Definition of Plantar Fasciitis

From your toes to your heel, you have a section of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot called the plantar fascia. Sometimes--due to overuse, injury or insufficient arch support--the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. The inflammation is called plantar fasciitis and can be very painful if not treated. Plantar fasciitis is common, and some people with minor irritation may not even know they have it. People who have intense pain in their heels may undergo MRI testing to rule out other possibilities before beginning a course of treatment for plantar fasciitis. Luckily, this condition can be treated with conservative methods.

Risk Groups

• The population group that is most likely to develop plantar fasciitis is people in their 40s and 50s, though any person at any age may feel symptoms. People who are overweight are at a higher risk for the inflammation, simply because more pressure is put on the feet when walking and standing. For reasons that are unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic, women are more likely than men to develop fasciitis. Runners and other athletes who have a tendency to "pound" their feet when they practice their sport, and people who are employed in jobs that keep them on their feet for many hours, are at risk as well.

Symptoms

• Pain that is at its worst after a time of rest--whether it is getting up in the morning or sitting at a desk at work--is the main symptom of plantar fasciitis. The pain is often sharp and affects the heel more than the rest of the foot, though discomfort may also be felt across the bottom of the foot as well. Plantar fasciitis most often occurs in only one foot at a time, though it is possible to develop the condition in both feet concurrently. The pain usually progresses slowly over time.

Medical Treatment

• Medications to relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation are an effective treatment method for most people who have plantar fasciitis. Oral, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen are sufficient in many cases. Those with a more severe case of fasciitis may require steroid infections that can provide relief and reduce the swelling on a short-term basis. More serious cases of plantar fasciitis may require more aggressive treatment, such as surgery. Doctors can clip the plantar fascia from the bone in the heel in order to relieve the pain and pressure.

Home Care

• Icing the bottom of the foot and performing exercises at home may be enough to relieve minor sources of irritation. You can perform both of these activities at once by using your foot and toe muscles to roll a frozen juice can across the bottom of your foot. Flexing the foot to stretch out the fascia before getting out of bed in the morning is another effective exercise. Runners who log many miles throughout the week may need to step down their workouts for a period of time in order to allow the facia to heal.

Shoes

• Wearing shoes with adequate arch support and cushioning can both ease the pain of plantar fasciitis and help prevent the condition from developing in the first place. A good walking shoe with shock-absorbing support is recommended by the doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Women should avoid putting pressure on the fascia by wearing low heels.