Plantar fasciitis treatment in Phoenix
Plantar fasciitis can be a very complex issue and can have many different causes. Scroll down to learn all about plantar fasciitis causes, and treatment options from Dr. Tarr if you are in the Phoenix area.
Where do you get plantar fasciitis?
Your plantar fascia is the largest ligament in your foot, and goes from the bottom of your heel to the ball of your foot. The plantar fascia is important in helping to support the arch of your foot, as well as allowing your foot to function normally when walking, standing, or running. [1]
Plantar fasciitis happens where the plantar fascia inserts at the heel bone becomes very inflamed and painful. This can make it very hard to walk, stand, or to do activities that you love doing. Heel pain is the most common symptom.
Causes of plantar fascia pain
01
Overuse or strain
Probably the most common cause of plantar fascia pain is repeated stress or excessive use of the feet, such as from prolonged walking, running, or standing. Sudden changes to your physical activity level, like starting a new exercise regimen, starting a job that requires you to stand or walk for hours, or being what is known as a “weekend warrior” (a person that is relatively inactive during the week, but then will work out or play sports on the weekends when they have their free time) all will increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
02
Foot type & biomechanics
The 2nd most common cause of plantar fascia pain cause is your foot type and or biomechanics. Biomechanics is how your foot functions when you’re walking, standing, or running. Flat feet, high arches, abnormal biomechanics, and improper technique/training during physical activities can put increased stress on the plantar fascia, and increase the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
03
Wearing the wrong types of shoes
The 3rd plantar fascia pain cause is wearing shoes that are not right for your foot type, that are too small or too flimsy, or that are poor quality, all are factors that can increase your risk of plantar fasciitis. For example, wearing cheap, flimsy, mass-produced, foam flip flops daily, especially to run errands, and to talk distances, will definitely increase your risk of developing plantar fasciitis regardless of foot type.
04
Obesity
Excess body weight puts added stress and strain on the plantar fascia, which can then increase the risk of inflammation and plantar fascia pain.
05
Tight calf muscles, Achilles tendon, and hamstring
Another cause of plantar fascia pain is tightness or a lack of flexibility in the posterior chain of your leg (Achilles tendon, calf muscles, and hamstring). This can limit how much your ankle can move properly, which then can place more stress on the plantar fascia and lead to plantar fasciitis.
06
A weak posterior chain muscle group
In addition to a tight posterior chain in the leg, weakness in the Achilles tendon, calf muscles, or hamstring can throw off gait and lead to abnormal foot biomechanics, which increases your risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
07
Your body changes in so many ways during pregnancy, and your feet are no exception. Due to rapid weight changes in pregnancy, also added loosening of ligaments all over the body, the feet included, can change the biomechanics in the feet, and thus increase the risk of pregnant women developing plantar fascia pain.
08
Age
Age can be a cause of plantar fascia pain as well. Plantar fasciitis is more common in middle-aged and older people, though young people can and do develop plantar fasciitis as well. The plantar fascia may become less flexible over time, as we age. This increases the risk of plantar fasciitis with age.
09
Job/work factors
Constantly having to stand, walk, or having to lift heavy objects on very unforgiving flooring such as concrete, or tile increases your risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Some jobs also will require you to wear shoes that are not ideal for your foot type, or for anyone’s feet in general, which also increases the risk of developing plantar fasciitis.
10
Certain medical problems
Some medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or RA, and diabetes, can increase the risk of developing plantar fascia pain due to these diseases ultimately changing the shape of your foot, and therefore the biomechanics of your feet changing as well to compensate for this change.
11
Certain medical problems
Pronation refers to the inward rolling motion of the ankle during gait. Because of this, the foot responds by moving outwards. Pronation during walking or running is normal at certain points during this cycle. But, excessive pronation, especially excessive pronation while standing can put a strain on the plantar fascia. Excessive pronation while standing is also seen in people with a flat foot, which also can be a plantar fascia pain.
12
Trauma or injury
Direct injuries to the foot, such as from a fall or accident, can damage the plantar fascia and lead to inflammation and plantar fascia pain. Also, for those people with a significant history of trauma including fractures in foot bones, or crush injuries to bones in the feet (in particular the heel bone or ankle), these types of injuries can be life-changing, and also change the shape that your foot has permanently. Because the shape of your foot is now different, the biomechanics of your foot post-injury have to change to compensate, which can definitely be plantar fasciitis down the road.
