Everyone experiences plantar fasciitis a little differently but some may be more prone to developing it depending on the case. As part of the diagnosis, a podiatrist would perform a physical examination of the patient’s foot and ask to stand and walk around. If you are experiencing plantar fasciitis or other foot pain, schedule an appointment with our highly trusted podiatrists Dr. Eric Kuhlman or Dr. Varun Chopra for further assistance. If you want to know “What is plantar fasciitis and how do I know if I have it?” continue reading to learn more.

A dull, annoying heel pain that’s getting worse. A sharp pain in your arch that has you hobbling to keep your stride. Do you have plantar fasciitis?

This is known as one of the most common foot conditions and causes of heel pain in adults. But how do you know if you have it?

Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms and causes, how it’s diagnosed, and when to see a podiatrist.

What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the ligament that connects your heel to your toes and helps support the arch of your foot.

What are symptoms?
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t look like anything on the outside, but it sure can be felt on the inside. Heel pain is the most common symptom. Some people also feel pain in the arch of their foot.

What does plantar fasciitis feel like?
Everyone experiences this pain a little differently. But the pain is often described as:

• Dull to sharp, stabbing pain in your heel
• Aching or burning that extends from your heel through the bottom of your foot
• Pain and stiffness, especially when you take your first steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or if you’ve been sitting or lying down for a while
• Pain that may become more intense as the day goes on, particularly if you’ve been standing or walking a lot
• If you’re feeling a stabbing pain above your heel or back of your ankle, it’s more likely that an injury or Achilles tendonitis is to blame.

What are the causes?
How do you get plantar fasciitis? It often happens when the plantar fascia ligament is strained. This strain causes the ligament to become weak, swollen and inflamed, which leads to heel and arch pain. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament, too.

What causes that ligament strain? Plantar fasciitis is often caused by repetitive motion or anything that puts a lot pressure on the arch of your foot.

So, activities like running, jogging and walking, or consistent long periods of standing or being on your feet, can often lead to this condition.

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Original article published on healthpartners.com