| Determining an effective treatment for plantar | | | | prevention of further injury or irritation of the |
| fasciitis is essential for patients suffering from the | | | | affected ligament. This allows each person to |
| pain associated with this condition.Plantar fasciitis is | | | | develop a more comprehensive approach towards |
| caused by the inflammation, swelling, and possible | | | | reducing the strain placed on the ligament. First, |
| tearing of the plantar ligament. Because this | | | | try stretching exercises before walking or |
| ligament provides the structure and function of | | | | standing. Just as stretching before exercise |
| the lower foot and heel area, common activities | | | | reduces the likelihood of sports injuries, stretching |
| like standing and walking strain and irritate the | | | | of the plantar ligament can help increase it's |
| ligament. This results in sharp bursts of pain, that | | | | flexibility and reduces the pain associated with |
| increase as the foot rotates thru its full range of | | | | standing and walking. This is particularly effective |
| motion. Additionally, the sufferer may also | | | | first thing in the morning. Often the ligament will |
| experience intense pain after sleep or long periods | | | | tighten during sleep or long periods of rest. By |
| of rest, due to a stiffening or tightening of the | | | | stretching the ligament, before walking or even |
| ligament during inactivity. Selecting the proper | | | | standing, you allow for a warm up period. The |
| course for treatment is often based upon the | | | | stress on the involved tissues is reduced before |
| level or degree of pain being experienced. Most | | | | any weight is applied, thereby lessening the strain |
| are common enough, as few cases of plantar | | | | that will be placed on the affected tissues once |
| fasciitis progress to a level requiring surgical repair | | | | you are standing and walking. |
| of the ligament. These treatments usually begin | | | | Next, proper footwear is essential. Without the |
| with the use of ice or cold compress to reduce | | | | proper support for the heel and arch area, the |
| the swelling and inflammation within the heel area. | | | | pain and swelling will continue. For some, this |
| This should be combined with a reduction in | | | | means wearing shoes designed to provide greater |
| physical activities, specifically keeping all weight and | | | | heel and arch support, while others may receive |
| pressure off of the affected heel and arch area. | | | | the same benefits from the addition of arch |
| For those experiencing higher degrees of pain or | | | | supports or gel pads to their existing shoes. Each |
| swelling, the use of crutches may be required to | | | | approach helps to provide the proper support for |
| keep weight off the affected area, but still allow | | | | the heel and arch, but they also give varying |
| some mobility. An emphasis should be placed on | | | | degrees of cushioning and reduce the impact |
| this point: keeping weight and stress off the | | | | placed on the foot during walking. The amount of |
| inflamed tissues reduces the level of pain the | | | | discomfort/pain while walking or standing is |
| person will suffer, as well as speeds their | | | | significantly reduced, and for some, eliminated |
| recovery time. Continued use while the ligament | | | | altogether. There are also night splints which can |
| and surrounding tissues are inflamed not only | | | | be worn during sleep. These are shaped much like |
| increases the level of pain and discomfort, it could | | | | a small boot, and allow for the correct support of |
| also result in further damage being caused. In | | | | the arch and heel during sleep. While this step |
| cases of excessive pain, or for a more specific | | | | may not be required for each person with |
| assessment and diagnosis requires a visit to a | | | | plantars fasciitis, those with more advanced cases |
| trained orthopedic specialist. | | | | experience a reduction of heel pain, allowing for a |
| The second and equally important step for | | | | more pleasant first step in the morning. |
| effective treatment of plantar fasciitis is the | | | | |