Plantar Fasciitis - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

The plantar fascia is a web like thick ligament of your foot that connects the heel to the front of the foot. It acts as a shock absorber and helps you with foot movements. Inflammation of this ligament causes pain- a condition known as plantar fasciitis. It causes stabbing pain in the heel, mostly when you put the first step out of bed in the morning. The pain may settle by some time. However, it can also occur upon standing or sitting for a long time. It is more common in people who are overweight and do not wear the right footwear and those who run a lot. To prevent it, you must choose the right and comfortable footwear. Moreover, avoid wearing high heels as they can worsen the condition. 

Symptoms 

It causes stabbing pain in the heel, mostly when you put the first step out of bed in the morning. The pain may settle by some time. However, it can also occur upon standing or sitting for a long time. Moreover, during exercise, you may not feel the pain, but it may worsen after it.

Causes

The plantar fascia is a web like thick ligament of your foot that connects the heel to the front of the foot. It acts as a shock absorber and helps you with foot movements. Repeated stress to the ligament can cause tears of the ligament, eventually causing its inflammation and pain- a condition known as plantar fasciitis. However, in many cases, the exact cause of it remains unclear. 

Risk factors

Although plantar fasciitis can occur without any clear reason. But the following can be the risk factors;

Age- by increasing age, the risk of it increases.

Certain exercises- doing certain exercises that cause immense stress on your heel and involvement of attached tissues like ballet and aerobic dance can increase the risk for plantar fasciitis

Foot mechanics- the way you stand, the way you walk, the shape of your foot also play a role in causing plantar fasciitis

Overweight and obesity- your feet bear all of your weight. Being overweight and obese directly cause pressure on your heel, which in turns increase the risk for plantar fasciitis

Certain occupations- doing certain jobs like teaching, dancing, or working in a factory when you have to stand all day puts you at risk of getting inflammation of the plantar fascia

Complications

Plantar fasciitis, if left untreated, can make it difficult for you to walk. It can also affect your walking style and speed. 

Conclusion 

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the ligament plantar fascia that acts as a shock absorber of the foot. To prevent it, you must choose the right footwear and avoid wearing high heels.