Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fasciitis is the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when this tissue becomes inflamed and irritated, either at the insertion into the heel bone causing heel pain, or along the sole of the foot causing pain between the heel and the toes.
It is often sorer first thing in the morning, initially when getting out of bed, after sitting for long periods of time or on standing after periods of inactivity – called post static dyskinesia. Pain is also exacerbated if walking barefoot for any length of time.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The most important thing to identify is the cause of the pain. In most cases the cause is mechanical – i.e. it is because of the way the foot is functioning. This is normally the case when the pain has not had a sudden onset rather become worse over a long period of time. The most common cause of Plantar Fasciitis is excessive pronation of the foot where the long arch of the foot rolls over too much during walking and running. With pronation the foot flattens and becomes unstable, which stretches the plantar fascia putting huge stress at the area where the tissues inserts into the heel bone causing pain.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Other causes include wearing non-supportive footwear on hard, flat surfaces or being overweight which both put excess strain on the plantar fascia causing inflammation and pain in the heel and arch. There are a number of occupational links to Plantar Fasciitis – anyone using ladders a lot or on their hunkers a lot put the area under a lot of tension.
Taping and strapping to reduce strain and give support to the plantar fascia tissue may be used in very acute conditions, however orthotics and footwear advice are the two main treatment modalities – accompanied by ice therapy, NSAIDS for a few days, and rest were possible.
This problem is easiest to treat when it is seen in its initial stages – before it becomes chronic. The longer the condition has been present the longer it generally takes to reduce the pain – however we aim to get you significantly better within a 3 month period.
Our Expertise
The most important thing for our Podiatrist to identify is whether or not the pain is coming from the plantar fascia or from one of the other muscles, ligaments and tendon junctions that are present in the sole of the foot. When this has been identified then treatment for plantar fasciitis is outlined and a plan put in place.
Our Podiatrists have extensive experience in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and other heel pain conditions. We will provide a tailored plan for your specific condition, offer advice on management of the condition until it is resolved and advice to prevent reoccurrence.
|
|
|
|