Plantar Fasciitis is a very common ailment that causes pain in the heel of the foot. This ailment is caused by the tearing of the fibrous plantar fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot.
When this ligament tears, it causes pain and inflammation near the heel bone and along the ligament or the bottom of the foot. Ligaments are made of fibrous strips of tissue that connect two things.
The ligament connects the heel bone and the toes. It stretches and contracts through actions such as walking, running, dancing, and other forms of movement.
The pain associated with this problem is often described as a burning, stabbing, or aching pain that is generally worse in the mornings as the muscle becomes tighter when it is not used. As the ligament is used it stretches out and becomes warmer causing the pain to lessen.
The treatment of this condition does not usually involve surgery or other major treatments to cure. The time for recovery and type of treatment depends on the body's ability to heal and how the foot was injured.
The most common cause is simply the use of the foot in strenuous exercise because the plantar fascia ligament absorbs a significant amount to the pressure. In addition to the overload of stress, simply changing the length of time and difficulty of exercise habits can add too much to the work load of this tendon and cause it to tear.
Athletes are among those most afflicted, however, it can also be caused by arthritis.
Arthritis causes inflammation in tendons and indirectly plantar fasciitis and pain. This condition is typically found in the older generations.
Diabetes can also contribute to development of it. The elderly are also the most likely to develop it due to diabetes.
However, wearing shoes that do not function properly can cause it much more often than diabetes or arthritis. Many times people will wear shoes that do not fit them correctly or give them enough support and cushioning.
These kinds of shoes cause people to walk weirdly and their weight to be distributed incorrectly. Without proper support, the feet take most of the impact from walking and exercising causing plantar fasciitis.
Of course, specific types of shoes are also more prone to foot damage than others. These shoes include high heels and boots.
In addition, different foot types will affect the likelihood of injuring the ligament and developing plantar fasciitis. Some afflictions such as flat feet, high arches, pronation, and abnormal gait can make extra work for the ligament and cause inflammation.
To combat a developing case in someone with high arches or flat feet, orthotic shoe inserts may be suggested. These can lend added support to the foot and prevent much of the stress the ligament would be dealing with otherwise.
As with many health related afflictions, age is a major factor in the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis. This is because our body weakens leaving us more susceptible to damage later in life.
Likewise, weight will also affect the risk of getting plantar fasciitis. This is especially true with foot related ailments because our feet are the part of our body responsible for absorbing the pressure of our weight as we move.
Daily habits are also a risk factor. Studies have shown that people who are walking and standing all day for their occupation will also be more likely to develop this ailment because of the stress that this adds to the ligament.
Often it will develop over a long period of time. Once the source of the pain is recognized, treatment should not be delayed.
The longer it goes untreated, it will become increasingly more painful and harder to treat. For some people, what is simply a small pain will develop into a chronic pain that will become untreatable.
Sometimes the treatment will involve changing a long entrenched habit. For example, if it was caused due to the way a person walks, the way they walk will have to change.
This can be a very difficult thing to do, especially because walking is something that we do unconsciously every day. Although it may take some thought and hard work, changing the cause of the pain will prevent much pain in the future.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick has worked as a podiatrist and foot surgeon for the past 14 years and written hundreds of articles about various foot conditions including plantar fasciitis.
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