Plantar Fasciitis

(www.nlm.nih.gov)

Ugh, plantar fasciitis, that horrible pain in your feet that never seems to go away. Plantar Fasciitis a rupture of the ligament in your foot caused by excessive jumping. Many volleyball players have to deal with this all the time. Here is some of the basic know-how that will help you alleviate that pain... :)


Symptoms: A sharp pain inside the bottom of your heel, heel pain that worsens in the morning, while walking stairs, and while standing on tiptoe, heel pain after standing for awhile or after suddenly standing, heel pain after exercise, and mild swelling in your heel

Anatomy: Plantar Fascia - the ligament from the heel to the front of the foot

Treatment: Rest, a proper tape job really helps lessen the pressure
~ A Sports Injury Specialist can prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, prescribe orthotics, tape the foot (best way to allow rest), X-ray, and/or operate if there is calcification


Prevention: Wear supportive shoes (wow seems to prevent a lot!), stretch, alternate your routine exercises, avoid being overweight


Surgery:
~ The surgeon cuts certain sections of the plantar fascia to release tension and relieve chronic pain
~ success rate is 70-80%
~ Your surgeon should only release 30-50% of the fascia because if more is released, the arch of your foot could collapse
Risks:
~ A tiny percent of patients suffer from pain or numbness in the foot after surgery because the surgeon accidentally cut a nerve...
~ Pain in the heel might not always be due to Plantar Fasciitis and some patients don't find relief from surgery because they don't even have plantar fasciitis
~ Patients should experience symptoms for at least 9 months while participating in daily exercises and stretches before they consult a surgeon.