What should i do if i have plantar fasciitis?

Stretching...: Surgery for planter fasciitis should only be used if all conservative methods have failed. Things that should be tried first include physical therapy/stretching protocol, medication, radial shockwave therapy, and in some cases injections of anti-inflammatories. I would seek the attention of an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. One in your area can be found at www.Orthodoc.Aaos.Org/footankle.

RICE: Rest, ice, compression, elevation. May also want to try aleve (naproxen) for pain, orthotics for support.

Plantar fasciitis : You first must get an accurate diagnosis because it could be another pathology for example nerve entrapment or heel fracture. So seeing a podiatrist can help you make a correct diagnosis. If its simple plantar fasciitis then stretching, ice, nsaids and orthotics can help. If its still hasn't improved then an injection might be warranted and surgery is def. Last resort.

Sole of the foot: Plantar meaning " pertaining to sole of the foot". Fascia meaning "band of connective tissue". "itis" meaning "inflammation of".

Heel pain: It is possible to get an itis (inflammation) of any fascia and have fasciitis. When it affects the fascia along the bottom of you foot, it is called plantar fasciitis, as dr. Laha said. Plantar fasciitis typically causes pain on the bottom of your heel.

Inflammation. : Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the thick, fibrous band of tissue that helps support the arch of your foot. This can occur because of poor shoegear (unsupportive flats, heels, flips flops, old canvas shoes), an increase in activity (training for an athletic event), or an increase in weight or other stress to your feet. See your podiatrist for treatment options.

Plantar is location: Plantar is a direction. It means the bottom of the foot. The opposite is dorsal which refers to the top of the foot. Plantar fasciitis just means inflammation of the fascia on the bottom of the foot. Similarily a plantar wart is simply a wart on the bottom of the foot.

Arch supports ,shoes: Most people with common heel pain get relief of their symptoms with stretching of the calf muscles and better support of the arches. This can be with better shoes, or arch supports. Functional orthosis are the best but are expensive. I recommend trying over the counter firm supports first and if your symptoms are not better seek a podiatrist consult.

NEED FOR SUPPORT!: Most shoes aren't that bad, usually it's the crummy insoles they come with! there are many possibe reasons (plantar fascitis leaps to mind) that you may have pain in the heels, but try arch supports like spenco polysorb (http://www.Spenco.Com/products/footcare/poly-sorb) and otc anti-inflammatories (like aleve). If these don't help, see a podiatrist.

A few things: Make sure your shoes have good cushion and support and are not excessively worn. If so, replace them. You might want to try over-the-counter arch supports. Doing runners stretches consistently can be a big help. You can also try over-the-counter antiinflammatories. If not improved, see a podiatrist who can offer prescribed medicine, physical therapy, injections, foot orthoses. Surgery is rare.

Combo treatment. : The more you can do together, the better: #1: supportive shoes. #2: firm inserts or orthotics. #3: oral antiinflammatories (check with your doctor). #4: stretching your foot and calf. #5: icing (10 min at a time). You may also need physical therapy or cortisone injections, or eswt if available in your area.

Combo treatment. : If you have plantar fasciitis, and hurt most with the first few steps in the morning, the more you can do together, the better: #1: supportive shoes. #2: firm inserts or orthotics. #3: oral antiinflammatories (check with your doctor). #4: stretching your foot and calf. #5: icing (10 min at a time). You may also need physical therapy or cortisone injections, or eswt if available in your area.

See below: Initially try ice for 20 min twice daily, stretch, consider an orthotic and try an otc anti-inflammatory such as aleve (naproxen).

RICE: Rest, ice, compression and elevation. May need mild steroid injection and stretching the correct way. Nsaid will help and consider custom orthotics. Last resort is surgery.