Nothing can affect your everyday routines and work productivity as much as experiencing pain in your feet prevents you from moving around. If you notice any pain in your bottom heel, it is often advisable to seek medical assistance as it could indicate plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the most common trigger of heel pain that can radiate down to your toes if left untreated. Depending on how severe the inflammation is and the immediate cause of your heel pain, your healthcare provider may recommend various effective treatment options. In this post, we will look at the possible treatments for plantar fasciitis Mill Creek.

Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis

Your plantar fascia naturally supports the arch and muscles of your foot. When it becomes overly stretched, you are more likely to experience pain and discomfort. Your plantar fascia can also be damaged when excess stress or tension is exerted. Below are some of the main factors that can increase your risk for plantar fasciitis:

1.   Gender. It has been reported that women are at an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis than men.
2.   Age. Older patients are at an increased risk of plantar fasciitis compared to younger patients.
3.   Being overweight. Patients who are overweight are more likely to develop heel pains as they tend to exert more pressure on their plantar fascia.
4.   Have raised arches or flat feet
5.   Frequently wear high-heeled shoes. This tends to put more pressure and stress on your plantar fascia.
6.   Have an abnormal foot position or walking style
7. Often wear worn-out sneakers with thin soles.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing plantar fasciitis, your doctor will first inquire about your medical history and perform a physical exam. During this medical exam, your healthcare provider will check for any tender regions in your foot and determine the exact location of your discomfort. Imaging tests such as MRI or X-rays can be done for a more accurate diagnosis and to determine if your foot pain is not caused by a pinched nerve or a stress fracture. You may also be required to do foot exercises to determine whether your plantar fasciitis problem worsens with movement. Your physician will evaluate the health of your nerves and the strength of your foot muscles by monitoring your coordination, balance, and sense of sight and touch.

Treatment

Some of the available treatments for plantar fasciitis include; icing the affected area for about 10 to 15 minutes at least twice daily, your physical therapist can recommend some physical exercises to help strengthen your leg muscles and improve the stability of your heel and ankle, you may be required to wear shoes with extra cushioning and thick soles to allow even distribution of pressure across your feet, pain-relieving medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen may be prescribed, and resting your feet to avoid worsening the pain; resting involves taking a break from any activity that causes stress and pressure to your plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most reported orthopedic health concerns. This condition is very common among older patients since your plantar fascia becomes damaged with frequent wear and tear. Exposing these ligaments to pressure and stress can cause them to become inflamed and lead to heel discomfort or stiffness. Fortunately, many available treatments for plantar fasciitis have proven to be effective in managing its symptoms.