Nothing can disrupt your daily routine like pain that immobilizes you. If you are experiencing chronic pain in Greensboro NC in the bottom of your heel, you should see your physician. The pain could be due to the inflammation of your plantar fascia ligament.

Various non-surgical treatments may offer pain relief depending on the extent and cause of the inflammation. However, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment in severe cases. Here is a closer look at plantar fasciitis.

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What Is It?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain in the bottom of your heel. The plantar fascia is the tendon connecting the front of your foot to your heel. It supports your foot's arch and acts as a shock absorber, helping you walk. For this reason, it experiences so much wear and tear in your daily life and makes the condition a leading complaint in orthopedics.

Too much pressure on your feet can tear or damage your plantar fascia making it inflamed, leading to stiffness and pain in your heel.

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Causes Of Plantar Fasciitis In Greensboro NC

Contrary to traditional belief, plantar fasciitis is not a typical result of heel spurs. Experts believe the condition develops due to overusing or overstretching this ligament. However, a tear in the ligament can also result in pain. Other factors such as your foot structure can increase the risk of developing the condition.

It is more common in men than women. It is especially true in pregnant women during their late-term. Experts note that people between 40 and 70 years old are at the highest risk of the condition.

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Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors

You are at a higher risk of developing the condition if:

• You are a long-distance athlete or runner
• You are obese or overweight. It increases pressure on your plantar fascia tendons
• You have structural foot problems like flat feet or high arches
• You often wear shoes with poor arch support or soft soles
• You have a job requiring being on your feet for long periods
• You have tight Achilles tendons. These are the tendons attaching your heel to your calf muscle

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Symptoms Of Plantar Fasciitis

The condition's main symptom is pain at the bottom of your heel. It often affects one foot but can affect both your feet and extend to the bottom mid-foot area. Pain from the condition develops slowly over time. In some people, the pain might be sharp or dull, while in others, it may be in the form of an ache or burning on the bottom of the foot. This pain is often worse when you take the first steps after waking up or climbing stairs. People with the condition do not feel pain during prolonged activity but after stopping.

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Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

The use of home remedies like braces, icing, anti-inflammatory medications, and rest can work. Doctors can inject a corticosteroid into the affected area if they do not work. Additionally, non-surgical treatments are also available. They include:

• Shock wave therapy
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises

If these do not work, surgical treatments are also available. They include the plantar fascia release procedure and gastrocnemius recession.

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For more on plantar fasciitis, visit Pain and Laser Centers of North Carolina at our office in Greensboro NC. You can also call (336) 299-3037 today to book an appointment.