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Plantar Fasciitis Cures

by Brad McHargue

Overview

Plantar fasciitis is a condition of the foot wherein the fascia, the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting your toes to your heel bone, becomes inflamed. Common in runners, the obese and pregnant women, plantar fasciitis is caused by excess pressure on the fascia, resulting in tearing and inflammation. It is easily treated, and can involve a combination of medication, therapy and surgery.
Medication

Medications for treating plantar fasciitis are broken into two categories: pain relievers and corticosteroids. Over-the-counter pain relievers, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, are recommended as a means to treat the pain and inflammation of plantar fasciitis. These remedies, however, are short-term, and serve to treat only the immediate pain and not the underlying problem. Corticosteroids are a possible, albeit controversial, method of treating plantar fasciitis. Corticosteroids work by reducing the inflammation of the fascia, which can lessen pain and expedite healing. Examples of corticosteroids include betamethasone, methylprednisolone acetate and triamcinolone acetonide. They can be administered through one of two methods: iontophoresis or injections. Iontophoresis involves the application of a corticosteroid solution to the bottom of the foot, whereupon a small electric current is used to help draw the medication through the skin and to the fascia. This method is less dangerous than injections, as just one can result in a torn or ruptured fascia. A study, however, published in a 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, concluded that corticosteroid injections combined with a peppering technique was an effective method of treating plantar fasciitis. The peppering technique is similar to a normal injection, but instead of removing the needle entirely after the injection is given, it is withdrawn without removing it from the skin, redirected and the injection is given again. This process may be repeated numerous times. The safety of this method, however, is still up for debate and as such all other methods should be attempted first.

Therapy

Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles in the lower leg, as well as stretch and loosen up the fascia. One example of an effective stretching exercise is placing both arms on the wall with the palms flat, keeping one leg straight back with the heel touching the ground and the other knee bent. As you lean, the fascia and cord of the heel stretch. A physical therapist should be consulted before beginning any exercise regimen. This is often used in conjunction with home therapies such as splints, which keep the fascia stretched out while you sleep, and orthotics, which are used to alleviate pressure on the foot by distributing it evenly. A less effective form of treatment is extracorporeal shock wave therapy, which conceivably works by inducing healing through the use of sound waves aimed at the foot. A study, however, published in the September 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that extracorporeal shock wave therapy was an ineffective method of treatment for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.
Surgery

Surgery is a last resort option, reserved for those with severe plantar fasciitis that is unable to be treated through less invasive measures. It involves the complete detachment of the fascia from the heel bone. The most common side effect is a weakening of the arch of the foot.