Plantar fasciitis is where you get pain on the bottom of your foot, around the heel and arch area. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia). The pain is usually worse after resting and when toes are lifted off the floor. It can cause stabbing pains usually in your first steps in the morning but can ease once you move around more.
Plantar fasciitis can be caused by many things, such as certain types of exercise, e.g. running, poor-supported footwear, obesity, age (most common in 40-60 year olds), occupations which keep you on your feet for long periods of time, or foot conditions such as flat feet.
So, what do you do if you think you have plantar fasciitis? You see a podiatrist.
A podiatrist will be able to medically assess you and diagnose you with plantar fasciitis; it's best to get your symptoms checked out by a podiatrist as you may have something completely different!
Be prepared to be asked questions by your podiatrist, such as:
- Do your symptoms tend to occur at a particular time of day?
- What types of shoes do you usually wear?
- Do you participate in any sports that involve running?
- Do you have a physically demanding job?
- Have you had problems with your feet before?
- Do you feel pain anywhere besides your feet?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
Usually, a podiatrist will show you a range of exercises to do to help ease the pain and symptoms, and provide you with insoles for your shoes. They will also give you professional advice and recommend the right footwear for you. You will then need to make a follow-up appointment to make sure that the treatment plan is right for you and that the pain is going away.
To make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, contact us today.