Thursday, February 18, 2010

Plantar Fasciitis & Ankle Pain

Plantar fasciitis and ankle pain are injuries that can be very painful. Both are caused by many factors, such as muscle fatigue, foot structural imbalance and wearing improper footwear.


Plantar Fasciitis


According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain that involves pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia. Plantar fascia is the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes.


Ankle Pain


Ankle pain is usually from a sprain, which is an injury to the ligaments of your ankle. Injuries can cause the ankle ligaments to tear as a result of sudden stress or stretching.


Treatment


Conservative treatments for plantar fasciitis and ankle pain include resting and elevating the affected area to reduce the pain. Applying ice and refraining from physical activity are also effective in preventing more stress to your plantar fascia and ankle. Another type of treatment is to strap or tape the foot to help the injury heal faster.


Footwear


Wearing improper or ill-fitting shoes may cause you to suffer both ankle pain and plantar fasciitis. Replace shoes that are old and worn out, since they no longer provide support and cushioning from high-impact activities like running. Excessive strain on your foot and ankle can lead to both injuries.


Warning


If symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments, consult a physician immediately to avoid worsening the injury.







Tags: ankle pain, fasciitis ankle, plantar fascia, plantar fasciitis