If you are suffering foot pain, we recommend you see a doctor for a proper diagnosis to be sure you can treat the condition correctly. The doctor will normally take your medical history to find out about your current condition, your symptoms, and any past injuries that could relate to your foot pain. It is important to provide him/her with as much information as possible.
He/she will give you a physical examination andcheck your foot and toe for any tenderness, inflammation, discoloration or unusual sensations. He/she will test your foot and lower leg muscles and nerves for reflexes, strength and flexibility. Normally with plantar fasciitis you will have pain when standing on your toes, a thick plantar fascia and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (ability to point your toes and foot upward) as a result of a tight achilles tendon.
Your gait (the way you walk) will also be evaluatedto determine your bone alignment when you walk. Your doctor may check the soles of your shoes to see if you have excessive wear on one side. If the inside edge of your sole is more worn, you overpronate. If the outside edge of your sole is more worn, you underpronate. If there is no wearing on your sole, you have a balanced stride.
Occasionally x-rays, an MRI or blood tests might be requested to rule out other conditions or diseases (bone spurs, stress fractures, nerve compression, collagen disorders, tumors, rheumatoid arthritis). If unsure of the root cause of your plantar pain, blood tests might be requested to rule out diseases or infections.
Plantar fasciitis accounts for 11 – 15% of all foot symptoms requiring professional care.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatments
Conservative treatments tend to be the best way to treat plantar fasciitis. However, it can take months to years to heal depending on your situation and commitment to treatment (6 weeks to 6 months or longer). To improve healing time and treat your pain naturally, cold compression thera