Are your heels so sore that you can't even put them down in the morning? Let's talk about Plantar Fasciitis!

Do you feel a sharp pain in your heel when you first step out of bed in the morning, like a needle stabbing you? The pain subsides a little after walking for a while, but do you still feel a little pain throughout the day? If so, you may have a problem that many people have. Today we are talking about 'Plantar Fasciitis', which is the main cause of heel pain.

Simply put, what is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of your foot called the plantar fascia. It is the most common cause of heel pain.

Think of it as a strong, thick rubber band that runs along the bottom of your foot, from your heel to your toes. That's what we call the 'plantar fascia.' It connects the bones in your foot and creates the arch of your foot.

Now, when this part of the plantar fascia is put under more stress than it can withstand, that is, when it is stretched too much or damaged, it starts to swell. That swelling is what we feel as pain. This condition usually occurs in one foot, but sometimes it can occur in both feet at the same time.

What are the main symptoms of this condition?

There are some common symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis. Let's take a look at what they are.

Why does this situation occur?

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of Plantar Fasciitis, there are several risk factors that may contribute to it.

Because of the things you say and do.

• Working a job that requires standing all day: This risk is higher for people like teachers and factory workers.
• Playing sports: Especially for those who play sports like running and jumping.
• Exercising or working on hard surfaces such as stone or concrete.
• Starting exercise all of a sudden without stretching your legs properly or warming up.
• Wearing shoes or sandals that do not fit properly on the foot: For example, flat sandals like flip-flops, shoes that do not have any support on the sole.
• Walking around the house barefoot without slippers.

Body type and other health conditions

• Flat feet: The decreased curvature of the sole of the foot puts more pressure on the plantar fascia.
• Excessive curvature of the soles (high arch feet).
• Obesity: As body weight increases, the load on the soles of the feet also increases. Sudden weight gain can also be a cause of this.

How does a doctor recognize this?

A doctor will usually diagnose this condition by examining your foot and asking you about your symptoms. He or she will press on the sole of your foot to check for any areas of pain and swelling.

All you have to do is clearly state your pain .

• What time of day is the pain most severe? (In the morning? After a long day at work?)
• Where exactly does it hurt on the soles of the feet?
• What is the nature of the pain? (Is it stabbing? Is it a dull ache?)

Usually, no other tests are needed. However, if your doctor suspects that there is another cause for your pain (such as a fracture), he or she may refer you for tests such as an X-ray, ultrasound scan, or MRI scan.

What treatments can be done at home and with medical advice?

Simple home remedies and medications prescribed by a doctor are often sufficient to treat this condition. Surgery is rarely necessary.

Will surgery be necessary?

Surgery is only considered for those in very severe cases who have not responded to the above treatments. It is a very rare occurrence.

• Gastrocnemius recession: This involves slightly stretching the calf muscles to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.
• Plantar fascial release: This involves making several small incisions in the plantar fascia tissue to release unwanted tightness.

Are Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Spurs the same thing?

Yes. Although both of these can cause heel pain, these are two different conditions.

Plantar Fasciitis, as we mentioned, is an inflammation of the tissue on the sole of the foot.

A heel spur is the growth of an extra bone under the heel bone in response to prolonged pressure and swelling caused by Plantar Fasciitis.

Most of the time, a heel spur is painless. The pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. So if you have heel pain, it could be due to either of these two causes. It is best to see a doctor to find out the exact cause.