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3 of the Most Common Risk Factors of Plantar Fasciitis
The feet are complex structures that bear the weight of your body day in and day out — making them highly susceptible to injury. Plantar fasciitis is one of the conditions that cause pain in your feet and heels.
Many people are at risk for plantar fasciitis, including those who have structural foot problems or who stand on a hard surface for long periods. If you're at risk for plantar fasciitis, it's essential to know how to prevent the condition from happening or worsening.
At Manhattan Podiatry Group, Dr. Mark Sharobeem is our expert podiatrist who offers treatment for various foot and ankle problems, including plantar fasciitis.
Dr. Sharobeem helps you understand and overcome what’s causing the pain in your feet so you can get back to normal activities as soon as possible.
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis develops when the strong, fibrous fascia becomes inflamed from injury or overuse. Located under the foot, the plantar fascia is very strong because it connects the heel bone to the front of the foot.
There are various reasons for plantar fasciitis, including injury to the foot or overuse and excess pressure on the fascia. Sports and vigorous exercise without stretching can certainly cause plantar fasciitis.
Inflammation of the plantar fascia is the main issue with plantar fasciitis. The swelling of the overstretched tissues leads to various symptoms, including:
- Achilles tendon tightness
- Stiffness
- Heel pain
- Arch pain
- Heel swelling
The pain of plantar fasciitis is typically worse after sitting for long periods. Still, it may subside as you get up and move around. It could manifest as a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain in your heel while walking.
Understanding the risk factors
Plantar fasciitis strikes a range of the population of the United States, up to 2 million people annually. However, various factors put people at a significantly higher risk for this condition.
Three of the most common issues attributed to plantar fasciitis include:
1. Obesity
Although the plantar fascia is tough, excess weight puts more strain on it than expected. Obesity stresses the tissue over time, causing chronic inflammation, pain, and sometimes irreversible damage to the feet.
2. Foot anatomy
People with high arches or flat feet are more prone to issues with the plantar fascia. These are often structural abnormalities that may or may not be present when you're born, leading to stress on the plantar fascia over time.
3. High-impact activities
The plantar fascia takes the brunt of your physical activities, leading to injury and stress on the tissues. Running is tough on the feet, sometimes causing plantar fasciitis when you don't stretch properly or you increase your intensity too quickly.
Dancing, basketball, and other sports can also lead to plantar fasciitis, especially when you're on your feet and jumping. It's especially detrimental when you don't give your feet a rest after a challenging workout.
How to prevent plantar fasciitis
Although not every risk factor is preventable, you can take steps to keep your feet healthy and the plantar fascia in good shape. A few of the tips we offer to keep plantar fasciitis from sneaking up include:
- Avoid walking barefoot
- Manage your weight
- Change shoes often
- Stretch
- Rest after intense activities
You may not always be able to control the risk factors associated with plantar fasciitis, but Dr. Sharobeem can help.
If you're already dealing with plantar fasciitis, Dr. Sharobeem evaluates your feet and develops a personalized treatment plan that may entail anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics and stretches to ease your discomfort.
Don't continue to suffer from plantar fasciitis pain; call Manhattan Podiatry Group today at one of our four locations: Downtown Manhattan, Gramercy Park, and Staten Island in New York City, and Manalapan, New Jersey. You can also book a consultation with Dr. Sharobeem on the website.