Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue begins to be affected. As a rule, the focus of inflammation is near the heel and closer to the phalanges of the fingers. When the sole is regularly and severely injured, an ascetic type of inflammation appears. The described form of fasciitis begins to develop. The article will describe the causes in more detail, as well as symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures.
Causes
The reasons for plantar fasciitis should include a high load on the foot. As a rule, the highest pressure indicator is fixed near the heel. Symptoms are manifested in an older generation of people. By the age of forty, a large number of chronic diseases associated with the spine and joints arise. 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. Flatfoot also affects, prolonged load on the feet (for example, if the patient is constantly standing throughout the day), and even a high arch.
To provocative factors, close and uncomfortable shoes should be noted. Especially if it is stuck on one edge. This indicates possible problems with the sole. If a person constantly receives microtrauma of the feet, 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 is painful for the patient to step on the heel after he has been sitting for a long time. In the evening, the unpleasant effect will only intensify. Then the pain appears in the morning. With constant walking on the stairs, as well as being in a standing position, severe discomfort occurs.
If there is no treatment or it is incorrect, then 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 is swollen and formations may appear.
It should be noted that in the presence of fasciitis osteophytes occur. These are solid formations that bring excruciating pain. The protrusion from 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 to constantly use crutches.
Therapy
The question of how to treat plantar fasciitis is quite relevant. It should be noted immediately that you need to see a doctor immediately. The diagnosis can be made depending on the initial examination, as well as with an x-ray. This will clarify all the complications.
If the patient postpones going to the doctor, then he will have degenerative and destructive processes that can lead to fatal consequences.
To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you need to use complex therapy. Be sure to use tablets, ointments, as well as limit the loads that are on the affected 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 can get worse.
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 are able to appear. Accordingly, the patient will have excruciating pains. If the heel spur is broken (one of the complications), then the likelihood that a person will remain disabled is quite high.
Gymnastics
Thanks to the implementation of special exercises, elasticity of the aponeurosis can be achieved. Gymnastics, which the patient does regularly, can lengthen the fascia and reduce the risk of injuries. Thanks to it, you can strengthen the connective tissue. Also, many doctors recommend gymnastics as a preventive measure, as it helps to protect against the development of plantar fasciitis. Exercise should be done every morning. First you need to knead the joints, and then perform the exercises that are prescribed by a specialist.
All regulations must be strictly observed. Do not try to choose a set of activities for yourself. Otherwise, you can make a mistake and achieve opposite results. During the exercise should not be severe pain. If the discomfort becomes unbearable, you need 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 tightened well.
Use of orthopedic appliances
In order to fix the foot at an angle of 90 degrees, you can use orthoses or braces. They are advised to wear at night. In the daytime it is better to use orthopedic shoes or special insoles. Orthoses are an effective remedy. They help maintain elasticity and prevent aponeurosis from shortening. This technique makes it possible to conduct the most successful treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Treatment methods
In addition to the above means, the patient should be prescribed other types of effects on the problem. How the pathology should be treated depends on the diagnostic results. The orthopedic doctor must choose the necessary methods of therapy.
If a person has problems with weight, then connect a nutritionist. He will create a menu in which there will be a large number of vitamins and minerals. Of course, the diet should be within the optimal amount of calories consumed. The patient needs to consume more of those products that will be useful for tissues, cartilage, ligaments, and so on.
To achieve an effective cure, you must use an integrated approach. Massage is performed, mud applications are made. Well help baths of chamomile, pine needles, as well as sea salt. Good application of cold. Ointments and gels should be applied to the sore spot, which have a warming and anti-inflammatory effect. It is necessary 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 the patient has an advanced case of plantar fasciitis, then the doctor may prescribe additional treatment measures. It can be laser, shock wave and ultrasound therapy. Injections of analgesics and glucocorticosteroids are sometimes prescribed.
Illiterate therapy can provoke the development of osteophytes and increased pain. The described disease also reduces human mobility. He will have to use crutches. If the case is too long and difficult, an operation may be performed. It is necessary to remove bone growths and other affected areas of the foot.
Description of used medical devices
Ointments should be applied only to places where pain is felt. So you can reduce it. Only those drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect are used. The most effective remedy many doctors call Voltaren.
Patches that are saturated with flurbiprofen are also used to prevent pain. They help with severe or chronic discomfort.
Oral agents act systemically and are able to anesthetize. Ibuprofen is recommended. It is often combined with the above ointments and plasters. So you can enhance the effect and get rid of pain faster.
Intramuscular medications are injected through a syringe. As such, drugs that relieve inflammation are used. Similar can be “Cortisone” and so on. Often used hyaluronic acid. It allows you to restore tissue and rid the patient of inflammation.
Alternative treatment
Treatment of plantar fasciitis at home requires discussion with your doctor. Be sure to consult a specialist so as not to harm yourself.
Night compresses are recommended. The root of the saberfish should be used . It should be poured into a thermos, and then - pour boiling water. For a couple of hours, the broth should be removed to any warm place. Next, the root should be rubbed to the consistency of the slurry and applied to the affected area. The compress should be held all night, after bandaging the leg with a napkin and cellophane.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis with folk remedies brings its results. Patients are advised to use serum. It is necessary to apply about 700 ml. The liquid must be boiled, and then pour into a basin. After the serum has cooled, steams should be steamed.
Ointments
Alternative treatment of plantar fasciitis is also carried out with the help of home-made ointments. One of the most effective is one that is made from horseradish. It is necessary to take its rhizome, and then grind it with a grater. An additional 20 grams of soap should be used. Such ointment is applied at night. It is necessary to bandage the leg with cellophane.
Preventative 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 right shoe, and also be made of quality material. If you have any problems with the foot, you should wear special orthopedic models and do not refuse from insoles. It is necessary to control the load that is carried out on the aponeurosis. If a person has sedentary work, then he should do exercises from time to time. Activity is an important condition for the proper functioning of the body. Weight should be normal, you also need to monitor the diet as much as possible. It should be understood that extra pounds are one of the most common factors provoking pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. If a constant load is placed on the arch of the foot, 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 must immediately consult a doctor and start therapy.
When to contact a specialist?
An orthopedic traumatologist should be consulted 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 the operation will help.