Talk About Pain: Foot Pain

TalkaboutPain

Where people can get together and share information to help with pain.

Foot Pain:

I am going to talk about a foot problem that most people have never heard of, let alone can pronounce, including me. Plantar Fasciitis is an extremely painful aliment, in my case mostly on the bottom of my foot towards the middle. It hurts me all the time, except when I am lying down. The pain is worse for me when I am sitting or standing still which is not the norm. My doctor believes that my lower back problems are directly related to pain being even worse in those circumstances.
Below is a photo of the Plantar Fascia to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

Planta Fac Color Photo Foot bottom

Plantar fasciitis, is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot or biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation of the foot. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing. Obesity, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition.

The plantar fascia is a ligament band running from your heel to the ball of your foot. This band pulls on the heel bone, raising the arch of your foot as it pushes off the ground. But if your foot moves incorrectly, the plantar fascia may become strained. The fascia may swell and its tiny fibers may begin to fray, causing plantar fasciitis
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CAUSES:
Plantar fasciitis is often caused by poor foot mechanics. If your foot flattens too much, the fascia may overstretch and swell. If your foot flattens too little, the fascia may ache from being pulled too tight.

SYMPTOMS:
With Plantar Fasciitis, the bottom of your foot may hurt when you stand, especially first step in the morning. Pain usually occurs on the inside of the foot, near the spot where your heel and arch meet. Pain may lessen after a few steps, but it comes back after rest or with prolonged movement. It is important for those with Plantar Fasciitis to avoid irritating activities, and barefoot walking on hard surfaces.

Treatment:
Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for 2-4 weeks in conjunction with other treatments.
Other treatments include weight loss when appropriate, heel cord (Achilles) and plantar fascia stretching. Taping the heel and arch may also help reduce pain. Medial longitudinal arch supports, can be used if they produce a positive result.
Massaging the Fascia by rolling foot over a 3-4 inch diameter tube such as a rolling pin or soup can has be an effective treatment.

Plantar Foot Roll Tube Foot Stretch Foot Stretch on stair

Strengthening exercises include scrunching up a hand towel with the toes or pulling a towel weighted with a soup can across the floor. After exercising, applying a cold pack to heel at point of maximal tenderness for 15-20 minutes can relieve pain.
Proper footwear with arch support is also recommended. I personally have tried two different orthotics and they didn’t help at all. The reason why they didn’t work could be because of my back aggravating the situation.
Below are two pictures of devices you would wear to help treatment and orthotics which are suppose to stabilize your feet and help with the pain.

Plantar Cast Plantar Wrap orthitics

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