Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of fibrous tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.
Causes:
Your plantar fascia acts like a shock-absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch in your foot. If tension and stress on that bowstring become too great, small tears can arise in the fascia. Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed, though in many cases of plantar fasciitis, the cause isn't clear.
9 Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:
1. Difficulty in walking is most common symptom of Plantar Fasciitis.
2. Stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move more, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or after rising from sitting.
3. The pain is usually worse after exercise, not during it.
4. Limping.
5. Swelling.
6. Tired feeling in feet.
7. Sharp and burning sensation in the heel.
8. Possible bone spur formation.
9. Tenderness in the heel or in the foot.
Treatment:
Stretching and strengthening exercises or use of specialised devices may provide relief.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can instruct you in a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles, which stabilize your ankle and heel. A therapist might also teach you to apply athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot.
Night splints: Your physical therapist or doctor might recommend that you wear a splint that stretches your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep. This holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight and facilitates stretching.
Complications:
Ignoring plantar fasciitis may result in chronic heel pain that hinders your regular activities. Changing the way you walk to minimize plantar fasciitis pain might lead to foot, knee, hip or back problems.