What Happens If You Live With an Untreated Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common health condition that everyone experience in some part of their life. It’s common in people over the age of 40 and if you are younger than 20 there are so fewer risks of developing a condition like this.
In most cases, it goes away by itself after a few days or weeks. However, if you are experiencing pain in your heel for more than a month, this might mean your plantar fasciitis has turned into a serious condition.
So, are going to treat it right away or going to wait for more until it goes away by itself?
If it doesn’t heal by itself then seek medical treatment immediately, but if you don’t then there can be some painful situation you will need to experience.
That’s why in this article, we are going to explain what can happen if you live with untreated plantar fasciitis so that you can get your treatment done right before your pain gets worse.
Consequences of Untreated Plantar Fasciitis
After developing plantar fasciitis you will feel discomfort in your feel for the starting days. As it grows older, it will start showing more symptoms like inflammation, burning pain, swelling, and redness. You may feel these symptoms in the first week, but if it’s left untreated for a longer duration, the following complications may arise:
Tear and Wear in Plantar Fascia
The most common complication to arise during plantar fasciitis is wear and tear in the plantar fascia. It’s a thick ligament inside your heel that connects your heel to your bone. It’s the only cause of this condition and it usually occurs if you apply too much pressure on your foot or stretch it suddenly.
Sometimes the tears are so small that you may not feel pain but they keep appearing which makes the condition worse. If not treated on time, their number and size increase over time. After some time they may start causing inflammation.
Plantar Rupture
After the tearing of the plantar fascia, the worst thing that could happen is the rupture which is also known as plantar fibromatosis. After the scars develop, if the person continues to perform high-pressure activities such as jogging and standing for a long duration, then it can make their fascia rupture.
The rupture of the fascia is painful. If you have one you will hear a loud popping sound at the moment it bursts. It will cause you bruising, intense pain, and swelling in, the foot but your heel is going to cause pain more. Your heel may turn purple after fascia breaks.
Normal activities like walking will become so hard for you due to intense pain and if you put too much weight on the affected foot, you will feel unbearable pain.
In such kind of condition, make sure you visit your doctor as soon as possible since the more time you take, the more the pain you will feel.
People usually take steroid injections to relieve the pain. Your doctor will recommend you wear crutches until your fascia is fully recovered.
It may take anywhere from 9 to 12 weeks for a full recovery.
Sometimes it may happen due to genetics or aging as well, but the most common reason is an injury in the foot or untreated plantar fasciitis.
Heel Spurs
A long time ago, many researchers used to think that plantar fasciitis is caused by heel spurs but later, it was found that it’s the opposite.
It’s a common result of neglected plantar fasciitis, it’s an alternative to plantar rupture which means you may either have a fascia rupture or a heel spurs.
Your body sends an army of cells to the site of the problem in an attempt to defend the arch of your foot and limit damage, and they begin depositing calcium. These deposits can harden into a sharp bony structure that pierces the fatty pad of the heel, causing excruciating discomfort with every stride.
One thing to keep in mind, heel spurs take time to build up, it takes months and when it’s finally built it starts causing pain. That’s why if you want to avoid it don’t take time to treat your plantar facilities.
Medical Treatments For Plantar Fasciitis
Home remedies are really effective, but they aren’t for everyone!
If your plantar fasciitis is new then there are more chances that the natural treatments may work for you but if it’s serious, or a month older then they may not work. They may also not work if you are older, have a weak immune system, or have poor blood circulation.
Suffering from these problems means home remedies are useless, so you must use some not her type of treatment!
And for such situations. Medical treatment is the best treatment available for you and when you visit your doctor, they will Rex and these treatments!
1. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an important component of plantar fasciitis treatment.
Your plantar fascia and Achilles tendons will benefit from stretching.
A physical therapist can offer you exercises to strengthen your lower leg muscles, which can help you walk more steadily and reduce the strain on your plantar fascia.
