Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

After months of heel pain I learned that heel pain can be completely debilitating and make walking and standing impossible. Heel pain can be caused by a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is also at times referred to as heel spur syndrome when a bone spur is present. Heel pain can also be caused by other conditions such as tendonitis, arthritis, nerve irritation, stress fracture and sometimes but rarely a cyst. If you are experiencing heel pain and having problems with walking or standing see a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

If the heel pain you are experiencing is from Plantar Fasciitis there are some things that can be done at home to ease the pain and make living with Plantar Fasciitis easier. First lets look at what exactly is Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the band of tissue (the fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. The Fascia becomes irritated and inflamed and this results in the pain in the heel of the foot. Some patients describe this pain as worse when they get up after sleeping or sitting for long periods of time and also when standing stationary for long periods of time.

Treating Plantar Fasciitis at home once you have gotten a diagnosis is fairly easy. First there are stretching exercises that will help ease your pain.

When taking a morning shower let the warm water run along the backs of your legs. Once they are nice and warm stand facing the wall of the shower placing your hands on the wall at eye level. Put one leg stretched about one step behind the other leg. Keep the back heel on the shower floor and bend your front knee till the feel of the stretch reaches the back leg. Hold this stretch for the count of 10 and then switch legs. Repeat this 4 times or less if pain is too much tolerate.

Next when your shower is done sit with your towel on the floor, now scrunch the towel towards you with your toes. Once it is close push the towel away from you with your toes. Once this becomes easy make it heavier by placing an object on the towel.

Stair stretching - This exercise will decease pain and increase flexibility. Stand on one step and hold the railing. Slide out on the step so that your heel is over the edge and then slowly let your heels bend down over the edge of the step. Be sure to relax the calf muscles. Hold this to the count of 10 and repeat 2 or more times with both feet.

Last in the line of daily stretching take a rolled towel and place it under the ball of the foot. Hold the towel in both hands and gently pull towards you while keeping the knee straight. Hold this for the count of 10 and repeat a couple times.

During this home treatment period do not go without shoes, place an ice pack on your heel for 10 minutes several times a day and limit the use of your feet for a few days. Keep them elevated and relaxed in a chair or on a pillow.

The doctor may prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or another form of NSAID. Be sure to tell your physician of any medications you may already be taking since some medications do not combine well with NSAIDS.

Once these have been tried if the pain is still extreme there may be further measures needed to give you comfort from your Plantar Fasciitis. The doctor may decide a shoe modification is necessary and have orthotics made that will be worn inside your shoes to relieve this condition.

The physician may also prescribe night splints, which help to extend and stretch the planar fascia while you are sleeping. This helps to reduce the pain in the morning upon rising. Also a removable walking cast can be used to keep the foot immobile for a few weeks.

Injections therapy is needed in some cases of Plantar Fasciitis, which means a physician injects corticosteroid into the inflamed Fascia to relieve the pain.

Most patients respond well to these therapies and treatments and do not need a surgical procedure. Some patients however may actually require surgery and that will be determined after all other methods of relief and treatment are tried and non effective. No matter the outcome of the therapy this is a long-term treatment and should be used if any pain returns. Wearing supportive shoes and being at an ideal weight are two ways to guarantee long-term relieve of Plantar Fasciitis along with practicing the exercises given above.