What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a very common condition. The plantar fascia is the ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes. A strain of this ligament can cause pain and inflammation.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of patients with plantar fasciitis include:
- Sharp pain and/or tenderness in the heel behind the arch of the foot
- Pain when stepping out of bed in the morning and putting weight on the feet
Causes and Risks
It is theorized that because the plantar fascia relax and shorten while we sleep, people often experience pain when they step out of bed in the morning and put weight on their feet, stretching the plantar fascia.
Runners and athletes can experience plantar fasciitis. Repeated stretching and contracting can cause the ligament to become inflamed or tear.
Treatment and Prevention
One example of effective treatment can be steroid injections to the plantar surface of the foot. The following may be appropriate in determining the correct treatment course.
- Complete medical history of your symptoms
- A comprehensive physical examination
- X-ray, ultrasound or MRI may be recommended to rule out the possibility of a broken heel bone or other soft tissue injuries.