2. Anti-inflammatory Medicines
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can relieve your pain and minimize plantar fascia inflammation. For several weeks, your doctor may prescribe multiple dosages every day.
3. Steroid Injections
If your pain is severe or not responding to NSAIDs, you may want to consider getting a steroid injection.
The steroid is injected into the area of your plantar fascia that is the most uncomfortable. It may relieve your discomfort for a month or so, but it will keep the inflammation at bay for much longer.
4. Shock Therapy
If pain persists despite various treatments, your doctor may suggest extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
Sound waves are used to assault your heel in order to stimulate ligament mending. The following are some of the possible side effects of this treatment: • Pain • Swelling • Bruising
5. Surgery
The plantar fascia is removed from the heel bone during this procedure.
If you have significant pain or a stubborn ailment that hasn’t responded to prior therapies, surgery is usually the last option. You’ll most likely return home the same day.
How does untreated plantar fasciitis impact athletic performance and exercise routines?
Untreated plantar fasciitis can significantly impact athletic performance and exercise routines. The condition often causes persistent heel pain, especially during weight-bearing activities like running or jumping. This pain can limit the intensity, duration, and variety of exercises an individual can perform. Athletes may find it difficult to push themselves, leading to decreased endurance and performance levels. Additionally, the discomfort might force them to avoid certain exercises altogether, hindering their training progress and overall athletic achievements.
Can untreated plantar fasciitis cause stiffness and limited movement in the affected foot?
Yes, untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to stiffness and limited movement in the affected foot. The persistent pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis can cause the muscles and tendons in the foot to tighten, leading to decreased flexibility and restricted movement. Over time, this stiffness can worsen, affecting the overall range of motion in the foot and making it challenging to perform activities that require bending or stretching of the foot, such as walking, running, or even simple tasks like climbing stairs.
Does untreated plantar fasciitis lead to chronic foot inflammation?
Yes, untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to chronic foot inflammation. The plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, becomes inflamed and irritated in plantar fasciitis. Without proper treatment, this inflammation can persist, causing ongoing discomfort and pain. Chronic inflammation not only worsens the symptoms but can also lead to other complications, making it crucial to address plantar fasciitis promptly to prevent long-term issues.
Can untreated plantar fasciitis lead to permanent damage or irreversible changes in the foot’s structure?
Yes, untreated plantar fasciitis can potentially lead to permanent damage or irreversible changes in the foot’s structure. Chronic inflammation and strain on the plantar fascia can cause microtears and degeneration of the tissue.
How does weight management impact the progression of untreated plantar fasciitis?
Weight management can play a significant role in the progression of untreated plantar fasciitis. Excess body weight can contribute to increased strain on the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, and exacerbate symptoms. Here’s how weight management can impact the progression of untreated plantar fasciitis:
- Increased Strain: Excess body weight places additional pressure on the feet, especially the heel and arch. This added strain can exacerbate the inflammation of the plantar fascia, leading to increased pain and discomfort.
- Impact on Foot Structure: Carrying excess weight can alter the biomechanics of the foot and affect its natural arch. This alteration in foot structure can contribute to an uneven distribution of weight, placing more stress on the plantar fascia.
Does untreated plantar fasciitis increase the risk of injury in other areas of the body?
Untreated plantar fasciitis can potentially increase the risk of injury in other areas of the body. The condition can alter gait and biomechanics, leading to compensatory movements that may affect joints, muscles, and posture. Here are some ways in which untreated plantar fasciitis could contribute to an increased risk of injury:
- Changes in Gait: Pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis may cause individuals to alter their walking or running patterns to reduce pressure on the affected foot. This change in gait can affect the alignment of the lower limbs and increase stress on other joints, potentially leading to injuries.
- Impact on Knee and Hip Joints: Altered biomechanics due to untreated plantar fasciitis can affect the alignment of the knee and hip joints. This may result in increased stress on these joints, potentially leading to conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome or hip pain.