Plantar Fasciitis May Cause Severe Pain in Your Arch
One of the most common, and painful, causes of painful arches is plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the plantar fascia.
The plantar fascia is a band of fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and helps secure the arch.
Athletes who run and jump and do marathons often develop this condition.
As you move through middle age you can also have arch discomfort from being overweight, by wearing shoes that are too narrow, or even by standing on a ladder or step stool for a long time.
The inflammation may be aggravated by shoes that lack the right support, especially for the arches.
The point is when you keep stretching that fibrous tissue it starts tearing at different points all the way to the heel bone.
If you do not pay attention to what is happening, the pain gets worse.
Then you develop bone spurs which are calcium deposits that are visible on x-rays.
They can measure up to half an inch long and they form on the heel when the small muscles associated with fascia begin tugging hard on the heel bone.
The good news is that these spurs do not have nerve endings, so they are not painful by themselves.
However, if they stress the plantar fascia, they can worsen the pain.
What makes this really bad is the plantar fasciitis places more stress on your Achilles tendon.
In other words now you are more at risk for developing Achilles tendinitis.
The best treat for plantar fasciitis is to take an NSAID or ibuprofen and start moving.
Resting only provides temporary relief.
When you are up, especially after sleeping, you probably will feel pain from the fascia band stretching and pulling on the heel or from the heel spur digging into the fascia.
The heel pain may decrease as you walk but it often returns after resting.
The reason is that the plantar fascia is trying to heal so it tightens.
Try wearing a strap on night splint which keeps the plantar fascia stretched as it heals.
Also wear supportive shoes with stiff heel counters and good arch supports.
If the pain persists see a foot care specialist.
She will probably prescribe a more powerful oral anti-inflammatory or inject a steroid into the inflamed area.
She will probably prescribe orthotics to relieve strain and physical therapy.
If the inflammation is severe, it may take three months or more of therapy and rest before the plantar fascia fully heals.
If the pain persists, you may require plantar release surgery, a procedure that involves cutting the plantar fascia to allow it to reattach properly to the heel and metatarsal bones.
This recovery lasts about 2 months and you will need a cast and crutches.
The plantar fascia is a band of fibrous connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and helps secure the arch.
Athletes who run and jump and do marathons often develop this condition.
As you move through middle age you can also have arch discomfort from being overweight, by wearing shoes that are too narrow, or even by standing on a ladder or step stool for a long time.
The inflammation may be aggravated by shoes that lack the right support, especially for the arches.
The point is when you keep stretching that fibrous tissue it starts tearing at different points all the way to the heel bone.
If you do not pay attention to what is happening, the pain gets worse.
Then you develop bone spurs which are calcium deposits that are visible on x-rays.
They can measure up to half an inch long and they form on the heel when the small muscles associated with fascia begin tugging hard on the heel bone.
The good news is that these spurs do not have nerve endings, so they are not painful by themselves.
However, if they stress the plantar fascia, they can worsen the pain.
What makes this really bad is the plantar fasciitis places more stress on your Achilles tendon.
In other words now you are more at risk for developing Achilles tendinitis.
The best treat for plantar fasciitis is to take an NSAID or ibuprofen and start moving.
Resting only provides temporary relief.
When you are up, especially after sleeping, you probably will feel pain from the fascia band stretching and pulling on the heel or from the heel spur digging into the fascia.
The heel pain may decrease as you walk but it often returns after resting.
The reason is that the plantar fascia is trying to heal so it tightens.
Try wearing a strap on night splint which keeps the plantar fascia stretched as it heals.
Also wear supportive shoes with stiff heel counters and good arch supports.
If the pain persists see a foot care specialist.
She will probably prescribe a more powerful oral anti-inflammatory or inject a steroid into the inflamed area.
She will probably prescribe orthotics to relieve strain and physical therapy.
If the inflammation is severe, it may take three months or more of therapy and rest before the plantar fascia fully heals.
If the pain persists, you may require plantar release surgery, a procedure that involves cutting the plantar fascia to allow it to reattach properly to the heel and metatarsal bones.
This recovery lasts about 2 months and you will need a cast and crutches.