Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Night Splints
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What is Plantar Fasciitis? Causes of Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints Plantar Fasciitis Exercises
Plantar Fasciitis Products
Plantarfasciitisbraces.com is an information source about plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain, and treatment options with night splints.
Plantarfasciitisbraces.com does not sell product for plantar fasciitis but provides a link to our favorite recommended product site www.docortho.com to purchase night splints.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of localized heel pain and is the most common foot problem seen in medical practices. More than 2.5 million new cases of plantar fasciitis are reported each year.
Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament structure that supports the arch of the foot. The plantar fascia is a tough, fibrous band of connective tissue that runs from the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It plays an important part in the normal foot mechanics during walking and running.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia is strained as a result of increased or over activity, poor foot biomechanics, or in association with the normal aging process. The ligament is typically strained repeatedly, over time before the onset of plantar fasciitis. As the ligament stretches beyond its normal extension it causes the soft tissues of the fascia to tear, usually at the point where attached to the heel bone. This leads to inflammation, heel pain, and possible growth of a bone spur (calcaneus) at the heel bone attachment.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
In active young and middle aged adults plantar fasciitis is typically caused from running, jumping or walking on hard surfaces. Runners, tennis players and basketball players are often affected by plantar fasciitis.
Biomechanic factors of the foot can cause plantar fasciitis. People will high arches, flat feet, or tight tendons (Achilles tendons) are susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis. Excessive inward twisting (pronation) can cause tension on the plantar fascia as the arch lowers during standing or walking.
Aggravating factors, such as being overweight or wearing poorly cushioned shoes with no arch support can also contribute to development of plantar fasciitis.
In the natural aging process tendons, ligaments and muscles start to lose their normal elasticity and resilience making them more prone to strain just during normal daily activities. Plantar fasciitis is very common in the active elderly.
Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Increased or athletic activity
- Running, jumping, walking or standing on hard or uneven surfaces
- Flat feet or high arched, rigid feet
- Poor supporting shoes
- Large weight gain, pregnancy or overweight
- Tight plantar fascia ligament or Achilles tendon
- Normal aging
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Generally the first tell-tale sign of plantar fasciitis is heel pain during the first steps after getting out of bed or sitting for a long period of time. The degree of heel pain can sometimes lessen with activity, leading to a false sense of relief. The pain often returns after prolonged rest or extensive walking. Pain often progresses if the condition is left untreated and can become excruciating and persistent as the ligament is more severely strained. Heel pain is usually located on the medial (inside) area of the heel.
Common Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:
- Starts as a dull, intermittent heel pain or arch
pain, progressing to a sharp, persistent pain.
- A sharp, piercing pain and/or inflammation through
heel and foot that usually occurs in the morning or after resting and
gradually disappears with walking.
- Tightness in calf muscles or Achilles tendon.
- Noticeable heel pain after long periods of standing
or walking.
- Heel pain worsens when climbing stairs or standing on
the toes.
- Heel pain lessens with activity but returns during rest.
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
Most cases of plantar fasciitis can be treated with relatively simple conservative methods. Only in rare cases is surgery actually necessary. Conservative methods such as a combination of night splints, rest and ice, orthotics, and stretching exercises have been repeatedly proven to be effective in treating plantar fasciitis.
Click to review medical studies on the effectiveness of night splints.
Even though treatment is simple it may take several months for symptoms to resolve themselves. Remember that a strained ligament occurs after repeated stress and will take repeated rest and treatment to heal. Also, the longer the symptoms have been present and the more severe the heel pain, the even longer the treatment course.
The first step is to eliminate the activity that caused the strain. Modify your activity or exercise patterns to reduce stress on the foot, rest and elevate the foot whenever possible, and start daily plantar fasciitis stretching techniques.
Click here for a complete list of suggested treatment options.
Plantar fasciitis can be self-treated with conservative methods. Plantar fasciitis night splints are commonly available through online dealers and home medical equipment dealers. For complete information click plantar fasciitis night splints and plantar fasciitis exercises.
Severe or persistent plantar fasciitis should be diagnosed by a medical professional. Podiatrists treat conditions of the foot and ankle including plantar fasciitis. To find a Podiatrist in your area please visit www.apma.org. During diagnosis a Podiatrist will review the history of your symptoms, determine where your heel or foot is tender, check your flexibility, and may take an x-ray of your heel.
Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints
The most effective and simplest part of any plantar fasciitis treatment plan is the use of night splints. Night splints have been proven to speed healing and reduce the associated heel pain and inflammation from plantar fasciitis. Also, night splints help reduce the heel pain during those first steps in the morning.
Plantar Fasciitis splints are typically called night splints because they are worn at night during sleep or during rest after activity. Often the most severe pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis is experienced in the morning, which could cause the first few steps to be excruciating. The position of the feet and ankles as we sleep promotes cramping of the fascia and calf muscles. When feet are pointed under the weight of blankets the plantar fascia is contracted (shortened). Those first steps in the morning are painful because the fascia which as been contracted all night is suddenly stretched and pulled.
Night Splints are designed to comfortably position the foot in a controlled amount of dorsiflexion to provide a gentle stretch to the plantar fascia and Achilles Tendon. This gentle stretch helps reduce the muscle contracture, inflammation, and associated heel pain, and helps promote healing of plantar fasciitis. Night splints have also been clinically proven to reduce symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Night Splints can be used to treat the following conditions:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Plantarflexion Contractures
- Heel Spurs
- Equinous Conditions
- Pronation Syndromes
- Muscle Tightening and Runner's Cramp
Click here to review our favorite night splints with information on where to purchase.
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