Perth podiatrist<\/a> <\/strong>will diagnose plantar fasciitis by performing a physical exam and checking your symptoms. He or she may also order an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, such as a stress fracture or nerve entrapment.<\/p>\nYour doctor may recommend resting your foot by reducing or stopping activities that aggravate the pain. This might include limiting athletic activities that cause your feet to pound on hard surfaces and taking up low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling. Your doctor may also recommend stretching your foot and calves to help with the pain.<\/p>\n
Over-the-counter NSAIDs can help reduce pain and swelling. If NSAIDs don’t help, your doctor might suggest extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) to stimulate the tissue and encourage healing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Treatment<\/h2>\n
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain that comes on the bottom of your foot, usually in the area of your heel. The pain may be a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation. You may notice that the pain is worse when you first step out of bed in the morning, but it typically lessens or disappears as your feet warm up.<\/p>\n
Most people with this condition get better within nine to 12 months after starting simple treatment methods. These include resting the affected foot as much as possible and changing or avoiding activities that cause pain. Using shoe inserts to cushion your feet and reduce stress on your heels is also helpful. Icing the sore spot on your foot several times a day and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to decrease pain and inflammation are also recommended.<\/p>\n
Your doctor may suggest that you work with a physical therapist on stretching exercises to help stretch your calf muscles and plantar fascia. These exercises should be done several times a day. A physical therapist can also recommend a variety of treatments, including ice treatments and massage therapy, to decrease your pain and inflammation.<\/p>\n
If these treatments aren\u2019t effective, your doctor may want to order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound. These tests aren\u2019t used to diagnose plantar fasciitis but are sometimes ordered if the other treatments don\u2019t help or if your doctor thinks there is another cause of your heel pain.<\/p>\n
Prevention<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re experiencing pain in your heel or foot that doesn\u2019t get better within a week, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you find at-home treatments to reduce inflammation and improve your symptoms.<\/p>\n
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the dense tissue band that runs along the bottom of your foot irritates or tightens, causing painful heel and arch pain. The pain is usually felt when you stand or walk and can feel like a bruise or an ache. The pain can also be felt when climbing or walking up or down stairs, especially when you\u2019re first getting out of bed or after sitting for a long time.<\/p>\n
Prevention options for plantar fasciitis include keeping the calf muscles and Achilles tendon flexible and avoiding overuse of your feet. Adding stretches to your routine can also decrease the likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis, as well as wearing shoes with proper support and making sure your arches aren\u2019t too high.<\/p>\n
For those who continue to have heel pain that doesn\u2019t improve with rest and other nonsurgical treatment options, a doctor may recommend a cortisone injection or more intensive therapy. Most people who receive conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis experience improvement within 12 months. For severe cases, surgery may be required.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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