Plantar Fasciitis 101: From Diagnosis to Recovery – Everything You Need to Know

Plantar fasciitis occurs as a result of excessive use or excessive strain on the feet. Usually, you can manage it by yourself with the help of readily available medications, applying ice, taking rest, and performing stretching exercises.

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a frequent cause of heel pain that involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a resilient, fibrous tissue band that stretches across the bottom of the foot. This band connects the heel bone to the toe base, providing support to the foot’s arch and playing a crucial role in proper walking mechanics.

The plantar fascia experiences more tension and stress when pressure is applied to the foot, for example, when you stand or walk. This tension also increases when you push off with the front part of your foot and toes. These actions are part of the normal movements involved in walking or running. However, with excessive use or over time, the fascia loses its ability to stretch and recover, leading to irritation during regular daily activities.

Causes

The plantar fascia, a strip of tissue known as fascia, links the heel bone to the bottom of the toes, providing stability to the foot’s arch and cushioning against impact during walking.

Small tears can occur in the fascia due to tension and stress. The fascia can become irritated or inflamed through repeated stretching and tearing, but the exact cause of plantar fasciitis is often unknown in many cases.

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

Heel pain is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The discomfort is typically more noticeable when you initially start walking in the morning or when you stand up after prolonged periods of sitting. Engaging in physical activity often brings relief, but the pain may worsen once you have been on your feet for an extended period again.

The pain is often worse:

• In the early hours of the day as you start moving
• After standing or sitting for awhile
• When climbing stairs
• After intense activity
• In sports that involve walking, running, and jumping

Diagnosing Plantar Fasciitis

When consulting with your doctor, they will inquire about your symptoms and examine your feet to determine the source of your pain. In certain cases, they may also recommend imaging tests to rule out any other potential causes for your issue. These tests may involve:

• An X-ray used to eliminate the possibility of bone fracturing or arthritis.
• An MRI to look for fractures

Surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis

The most drastic form of treatment is surgery, which is only recommended for individuals experiencing severe and persistent pain lasting beyond 6 to 12 months.

Other forms of treatment should be explored before considering surgery due to the potential for long-lasting pain and damage to nerves that can be caused by the procedure.

Gastrocnemius recession

This procedure involves surgically elongating the calf muscles (gastrocnemius) in order to alleviate the strain on the plantar fascia caused by tight calf muscles. It is recommended for patients who continue to have trouble bending their feet even after attempting various methods of stretching their calf muscles.

Gastrocnemius recession is a procedure where one of the calf muscles is stretched to improve ankle movement. This can be done with either a larger, open cut or a smaller cut using an endoscope with a camera. Your doctor will talk to you about which method is most suitable for you.

The chances of experiencing complications from gastrocnemius recession are minimal, although there is a potential risk of harm to the sural nerve and a potential weakening of the calf muscles.

Plantar fascia release

During a plantar fascia release procedure, a surgeon will surgically cut a section of your plantar fascia ligament in order to alleviate some of the strain and reduce inflammation. This can involve making small incisions in the ligament or completely detaching the plantar fascia from the heel bone. The surgery can be done using either an endoscope or through open surgery.

Reducing tension may result in a weakened arch of the foot, potentially leading to a loss of full functionality.

How can I prevent plantar fasciitis?

To avoid plantar fasciitis, it is important to refrain from putting excessive strain on your feet. Generally speaking:

• Stretch before and after exercise.
• Allow your feet a period of time to relax and heal following strenuous physical exertion or workout.
• Wear supportive shoes.
• It is advised not to walk without shoes on solid surfaces.
• Make sure to change your sneakers every six to nine months, or once you have walked or run a distance of 250 to 500 miles in them.

If you have a medical condition that increases your chances of developing plantar fasciitis, it may be difficult to avoid its occurrence.

Living with plantar fasciitis

The majority of plantar fasciitis cases resolve on their own as time passes. For optimal outcomes, it is recommended to maintain a consistent approach to treatment. If these methods do not prove effective, your doctor may propose alternative options, including:

• Professional physical therapy
• Splints on your foot at night
• Tape on your foot
• Injections of corticosteroids into the plantar fascia are commonly used.

In some exceptional situations, there might be a necessity for a surgical procedure. It is advisable to have a conversation with your doctor regarding the advantages and drawbacks associated with these medical interventions.

Treatment in Türkiye:

The medical staff of surgical teams, doctors, and consultants at REHABTÜRK can provide the best treatment options and free consultations, striving to stay up-to-date on the latest medical technologies and methods.

Ask for a free consultation.