Q: I have been experiencing severe pain under my heels and below my right foot for the last couple of months. It gets worse in the mornings when I can barely stand up. Please advise.
AS, Jamshedpur
Your condition sounds like a classic case of Plantar Fasciitis. This is a condition that causes pain in the feet, most frequently the heels. Due to inflammation of the supporting structures of the foot, pain or burning sensations are deeply felt. There are several causes for this inflammation, and they often work in conjunction with one another.
Standing for several hours on a hard surface, running too much or too hard, wearing ill fitting shoes or shoes without adequate arch support, being overweight, and unusual tightness in the feet or legs may all lead to Plantar Fasciitis.
This condition can usually be diagnosed without extensive testing, since the most common sign of Plantar Fasciitis is heel pain upon waking up in the morning, or after an extended period of rest. Usually, the pain decreases to some extent after a person loosens up and becomes fully engaged in an activity.
Applying ice or soaking the feet may help alleviate discomfort temporarily, as may over-the-counter pain relief medications and putting the feet up to rest them. However, Plantar Fasciitis should be treated to avoid further damage. One of the simplest and most effective treatments include stretching exercises. Stretch the foot by picking up small items off the floor with the toes and placing them in a box. This is an exercise that anyone can do at home especially because it involves no special equipment.
Other simple options include changing to better quality, better fitting shoes to help absorb shock, or using commercially available orthotics. Orthotics come in over-the-counter styles, such as arch supports, heel cups, and full foot inserts, but they can also be custom made by creating a cast of the patient’s foot. Custom made orthotics can be expensive and it does take a while to have them made, but if your pain is severe, it may be well worth the time and expense. Night splints, which are quite effective in treating Plantar Fasciitis, may be advised by your doctor. Surgery is necessary in rare cases to unbind ligaments.
Women are usually the most common victims of Plantar Fasciitis. But it can be a problem for anyone with short or damaged Achilles tendons, high arch, low arch, or flat feet. If you believe that you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, do not ignore it hoping that it will go away. This condition can create permanent damage and can change the way you walk, leading to a host of other problems.
