Do you experience stiffness in your heel and pain that radiates up the arch of the foot? Heel pain is becoming a common problem in young and old people these days. It can be due to various causes including Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and nerve irritation. Among these, plantar fasciitis is the most common culprit. It occurs due to inflammation of the tissue that lies at the bottom of the foot. We spoke to our expert Dr Sunil Dachepalli, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic, Robotic Joint Replacement and Arthroscopic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, who explained this condition, its diagnosis, and treatment measures.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
“Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs along the bottom of your foot from your heel to your toes. It is noticeable in the morning after long periods of rest and may gradually improve with activity but worsen after prolonged standing or walking,” said Dr Dachepalli.
The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot. Repetitive stress or excessive stretching leads to microtears and irritation. This further leads to inflammation of that band and results in pain.
According to the Journal of Research in Medical Science, it is estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop Plantar Fasciitis during their lifetime. This condition is more prevalent among middle-aged obese women and young male athletes, with a higher incidence in the athletic population, although not all affected individuals require medical treatment.
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Risk Factors For Plantar Fasciitis
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"Risk factors include prolonged standing, running, walking or wearing unsupportive footwear," added Dr Dachepalli. According to StatPearls, plantar fasciitis is commonly linked to runners and older adults. Other risk factors include obesity, heel pad atrophy, ageing, and occupations that require prolonged standing or weight-bearing. Although plantar fasciitis can be linked to various seronegative spondyloarthropathies, approximately 85% of cases occur without known systemic factors.
How To Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis
According to a 2020 study, the diagnosis can be made clinically through a focused history and physical examination. Imaging is reserved for atypical cases and those that do not respond to initial treatment. The diagnosis is confirmed by localised tenderness at the insertion point of the plantar fascia on the medial tubercle of the calcaneus.
Treatment For Plantar Fasciitis
Dr Dachepalli said, “Treatment includes a wide range of conservative therapies and interventional management. Conservative measures include rest, stretching exercises, footwear modification, and orthotic inserts. More advanced treatments, including physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and PRP injections, may be necessary. In severe cases, surgery may be beneficial. Early intervention and proper management will help alleviate symptoms and prevent long-term complications.”
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How To Manage Heel Pain
Dr Dachepalli listed the management measures for dealing with heel pain as follows:
- The treatment of heel pain involves rest, icing the affected area, analgesics, support and activity modification. This includes offloading the foot, stretching exercises using supportive footwear and using orthotic devices.
- Analgesic support helps in pain relief and alleviates inflammation.
- In more severe cases, you may need physical therapy or a corticosteroid injection to help with treatment. However, evaluation by a healthcare professional is crucial for determining the underlying issues and effective treatment.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]