Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue begins to be affected. As a rule, the focus of inflammation is located near the heel and closer to the phalanges of the fingers. When the sole is regularly and severely injured, inflammation of the ascetic type appears. The described form of fasciitis begins to develop. The article will describe the causes in more detail, as well as symptoms, treatment and prevention measures.
Reasons
The causes of plantar fasciitis include a high load on the foot. As a rule, the greatest indicator of pressure is fixed near the heel. Symptoms appear in the older generation of people. Already by the age of forty, a large number of chronic diseases associated with the spine and joints occur. Because of this, all departments of the musculoskeletal system suffer greatly from the slightest load.
Plantar fasciitis develops, the photo of which is presented in the article, due to arthrosis, arthritis,excess weight, osteochondrosis, problems with blood vessels. Also affected are flat feet, prolonged load on the feet (for example, if the patient constantly stands during the day), and also a high arch.
Tight and uncomfortable shoes should be noted as provoking factors. Especially if it is worn down from one end. This indicates possible problems with the sole. If a person constantly receives microtrauma of the feet, then degenerative and inflammatory processes occur. Spurs and osteophytes may also form.
Symptoms
Next, consider the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Treatment depends largely on how the disease manifests.
It hurts the patient to step on the heel after sitting for a long time. In the evening, the unpleasant effect will only intensify. Then pains appear and in the mornings. With constant walking on the stairs, as well as staying in a standing position, there is severe discomfort.
If treatment is missing or incorrect, additional symptoms of plantar fasciitis may appear. The pain begins to spread to the ankle, as well as the arch of the foot. On the x-ray, you can see that the bone tissue began to grow near the heel. The foot swells and masses may appear.
It should be noted that osteophytes occur in the presence of fasciitis. These are solid formations that bring excruciating pain. The protrusion of the bone tissue does not allow the patient to stand on the foot normally. Because of it, movement without support is simply impossible. If the disease is started, then the patient will have touse crutches at all times.
Therapy
The question of how to treat plantar fasciitis is quite relevant. It should immediately be noted that you need to consult a doctor immediately. The diagnosis can be made depending on the initial examination, as well as on x-rays. This will clarify all the existing complications.
If the patient puts off going to the doctor, then he will develop degenerative and destructive processes that can lead to fatal consequences.
To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you need to apply complex therapy. Be sure to use tablets, ointments, and also limit the load that is placed on the diseased limb. You need to pay attention to your diet. If there is excess weight, you should get rid of it. It is because of this that the problem may worsen.
Therapy will be aimed at reducing the load on the foot and eliminating inflammation. With proper and timely treatment of plantar fasciitis, complete healing can be achieved. If we are talking about a neglected case, then osteophytes can appear. Accordingly, the patient will have excruciating pain. If the heel spur is broken (one of the complications), then the likelihood that a person will remain disabled is quite high.
Gymnastics
Due to the performance of special exercises, it is possible to achieve the elasticity of the aponeurosis. Gymnastics, which the patient does regularly, is capable oflengthen the fascia and reduce the risk of injury. Thanks to it, connective tissue can be strengthened. Also, many doctors recommend doing gymnastics as a preventive measure, as it allows you to protect yourself from the development of plantar fasciitis. Exercise therapy should be done every morning. First you need to knead the joints, and then perform the exercises prescribed by the specialist.
It is necessary to strictly follow all the instructions. Do not try to choose your own set of activities. Otherwise, you can make mistakes and achieve the opposite results. During the exercise, there should not be severe pain. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, it is necessary to reduce the load, as well as reduce the number of repetitions of exercises.
After performing gymnastic exercises, you should use a special tape or an elastic bandage. It will support the aponeurosis and fix the arch of the foot. The material should be well tensioned.
Using orthotics
In order to fix the foot at an angle of 90 degrees, you can use orthoses or brace. They are advised to wear at night. In the daytime, it is better to use orthopedic shoes or special insoles. Orthoses are an effective tool. They allow you to maintain elasticity and prevent shortening of the aponeurosis. This technique makes it possible to carry out the most successful treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Treatment methods
In addition to the above remedies, the patient should be prescribed other types of effects onproblem. How the pathology should be treated depends on the results of the diagnosis. The orthopedic doctor must choose the necessary methods of therapy himself.
