
  • Using support gears like crutches or foot orthoses to avoid pressure and facilitate proper healing of the inflamed plantar fascia
  • Insertion of orthopedic approved soft heel pads in your footwears
  • Night splints to stretch plantar fascia while you sleep

Interventional Medical Therapy (for chronic or severe cases)

  • Casting
  • Intralesional steroid injections (powerful anti-inflammatory medication injected into the plantar fascia)
  • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
  • Ultrasonic tissue repair
  • Surgical Treatment (if no other treatment was successful)

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