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Plantar fasciitis
Alternative Names
Dog's heel, Flip Flop diseaseWhat is Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia. It is one of the most common triggers of heel pain. Usually this disease causes stabbing pain of the feet. It is very widespread among the runners.
<Signs and symptoms
This disease can cause the following symptoms:
- it develops gradually
- it affects just one foot but it occurs in both feet at the same time
- it is triggered with the first few steps after awakening
- it feels like a stab in the heel of your foot
Possible complications
Left untreated this disease can lead to chronic heel pain. It can also cause foot, knee, hip or back problems.
What causes
The causes of the plantar fasciitis include:
- foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
- obesity or sudden weight gain
- long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
- sudden weight gain
- tight achilles tendon
- shoes with poor arch support or soft soles
Prevention
You can prevent the disease by taking the following precautions:
- control your healthy weight
- choose comfortable shoes
- don't wear worn-out athletic shoes
Treatment
The treatment should be determined by your doctor. Usually it is recommended :
- acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce pain and inflammation
- heel stretching exercises
- resting as much as possible for at least a week
- wearing shoes with good support and cushions
- applying ice to the painful area
- using night splints to stretch the injured fascia and allow it to heal
