Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis can be extremely unpleasant and incredibly disruptive to everyday life. Anybody can
develop plantar fasciitis, but most commonly occurs in middle-aged people and those who spend a lot
of time during the day on their feet. Plantar fasciitis is the most common root cause of heel pain, but
luckily, it is treatable, so relief is just around the corner.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the ligament connecting your heel to your toes gets strained and
becomes weak, irritated, and inflamed. Any activity that results in a strain to the ligament supporting
the arch of your foot can lead to plantar fasciitis. Repeated strain to the ligament can result in small
tears, causing pain and swelling.

The most common ways plantar fasciitis is developed are:
• excessive pronation, i.e. rolling feet inward while walking
• long bouts of walking, standing or running, especially on hard surfaces
• wearing improperly fitting or damaged footwear
• obesity
• having either particularly flat feet or high arches
• tight calf muscles or Achilles tendons

Plantar fasciitis usually stems from long-term damage, meaning the symptoms tend to appear in a
gradual fashion as the damage is occurring. Catching it early can help expedite the healing process,
but relief is possible for those at any stage. Much of the healing process is focused on preventing any
contributing factors that may have had a hand in the initial damage.

A telltale sign of plantar fasciitis is the occurrence of pain mere minutes after taking your first steps
out of bed in the morning. Many sufferers find their stiffness and discomfort lessen after a little
while, though some individuals experience even more pain as the day goes on. Climbing stairs or
standing for extended periods of time can worsen the pain of plantar fasciitis.

Not all foot pain can be attributed to plantar fasciitis. Foot pain that happens at night or foot pain
that radiates through the shin can sometimes be blamed on issues like arthritis, nerve issues, or shin
splints. These ailments are certainly treatable, but they require specialized care.

The best step you can take in addressing your foot pain is to talk to your family physician about it.
Your medical care team can properly diagnose the issue and help you to develop a treatment plan
that is suitable for your particular needs.

Do you experience mild foot pain due to plantar fasciitis? Try these tips:
• reduce activities that result in pain, e.g. running on hard surfaces
• apply ice to your heel to reduce inflammation
• consider heel cups or orthotic inserts for your footwear

Plantar fasciitis can be extremely unpleasant and disruptive, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have
foot or heel pain, speak to one of our physicians about a diagnosis for your pain as well as effective
ways to find relief.

Custom orthotics are available at our Macleod Trail South location in Calgary. Call (403) 910-3990 or
stop by #4120 Sunpark Plaza SE to schedule an appointment.