Plantar fasciitis is a condition that sends sharp, shooting pains across the bottom of your feet. Normal, daily tasks, especially getting out of bed in the morning, just aren’t easy anymore. 

What causes this common disorder and does walking help? Here’s what the experts at Advanced Orthopaedic Centers recommend to treat your foot pain and why walking alone may not be the best way to find relief.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is the ligament or the long, flat piece of tissue on the bottom of the foot that runs from the toes to the heel. The plantar fascia follows the arch of your foot and is shaped like a bowstring. Its job is to provide cushioning for the impact of running and walking and to support the arch of your foot.

Sometimes, this ligament develops inflammation, and this inflammation is what we call plantar fasciitis. 

Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis

One clear sign that you may have plantar fasciitis is experiencing pain when you take your first steps after being off your feet for a time due to the fascia shortening when you’re at rest. 

The most prominent example of this is when you first get up in the morning and put weight on your feet after a full night of sleep. Plantar fasciitis triggers a sharp pain in that first moment where your feet hit the floor, but over a few steps, the pain often softens, although it can return later in the day depending on your activity.

Other symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Stabbing pain in the heel or bottom of your foot
• Burning across your foot
• Foot pain that gets worse after exercise
• Stiffness and mobility issues

Why Would I Get Plantar Fasciitis?

What makes some people come down with plantar fasciitis while others do not? There are several risk factors for plantar fasciitis, including:

• You have excessive pronation, which is when your feet roll inward too much when walking
• You have flat feet or excessively high arches, or you have tightness in your calf
• You’re on your feet a lot on hard surfaces such as in a factory, in retail, or a warehouse
• You’re overweight, which puts stress on your feet
• You’ve recently switched shoes or increased your activity level
• You’re wearing bad shoes that are cheap, worn out, or don’t fit correctly

Runners or athletes who run during a workout can come down with plantar fasciitis. Ballet dancers, long-distance marathoners, and aerobic dance instructors and their students can get plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is also common in people aged 40 to 60 but youth athletes can even get it. Arthritis can even cause the plantar fascia to inflame.

Plantar fasciitis can come on suddenly or over time and if you don’t have it looked at it can worsen and become chronic. Many people try to compensate for the pain of plantar fasciitis by changing how they walk. This can lead to back, hip, or knee problems.

How Is Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosed?

A foot and ankle specialist can diagnose plantar fasciitis. If you’re experiencing stinging, burning pain on the bottom of your foot and heel, see your doctor. There’s no reason to suffer and if you wait, your quality of life can be negatively affected. The plantar fasciitis can even worsen to the point where you can barely walk. 

During an initial exam when plantar fasciitis is suspected, your doctor will do a history and physical exam of the foot to determine when and possibly why the pain started. The doctor will try to find out how much swelling and tenderness you’re experiencing. Your ankle and foot reflexes will be tested and the alignment and range of motion will be determined. 

What Treatments Exist For Plantar Fasciitis? 

Plantar fasciitis can be treated. Every patient is different and some patients even receive relief from their symptoms by simply changing shoes. 

Treatment for plantar fasciitis can take six to nine months after you and your doctor settle on a treatment plan, which could include:

• Avoiding running or walking on hard surfaces
• Use shoes with more arch support and better cushioning 
• Resting, elevating, and icing the foot and heel
• Prescribing a foot brace for plantar fasciitis to wear at night or during the day
• Steroid shot in the bottom of the foot to reduce inflammation
• Taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin
• Toe and calf stretches several times a day, which a physical therapist can help you with

Your doctor may try several non-invasive treatments before considering a steroid shot or even surgery to alleviate the problem. In severe cases, an orthopaedic surgeon may perform plantar fascia release to make small cuts in the ligament to release the tightness and alleviate pain.

Why Walking Doesn’t Always Help

Walking around after lying or sitting for a time may ease plantar fasciitis symptoms as the ligament stretches out. However, the pain will gradually worsen throughout the day, making you very uncomfortable and affecting normal daily activities. In fact, walking may inflame the plantar fascia more, leading to an extension of your treatment. 

While it’s not walking alone that could further inflame the ligament, if you’re not wearing the right shoes or are exerting yourself too much, the plantar fasciitis can flare up.

When it comes to plantar fasciitis treatment, the best advice is to be patient. Relieving the pain can take some time. Within a few weeks after treatment you’ll notice your symptoms are gradually going away.

Get Plantar Fasciitis Relief Today at Advanced Orthopaedic Centers

If you have or suspect that you have plantar fasciitis, see your doctor. You don’t have to suffer through the pain alone. 

Advanced Orthopaedic Centers specializes in plantar fascia release surgery as well as other non-invasive approaches to help your body heal. Request an appointment today to find relief.