Untreated plantar fasciitis is not uncommon. This kind of foot pain is usually caused by an injury such as a car accident or a fall. Symptoms of an untended plantar fasciitis tear include pain in the bottom of the heel, swelling around the heel and a noticeable redness in the heel area. However, treatment for this can vary from time to time.
ACUTE FASTENED PLATE TRUST: It is more common than acute. An untended or chronic plantar fascia tear can develop due to a single event or over time. When a person has an abrupt change in activity or in the way that they walk repeatedly, it can lead to repeated strain on the plantar fascia ligament. The symptoms of a severe or chronic case of fascitofasciitis include pain in the heel, swelling around the heel, a dull or burning pain in the foot while walking and an abnormally fastening of the toe with loss of motion.
Recovery time depends on a number of factors. If a person has sudden or rapid changes in their exercise routines, or if they are over exerting themselves, it can lengthen the recovery time from a plantar plate surgery or a surgical repair of the tendon. An injury to the foot such as a fracture, broken bones, or other trauma can also slow down the healing process.
Treatment for an untreated plantar plate tear includes physical therapy, night splints and cortisone injections. There are times when these are all not enough to provide the healing ails the foot. In cases such as an acute injury where the condition has become chronic, surgery may be required. Plantar fasciitis surgery involves breaking down the fascia ligament and inserting screws into it to allow it to be further treated. The surgery is designed to correct any tears in the ligament and prevent more from occurring.
There are three basic plantar plate tear grades, or stages. A first stage, or heel spur, lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two at the most. This is the time period during which the heel pain will be the most intense and recovery time will be the most difficult. A second stage, or tibial plateau, lasts from approximately six weeks to six months. During this time the healing progress will have progressed significantly and the patient will begin to experience the benefits of wearing the best plantar plates for foot support.
The third and final stage, or tibial plateau deformity, is the final and greatest degree of deformity. This tear occurs when the tissue on the outside of the foot returns faster than it is deformed. While the process may seem frightening, it is actually a normal part of growth and the process can be slowed considerably by wearing plantar fasciitis shoes. If this does not prevent the tear, the only option is to have the tendon surgically removed to allow it to stretch back to its proper place. With this process, patients can get back to using their feet the same as they did before the injury, with pain and swelling still being at a minimum.
The x-ray will play a large part in diagnosing and properly treating plantar plates tear. During an x-ray of the foot, any changes in the bone structure around the injury site will show up on the x-ray. Any deformity in the tissue that is visible on the x-ray is likely caused by the toe deformity. When a person has a severe enough case of toe deformity, the bones may even break through the skin and create a “shin.” Patients should receive scheduled x-rays at least two times a year to make sure that no new damage has occurred.
A small percentage of people suffering from a severe case of toe deformation may have a chance of having a stress fracture of the plantar fascia ligament. Stress fractures happen when there is an abnormal rapid increase in the bone growth rate and the bone pushes through the fascia instead of breaking through it. This can be treated with physical therapy or by surgery. If the damage to the fascia ligament is due to increased pressure in the joint, then surgery may be necessary to repair the damage and heal the tendon.