How Long Does Plantar Fasciitis Last?

Lacey

August 25, 2022 0 Comment

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition whose effect causes an annoying and unpleasant pain on your heels. Most people do not know how to tell whether their heel pain is due to plantar fasciitis or is just a normal injury. Knowing the various symptoms and causes of the condition can help you determine whether you have the condition early enough and seek help from a specialist. The condition causes swelling on the plantar fascia ligament that connects your heels and toes. This ligament is also responsible for the easy movement at the arch of your foot. People with this condition take approximately 3-12 months to completely get healed depending on how active you are and how consistent you are with the various plantar fasciitis treatment remedies. 

How do You Get Plantar Fasciitis?

The main cause of plantar fasciitis is constantly and repetitively exerting muscle strain to a ligament injury at the bottom of your foot. Muscle strains at the sole of your foot can be caused by walking or running too much, jumping to your feet to land, and wearing inadequate footgear. The condition can result from various causes as listed below.

• Being overweight
• Pregnancy
• Aging especially those between 40 and 60 years old
• Walking using the inner sole of your foot
• Wearing footwear that does not perfectly fit
• Running
• Having a high arch, flat feet, or tight tendons

What Can you Physically Do and Not Do with Plantar Fasciitis

Other than listening and following your doctor’s advice, here are a few do’s and don’t’s when you have plantar fasciitis:

Don’ts

• Avoid activities such as running and jumping that will increase impact at the bottom of your feet.
• Do not wear flat shoes or walk bare feet since the arch support from your shoe can make the symptoms worsen.
• Do not try to ignore the pain or push through it.
• Do not stand for long periods 
• Stay motivated and hopeful by continuing with helpful exercises.

Do’s

• Ensure you get enough rest for your body to get restored
• Try using the RICE method that involves rest, ice, compressing, and elevating your feet to help reduce the inflammation.
• Add more gel pads and insoles to your shoes to make them more comfortable.
• Once the pain subsides, start doing some stretches that are not irritating using aids such as splints.
• Since the injury takes a long to heal completely, be patient with the process. 

What Types of Treatments are Available for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis treatment depends on the severity of the foot pain and the symptoms observed by your doctor or specialist. An athlete and runner are likely to take longer to heal. Some of the treatments for foot pain available include:

1. Doing physical therapy and stretching with the guidance of a specialist
2. Icing the sore spot and using prescribed pain and anti-inflammatory medication
3. Resting, modifying your activities and orthotics
4. Low energy and high energy shock wave therapy on the affected area
5. Steroid injections for prolonged conditions to reduce inflammation
6. Gastronomic recession surgery is meant to increase the length of the Achilles tendon in severe cases.

Note we will always recommend comprehensive treatment before resorting to the suggestion of surgery or injections. Schedule an appointment to get our treatment plan.

Both tension and stress are accelerators of plantar fascia pain. Most athletes especially runners are affected by plantar fasciitis. This condition is usually treatable but will depend on the intensity of your pain or the extent of the injury. By following a few tips and remedies, you can successfully reduce this pain and completely treat this condition.