You were at a friend’s wedding last night. You danced for hours on the dance floor and had yourself a wonderful time. Everything was superb until suddenly you wake up the next morning and your foot is in unbearable pain. At first, you panic. Is it broken? I can’t stand! Don’t worry my friend, it could be Plantar Fasciitis.
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the tough tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue starts at the heel and attaches to the toes. This condition causes pain and can sometimes lead to heel spurs. Due to the fact that the disorder can affect the whole foot, it often times causes large amounts of pain and makes it difficult to stand or walk for any length of time, especially first thing in the morning.
About a third of Americans get Plantar Fasciitis in both feet. This is not always the case. Sometimes Plantar Fasciitis strikes in one foot at a time. It is typically caused due to the overuse of the foot but other studies show that it is also linked to the way a person walks, and obesity.
Typically, the pain from Plantar Fasciitis is at its peak in the morning. This is why many people will go to bed without pain and wake up with it. After walking and stretching it out during the day with basic activity, the amount of pain that you are experiencing is likely to decrease.
Treatment
Mild cases of Plantar Fasciitis can be treated with rest, stretches, and over the counter pain medication. Over time the condition is known to resolve itself if it is a mild case. If the pain persists or is so severe that you have trouble walking you should contact a podiatrist such as Dr. Andrew H. Cohen at Mid-Michigan Foot & Ankle Center in Saginaw, Michigan or Bay City, Michigan. There Dr. Cohen can guide you on the use of orthotics, splinting and other treatments tailored to best suit your needs. You can make an appointment by calling him at 989-790-8009.