Foot pain can make even simple tasks uncomfortable, lowering your quality of life. Many disorders, including lumbar radiculopathy (Sciatica) and Plantar Fasciitis, can produce discomfort or numbness in your feet.
Sciatica is a disorder caused by nerve compression in the lower back. This compression can cause pain and numbness to radiate from your back and into your lower extremities, including your feet in some cases. Sciatic nerve compression in the buttocks or leg can also cause Sciatica.
Plantar Fasciitis may also be to blame for foot pain. Plantar fasciitis is a type of heel pain caused by inflammation of a band of tissue (fascia) that runs along the bottom of your foot.
If you experience reoccurring numbness, discomfort, or pain in your foot arches, ankles, or heels, you should consult your doctor. A physical exam, symptom history, and other diagnostic methods will be used by your doctor to determine the source of your foot discomfort.
Plantar Fasciitis and lumbar radiculopathy symptoms
To better understand the differences between lumbar radiculopathy and Plantar Fasciitis, let's go over the fundamentals of each.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms aren't restricted to your foot. You may also have stabbing or scorching pain in your lower back.
The pain follows the path of your sciatic nerve, which runs from your buttocks to the back of your thigh and down to your foot.
Sciatica signs and symptoms could be:
- Lower extremity numbness and tingling sharp
- Searing pain in your lower back
- Weakness in your lower back and lower extremities muscular spasms
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is the most prevalent cause of heel pain seen in doctors' offices.
Overuse of the Plantar Fascia, the band of tissue that links your heel bone to your toes, is a common cause of this problem. If you are an athlete or have a job that requires a lot of standing or walking, you may experience overuse.
Symptoms are usually restricted to the foot and can include:
- A knife wound in your heel
- Lengthy periods of standing cause pain
- When you wake up, you have discomfort in your foot
Plantar Fasciitis with lumbar radiculopathy diagnosis
Plantar Fasciitis is often diagnosed by a thorough physical and visual examination by your general practitioner, a podiatrist, or an orthopedist.
Sciatica may necessitate imaging testing in addition to a visual examination. To establish whether your nerves are squeezed, your doctor may do an MRI, X-ray, or CT scan. You may also be requested to perform a straight leg lift test, commonly known as a Lasegue test, at your doctor's office.
Sciatica and Plantar Fasciitis share certain symptoms, but they are distinct illnesses with distinct treatment approaches. Both are feasible to have.
Plantar Fasciitis discomfort is often restricted to the heel and arch of your foot. Sciatica pain typically radiates down from the lower back.
In the event of foot pain, it is critical to visit your doctor. A quick diagnosis allows you to rest and mend, allowing you to get back on your feet as soon as possible.
In order to prevent the occurrence of Lumbar Radiculopathy and Plantar Fasciitis, experts recommend wearing comfortable and high-quality DrLuigi medical shoes every day.