Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the ligament at the heel thickens and becomes inflamed as a result of aging or excessive use of the foot. It causes pain mainly in the heel and a limp, and characteristically the pain is worst on taking the first steps in the morning, because the muscle contracts overnight and is then stretched. The plantar fascia is the ligament inside the arched part of the sole; it maintains the arch of the foot, gives the foot elasticity and is an important structure for keeping the body balanced when walking.
Treatment
Treatment has been attempted in many ways, but the long treatment period and frequent recurrence have made it difficult. Recently extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been introduced for plantar fasciitis, allowing treatment without surgery. ESWT applies shockwaves to the inflamed plantar fascia, stimulating the free nerve endings that sense pain so that the nerve becomes less sensitive and the pain eases, and it also promotes the formation of new blood vessels, helping the damaged plantar fascia to heal. If symptoms do not improve even with such non-surgical treatment, or if a bone spur has already grown on the calcaneal tuberosity and inflammation and swelling are restricting daily life, surgery is performed to remove the spur or to lengthen the damaged plantar fascia. Pain in the sole of the foot can arise not only from plantar fasciitis but also from back conditions such as spinal stenosis, so no hasty judgment should be made from the symptoms alone. If symptoms appear, it is important to see a specialist for a precise diagnosis.
