Plantar fasciitis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Plantar fasciitis or spur of the heel is a disease that involves inflammation of the foot, or rather its plantar fascia (PF), which is a powerful tissue bundle (in the language of physicians - aponeurosis).

PF supports the stop arch, playing the role of shock absorber.

Causes of the disease

The main cause of the disease is a small PF injury.

The risk of illness increases when a person:

• very long time is on his feet (because of standing work, for example), walks or runs;
• leads a way of life that assumes a constant sitting position, because of which the foot can not adapt to the load;
• sick or aching flat feet;
• has hollow feet;
• constantly wears shoes without using an instep (for example, slates, sneakers);
• suffers from overweight, which means, in addition, loads the foot;
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• is an athlete that increases the intensity of training:
• does not observe the technique of training, which can lead to excessive stretching.

Symptoms of the fasciitis of the soles- pain in the heel (arising immediately after a person has gotten out of bed or after spending a long time in a sitting position), which can grow. The most severe pain can occur after prolonged standing or after climbing the stairs.

Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis

To begin with, the doctor examines the patient's medical history, extracting information about when the pain began, about the area of ​​its localization and when it becomes the strongest. After that, he collects information about what kind of lifestyle the patient leads, and whether he has anatomical confirmation in the form of thin tendons or flat feet.

Next, palpation is carried out, the type and cause are determined.

Ultimately, ultrasound and radiography, MRI and CT are assigned to confirm the previously diagnosed diagnosis.

Considering all the above,40-70-year-old, active people, most often women. Also there is a high probability of getting sick runners, factory workers, waiters and many other representatives of standing professions.

Methods of treatment of heel fasciitis

The period of treatment can take a whole year, with the need to stretch the plantar aponeurosis and Achilles tendon. To do this, the patient will have to constantly perform special exercises. As an add-on, the tire is superimposed on the foot (at night time) to ensure its immobility with neutral rear bending.

Such actions will help to avoid the reduction of plantar aponeurosis. Obligatory depreciation of the heels with the help of heel pads is being carried out. The need to use insteps, designed for all foot water, for such problems doctors are not confirmed.

Actions aimed at relieving pain in the heel and foot:

• rest of legs;
• use of comfortable shoes;
• anesthesia;
• Exercise of some exercises to alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Treatment of plantar fasciitis in the home - exercises

You can do gymnastics at home, but before that you should consult a doctor.

Exercise # 1

The patient becomes near the wall and puts her right and left hands on her, while slightly placing her legs. The knee of the left leg is bent, not bending the back. Next, the slope to the wall is performed. A person should feel his calf muscles (their tension). In this position, you need to stay a few seconds, then relax.

Repeating 10 times, switch to the right leg, and do the exercise 10 more times, then use both legs to perform alternate bending, but now the back should be slightly bent. Practice the procedure you need at least 2 times a day.

Exercise 2

The patient becomes on the bottom step of the staircase, slightly arranging his legs (heels hang at the same time). Holding on to the railing, the heels should be lowered, not straightening the knees. And again, in carrying out such manipulations, a person should feel the tension of the calf muscles and hold this position for about a minute, after which to relax. Exercise 2 times a day, repeating 6 times in a row.

Exercise 3

A man needs to sit on the floor and stretch his legs forward, his knees should also remain straight. Then you need to stretch the fingers of one of the legs to the nose and keep it for half a minute. Repeat 3 times, repeating the procedure for the other leg. Perform the exercise itself only once a day.

Exercise 4

Now you need to sit on a chair, keeping your knees at a 90-degree angle, while both the heels and the feet as a whole should remain on the floor. Hold on like this for a few seconds, and then you can relax. Repeat should be at least 10 times, the number of repetitions per day is 6.

For treatment of fasciitis soles also use:

• steroid injections;
• extracorporeal (shock wave) and / or radiation therapy;
• overlapping of special tires;
• surgical intervention.

Cortisone injections are done only in the case when the pain does not disappear after the application of pain medication ("Paracetamol", Ibuprofen, performing also anti-inflammatory function) or cold compress. However, this does not solve the problem itself, only eliminates the unpleasant symptomatology.

The essence of extracorporeal therapy is the use of special medical equipment, thanks to which a high-energy sound wave effect on the affected area is realized, thereby stimulating PF healing. For a complete cure of the disease, it may take several sessions. Using this method, you need to be prepared for some side effects in the form of redness of the skin and swelling.

During the radiation therapy, X-ray irradiation (small doses) of the spur and plantar fascia is performed, providing a long-term action aimed at relieving the inflammation.

During surgery, the doctor gets rid of the spur and / and partially cuts the fibers of the PF. Thanks to the surgeon's intervention, 50 percent of all cases are managed.

A heel massage can be beneficial for the heel. To do this, use a low threshold, which is in any apartment. In the beginning the patient may feel pain, but very soon he will feel relief.

Preventive measures in the fight against plantar fasciitis

To avoid problems with the heel:

• regularly change sports shoes (sneakers, for example);
• wear shoes with good shock absorption in the area of ​​the heel or instep;
• lose weight if there is one;
• hold stretching of the fascia, Achilles tendon;
• Do not run on a hard surface.