Plantar Fasciitis is a condition of the feet that no one wants to develop. So what is it and how do you know you have it? We’ll answer that along with other questions you may have like, “Is Plantar Fasciitis permanent?” and “Can it be cured?” First let’s start with the symptoms.
What Does Plantar Fasciitis Feel Like?
Plantar Fasciitis goes by another nickname “heel spur syndrome”. If you have Plantar Fasciitis, you may feel a stabbing pain in your heels as you walk. The pain can be very overwhelming after spending a lot of time standing or walking. If you have it you may also notice it more first thing in the morning as you get out of bed. The sharp pain you feel upon standing after a period of inactivity is often excruciating.
What Exactly Is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is essentially an inflammation of the Plantar Fascia.The Plantar Fascia is a band of connective tissue that runs from the back of the heel extending through the entire foot. It helps maintain the arch of the foot as well as protects soft tissues deeper inside the foot. The Plantar Fascia is not elastic at all. When there is a problem with the foot, the Fascia can get pulled with every step. Even though the Fascia connects at both the heel and the forefoot, the heel is where the pain is most commonly felt. This is because the part of the Fascia that joins to the heel is all in one centralized location, not spread out like it is at the front of the foot. Once the Fascia is strained it tends to get worse, not better unless something is done to prevent further damage.
Is It Permanent?
Yes – if you don’t do something about it. If you are just now experiencing Plantar Fasciitis, there’s a good chance you can get rid of it permanently. Try staying off your feet as much as possible so your feet have a chance to heal. Wear very supportive shoes (ask the podiatrist for a recommendation) and be sure to stretch . Sometimes Plantar Fasciitis can be a result of your ankle and leg ligaments being too tight. If you’ve ignored Plantar Fasciitis for a long time, getting relief may not be as easy.
Can It Be Cured?
For serious cases the podiatrist will likely recommend other treatments in addition to the solutions listed above. Shockwave therapy is a new procedure shown to speed up the healing process. Corticosteroids can also be injected into the areas of inflammation to stimulate natural bodily reparations. The doctor may also recommend wearing a splint while sleeping that stretches the Achilles tendon and the Fascia. This will cure the pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis in 90% of patients. In rare cases, foot surgery may be advised if all other treatments fail.