Plantar Fasciitis Treatment San Francisco

By Serena Price


Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of and pain of thick bands of tissue that are referred to as plantar fascia. The tissues run across the bottom of feet, connecting the heel bones to toes. It is this condition that is mostly attributed to heel pain. People suffering from the condition will experience sharp pangs of pain when they make the first steps in the morning. When going for plantar fasciitis treatment San Francisco residents should know all that is involved.

Roughly 90 percent or more of people with the condition can have it cured after several months of undergoing conservative treatment. One of the most common forms of conservative treatment is the use of medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen are known to reduce inflammation and ease pain but never really treat causes of the condition. There also are corticosteroids which are delivered to the body through iontophoresis. This is whereby the solution is applied to the skin over the painful area. The medication is absorbed through non-painful electric current.

Another method of delivery of the solution is injection. Using multiple injections is never recommended since it could weaken the plantar fascia, causing it to rupture. In addition, this could lead to shrinking of the fat pad that covers the heel bone. For more accurate placement of the injection, there is sometimes the use of ultrasound guidance.

Another option of treatment is the use of stretching and strengthening exercises. These may be used in combination with specialized devices. With physical therapy for instance, therapists instruct their patients on various exercises that will help to stretch and strengthen the Achilles tendon and lower leg muscles. The ankles and knees are stabilized in the process. For support of the bottom of the foot, patients are taught ways to apply athletic taping.

Also effective in curing the condition is use of night splints. Physical therapists or doctors will at certain times recommend wearing of splints which are designed to stretch the calf and arch of feet when one is seeping. Plantar fascia and Achilles tendons are held in lengthened position throughout the night such that stretching is facilitated. Doctors can also prescribe off the shelf supports called orthotics. These assist in distributing pressure to feet.

In case the conservative methods fail to work, there are two main procedures that can be used. The first is extracorporeal shock wave therapy. It involves the direction of sound waves at the area where there is pain for stimulation of healing. It is used in the case of more chronic conditions. The procedure is known to cause swelling, bruises, numbness, pain or tingling. There is no surety whether it is consistently effective.

There is surgery which is also considered but as a last resort. It is used when all else has failed to work. The surgery is used to detach plantar fascia from heel bones. The surgical procedure is used when pain experienced is very severe. It may make the arch in the feet weak.

When considering plantar fasciitis treatment San Francisco residents ought to know complications involved when one decides to ignore the condition. The chronic pain that results will hinder their daily activities. They may also develop foot, knee, hip or back problems since the condition changes the way one walks.




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