If a person has problems with weight, then a nutritionist is connected. He will create a menu that will have a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Of course, the diet should be within the optimal number of calories consumed. The patient needs to consume more of those foods that will be useful for tissues, cartilage, ligaments, and so on.
In order to achieve an effective cure, it is necessary to use an integrated approach. Massage is performed, mud applications are made. Baths made from chamomile, pine needles, as well as sea s alt are excellent. Applying cold works well. Ointments and gels should be applied to the sore spot, which have a warming and anti-inflammatory effect. You need to take painkillers if necessary. For mild pain, doctors recommend Aspirin, and for severe pain, Naproxen. It is advisable to treat the foot with anti-inflammatory drugs that have a local effect.
If a patient has an advanced case of plantar fasciitis, the doctor may prescribe additional treatment measures. It can be laser, shock wave and ultrasound therapy. Sometimes injections of analgesics and glucocorticosteroids are prescribed.
Incompetently selected therapy can provoke the development of osteophytes and increase pain. The described disease also reduces a person's mobility. He will have to use crutches. If the case is tooprolonged and heavy, then an operation can be performed. It is necessary to remove bone growths and other affected areas of the foot.
Description of medical devices used
Ointments should only be applied to areas where pain is felt. So you can reduce it. Only those drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect are used. Many doctors call Voltaren the most effective remedy.
Patches impregnated with flurbiprofen are also used to prevent pain. They help with severe or chronic discomfort.
Oral agents act systemically and are capable of pain relief. Ibuprofen is recommended. It is often combined with the above ointments and patches. So you can enhance the effect and get rid of pain faster.
Intramuscular drugs are administered through a syringe. As such, drugs are used that relieve inflammation. “Cortisone” and so on can be similar. Hyaluronic acid is often used. It allows you to restore tissue and save the patient from inflammation.
Folk treatment
Treating plantar fasciitis at home requires discussion with your doctor. It is imperative to consult with a specialist so as not to harm yourself.
Night compresses are recommended. You should use the root of the cinquefoil. It should be poured into a thermos, and then poured with boiling water. For a couple of hours, the broth should be removed in any warmplace. Next, rub the root to the consistency of gruel and apply to the affected area. The compress should be kept all night, after bandaging the leg with a napkin and cellophane.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis with folk remedies brings results. Patients are advised to use serum. It is necessary to apply about 700 ml. The liquid must be boiled, and then poured into the basin. After the serum has cooled, you should steam your feet.
Ointments
Folk treatment of plantar fasciitis is also carried out using homemade ointments. One of the most effective is the one made from horseradish. You need to take its rhizome, and then grind it with a grater. An additional 20 grams of soap should be used. This ointment is applied at night. It is necessary to bandage the leg with cellophane.
Preventive measures
In order to protect your foot from the development of fasciitis, it is necessary to carry out a number of preventive measures. The risk of this pathology will decrease several times if you follow some rules.
Only comfortable shoes should be worn. It must have the correct block, and also be created from quality material. If there are any problems with the foot, special orthopedic models should be worn and insoles should not be abandoned. It is necessary to control the load that is carried out on the aponeurosis. If a person has a sedentary job, then he should do exercises from time to time. Activity is an essential condition for proper functioningorganism. Weight should be normal, you also need to follow the diet as much as possible. It should be understood that extra pounds are one of the most common factors that provoke pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. If the arch of the foot is constantly under heavy load, then the likelihood of fasciitis will increase. You should always check the condition of your spine and joints. If there are suspicions of problems with the musculoskeletal system, then you should immediately consult a doctor and start therapy.
When to see a specialist?
An orthopedist-traumatologist should be contacted immediately as soon as pain, swelling or any discomfort appears in the heel area. If you go to a specialist in time, you can quickly recognize fasciitis and stop inflammation at an early stage. With complex treatment, it will be possible to achieve healing without complications. In advanced cases, only surgery will help.
