The plantar fascia is a slim, strong band that runs beneath your foot, forming the arch. It stretches from your heel to your toes.
Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia, a band in your foot, gets inflamed from too much stretching or usage, leading to heel and foot pain. This can affect one or both feet, often happens from standing a lot, and is a typical foot problem for active men aged 40 to 70.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is when the plantar fascia ligament gets strained or irritated. Constant strain might cause small tears in the ligament, causing pain and swelling that makes walking hard.
Strains can result from:
1. Having a very high or low arch in your foot.
2. Being overweight or quickly gaining weight.
3. A stiff Achilles tendon, the link between your calf and heel.
4. Beginning a fresh activity or boosting its difficulty.
5. Poor footwear choices like too soft soles, ill-fitting shoes, or inadequate arch support.
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Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis typically causes heel and foot pain and stiffness. This pain is usually worse:
1. When you first get up in the morning.
2. If you walk after long periods of sitting or standing.
3. When going up stairs.
4. Following exercise.
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose plantar fasciitis by discussing your medical history and checking your foot for pain, firmness, or redness on the bottom. They might observe how you stand and walk and look into other factors like high arches.
Your doctor may request foot X-rays to check for a stress fracture (a tiny crack in the bone), or conditions like a heel spur, an excess buildup of calcium on the heel bone.
Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment includes simple steps to ease the condition. These steps are: 1. Rest: Begin with rest, which helps lessen pain and protects the ligament from more harm.
2. Ice: Apply ice by rolling your foot over it. Do this for 20 minutes, 3-4 times daily, to decrease swelling.
3. Medications: NSAIDs can be used to ease pain and lessen inflammation.
4. Exercise: Try calf and plantar fascia stretches to alleviate pain.
5. Steroid Injection: An injection may be given in the plantar fascia to lessen pain and swelling.
6. Shoes & Orthotics: Supportive footwear and orthotics can make walking or standing more comfortable.
7. Night Splints: Your doctor may advise wearing night splints to stretch the plantar fascia during sleep.
8. Physical Therapy: Learn stretching exercises, massage techniques, and ice applications.
9. ESWT: Physical therapists might use shockwave impulses to help heal the plantar fascia.
Surgery for Plantar Fasciitis
Surgery is an option if after a year, other treatments haven’t helped. The type of surgery you'll get depends on your specific case.
Gastrocnemius recession surgery lengthens tight calf muscles to reduce strain on the plantar fascia. Your surgeon will make your calf muscle longer, improving ankle movement. It's done with an open cut or through a tiny cut using an endoscope, a camera-equipped tool.
Plantar Fascia Release: Should you retain good ankle movement but still suffer from heel pain, we suggest a partial release surgery. In this, your surgeon will delicately slice a portion of your plantar fascia ligament to lessen the strain. While this operation can be done using an endoscope, the open incision method is simpler and carries a reduced likelihood of harming nerves.
Risks and Complications
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is usually safe, but like all surgeries, risks exist. Possible issues include:
1. Infection.
2. Nerve damage.
3. Persistent pain.
MEET YOUR RECOVERY TEAM
Kanwal Bhardwaj
PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT
Meet Kanwal Bhardwaj, PT, M.Sc.PT, CIMT, CMNT, the driving force behind Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the field, Kanwal brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic healing to his practice. Kanwal's journey began with a Master of Science in Orthopedic Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University in 2004. Over the years, he honed his skills and gained invaluable insights during 18 years of service in outpatient physical therapy offices. In 2014, fueled by a desire to deepen his understanding of patient care, he pursued a manual therapy certification (CIMT). This transformative experience allowed him to adopt a whole-body perspective, focusing on treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms...
At Stride Physical Therapy, we're dedicated to transforming lives. With a focus on the root cause of your condition, we're here to help you regain mobility and embrace an active lifestyle. What sets us apart? Our genuine passion for what we do. Let's stride towards a brighter tomorrow together.
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Health Blog
Is a Herniated Disc Causing Your Back Pain?
Struggling with Persistent Back Pain? It Could Be a Herniated Disc
If you're dealing with unusual back or neck pain, or even numbness in your limbs, it could be due to a herniated disc. These issues can cause a range of confusing symptoms, but you don’t have to face them alone!
Our physical therapists at Stride Physical Therapy are here to help you understand herniated discs, their symptoms, and how we can help relieve your pain through targeted treatment.
Understanding Herniated Discs
A herniated disc, also known as a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc, occurs when a spinal disc’s outer layer weakens and allows the inner fluid to push outward. Discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock to keep the spine stable. But over time, wear and tear or sudden injuries can cause these discs to bulge or tear, leading to a herniation. Common causes include aging, accidents, or even heavy lifting.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Not all herniated discs cause pain, but if they press on nearby nerves, you might experience:
Pain that increases with movement, like standing up or sitting down
Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs
Discomfort in the lower back, especially after bending or twisting
Neck pain (if the affected disc is in the cervical area)
Symptoms following an accident or physical stress, like lifting a heavy object
If you find that heat, cold, or massage brings relief, it could be a strain rather than a disc issue. For accurate diagnosis, imaging such as an X-ray is often the best approach, as it can reveal whether a disc is pressing on a nerve.
Treatment Options
Physical therapy offers effective relief and can help you regain strength and mobility without invasive measures. Our therapists will begin with a full assessment, pinpointing the exact cause of your pain to create a personalized recovery plan. Your treatment may include:
Manual therapy to relieve muscle tension
Ice and heat therapies for pain management
Traction to gently relieve pressure on spinal discs
Advanced techniques like Class IV laser therapy or TENS for targeted relief
Education on posture and safe lifting to prevent future injuries
Our goal is to help you heal naturally, minimizing the need for medications or surgery. Physical therapy is a holistic approach designed to reduce pain, improve function, and support your body’s healing process.
Ready to Feel Better?
A herniated disc can be painful, but recovery is within reach. Many people find lasting relief through physical therapy, even avoiding surgery. We’re here to strengthen your back or neck, support your recovery, and help you avoid future injury.
Get in touch with Stride Physical Therapy today to learn how we can help relieve your back pain and get you back to doing the things you love.
