Foot Pain with Your First Step in the Morning? Plantar Fasciitis! Inflammation of the Plantar Fascia!
Many people have experienced this situation at some point. The plantar fascia is a thin band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the front of the foot.
Plantar Fasciitis occurs due to the degeneration and stiffness of the plantar fascia. Simply put, the fascia loses its flexibility. When walking and putting weight on the foot, small tears occur repeatedly (repetitive trauma) every day. This reduces the strength of the fascia and leads to inflammation.
Symptoms: The pain is often felt in the heel with the first step after getting out of bed or after sitting for a long time. The pain usually decreases with continued walking, with the first step being the most painful. Pain can also be felt along the inside of the foot in the area of the plantar fascia and can be associated with Achilles tendonitis.
Risk Factors:
- Middle age (40-60 years)
- Overweight
- Prolonged standing or walking
- History of wearing high heels, hard-soled shoes, or walking barefoot at home
- Tight calf muscles, tight Achilles tendons, flat feet
Initial Treatments:
- Consult a rehabilitation physician for advice, to identify causes, and to avoid and correct risk factors. For example, wearing shoes at home to reduce impact and prevent direct contact with hard floors.
- Use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if there are no contraindications.
- Stretching the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles is crucial for lasting recovery. Emphasize stretching before taking the first step in the morning or after prolonged sitting. Stretching should not be painful, only a gentle pulling sensation.
- Shockwave therapy administered by a rehabilitation physician can stimulate micro-injuries to promote the body’s natural healing processes.
- Use medial arch supports to reduce pressure on the heel.
- Steroid injections are less popular nowadays due to the pain during injection and the long recovery time.
Source : Golden Jubilee Medical Center
แชร์