Plantar Fasciitis and heel pains....?

Question

I am on my school's Cross Country team, and have been having heel pain, moderate pain, not dull aching or stabbing pain, but a sharp one in my heel and the surrounding area next to the ankle. I have heard a lot about Plantar Fasciitis and I am trying to figure out if I have it. When I go up or down the stairs or am trying to run the pain is the worst. It sometimes hurts when I am walking normally, but not always. I have been trying to stay off of it as much as possible, but that is difficult. What do you think this is?

Answer 1

Patients, and sometimes doctors often confuse the terms plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Plantar fasciitis refers to the syndrome of inflammation of the band of tissue that runs from the heel along the arch of the foot; a heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone (calcaneus). About 70% of patients with plantar fasciitis have been noted to have a heel spur that can be seen on X-Ray.
Who gets plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is most often seen in middle-aged men and women, but can be found in all age groups. Plantar fasciitis is diagnosed with the classic symptoms of pain well localized over the heel area of the bottom of the foot. Often the pain from plantar fasciitis is most severe when you first stand on your feet in the morning. Pain often subsides quite quickly, but then returns after prolonged standing or walking.

Plantar fasciitis is sometimes, but not always, associated with a rapid gain of weight. Plantar fasciitis is also sometimes seen in recreational athletes, especially runners. In these athletes, it is thought that the repetitive nature of the sports causes the damage to the fibrous tissue that forms the arch of the foot.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis is with short-term rest and controlling the inflammation. Here are the steps patients should take in order to cure their plantar fasciitis:
Rest
Avoiding the precipitating activity; for example, take a few day off jogging or prolonged standing/walking. Just resting usually helps to eliminate the most severe pain, and will allow the inflammation to begin to cool down.

Apply Ice Packs
Icing will help to diminish some of the symptoms and control the heel pain. Icing is especially helpful after an acute exacerbation of symptoms.

Trouble finding a good way to apply ice treatments to your plantar fasciitis or arch pain? Try this...
Get some 12 or 16 oz plastic water bottles (Aquifina, Dasani, whatever you choose)

Place water bottles in freezer

Once frozen, roll the bottle under your foot for 10-15 minutes

Refreeze the bottle for your next treatment

Exercises and Stretches
Exercises and stretches are designed to relax the tissues that surround the heel bone.

Some simple exercises, performed in the morning and evening, often help patients feel better quickly.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory medications help to both control pain and decrease inflammation. Over-the-counter medications are usually sufficient, but prescription options are also available.

Shoe Inserts
Shoe inserts are often the key to successful treatment of plantar fasciitis. The shoe inserts often permit patients to continue their routine activities without pain.

Night Splints
Night splints are worn to keep the heel stretched out when you sleep. By doing so, the arch of the foot does not become contracted at night, and is hopefully not as painful in the morning.

These modalities alone will cure the plantar fasciitis pain in most patients. Be forewarned that the symptoms will not resolve quickly. Most patients find relief within about three months, and over 90% within one year.

If the pain does not resolve, an injection of cortisone can decrease the inflammation of plantar fasciitis. However, many physicians do not like to inject cortisone because there are potentially serious problems with cortisone injections in the heel area. The two problems that cause concern are fat pad atrophy and plantar fascial rupture. Both of these problems occur in a very small percentage of patients, but they can cause a worsening of heel pain symptoms.

Answer 2

Before you get out of bed, do some stretching, i.e. point your toes to the ceiling so you get a good stretch in your calf. Do that for about five minutes. Also icing your heel two to three times a day will help. Take ibuprofen three to four times a day for the inflammation, 400-600 mg. More stretching to do is standing on a step with your heel hanging off the edge or try the "runner's" stretch against a wall. I had plantar fasciitis and did all the above, and it worked. Good luck!

Answer 3

If u want to totally eradicate plantar fasciitis within few weeks then u must follow the steps mentioned in this site : http://treatmyplantarfasciitis.us.to - It totally helped me out.Good luck!

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

Walk-n-Heal arch inserts worked for me. No injections, no drugs. I just put them on and walked and functioned normally.
Vince.