Plantar Fasciitis/ Pain in the Bottom of Foot/ Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia. Usually, overuse and injury to the plantar fascia cause plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis have following symptoms:

• Pain in the bottom of the foot
• Pain is severe in the morning getting up from bed
• Pain is severe when getting up after sitting for a long time

Plantar fasciitis is a very common disease affecting many patients once in their lifetime. In many cases, both feet can be involved.

Plantar fasciitis involve following risk factors:

• Wear and tear of fascia leading to degeneration of the plantar fascia.
• Improper strain to the plantar fascia because of specific activity
• Use of improper or misfit footwear
• Standing for a very long time
• Sports activities without proper training or footwear
• Wearing no footwear at home
• High arch foot
• Flat foot

Mainly by the history of disease and examination of the foot. X-rays and MRIs are required in a few patients.

Most people with plantar fasciitis will recover on their own, and the recovery period is within a few months to a year. The sooner treatment starts, the sooner the patient recovers.

Please don’t avoid plantar fasciitis. It may result in chronic heel pain, and the patient will be unable to perform daily activities in the next few days to months. Changing the foot's position may result in leg, knee, hip, and even back pain when walking with plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis can be treated at home, but it requires the patient's commitment.

• Use of anti-inflammatory drugs
• Rest is one of the most important things
  a) Don’t stand for a long time
  b) Stretch between long duration of work
  C) Try to stand on a mat or soft surface and avoid hard surfaces
• Ice your foot
• Wear supportive footwear, use cushioned or well-padded shoes.
• Use shoe inserts; if the patient has flat feet custom made arches can be used.
• Physiotherapy uses various stretching exercises which stretches fascia and calf muscles.

Injections can be used for plantar fasciitis:

• Steroids act as anti-inflammatories. A surgeon may inject steroids into the plantar fascia. Since it is anti-inflammatory, it reduces pain and is effective.
• Pla-te-let-rich pl-as-ma growth factors (P-R-P GF) This is the latest used for injections. In many cases who don’t respond to the treatment, P-R-P GF injections are given in the heel and plantar fascia.

Surgery is required in a few patients, and in those cases where even after giving injections, relief is not obtained. Plantar fascia release is a common surgery performed for plantar fasciitis. In this, stress from the plantar fascia is relieved by giving some cuts in it.

The best way is to not give stress to your foot, don’t overdo it. One can try following tips:

• Stretching is a must if the patient is involved in heavy work or standing for long, playing sports, or any condition that puts extra stress on the foot.
• Breaks are important aspects if patients do heavy physical work. Take small breaks and rest.
• Correct footwear must use proper cushions or arches in footwear
• Develop the habit of walking with shoes over hard surfaces
• If undergoing physical training doesn’t increase time, mileage, and load very fast.