Heel pain
Plantar Fasciitis is a common foot condition that causes heel pain and pain in the sole of the foot. Inflammation usually occurs at the point where it attaches to the heel bone. Plantar Fasciitis is reasonably common in older individuals, where the movement in the joints of the foot has become restricted and strain on the Plantar Fascia is increased. It may also occur in individuals who do a lot of standing, walking or sporting activities, usually as a result of overuse. It tends to be more common in females and in people who are overweight.
Plantar Fasciitis produces foot pain over the inside of the heel and this usually radiates down the inside of the sole of the foot. This foot pain usually occurs with activity and is also typically present in the morning when taking the first steps of the day.
Plantar Fasciitis can be diagnosed by our Physios, if pain is present on touching the affected area, and/or on stretching the Plantar Fascia.
Plantar Fasciitis is inflammatory in nature and the key to successful treatment is to determine what is causing the inflammation and address this problem. In most sporting individuals the cause is overuse and the most important advice is to allow adequate rest, to take the strain off the Plantar Fascia and allow the affected tissues time to heal.
In some cases of Plantar Fasciitis there may be a problem with the biomechanics of the foot, contributing to the problem. The usual findings are a foot that 'over pronates', where the inner arch of the foot rolls over too much during walking and running. This can lead to tightness in the Achilles tendon and recent research has suggested that a tight Achilles tendon can increase strain on the Plantar Fascia. An insole that supports the inner arch of the foot can help to remedy this. We can prescribe this.
Conservative treatment, such as Physiotherapy, aims to reduce local inflammation and address any biomechanical problems. Stiff joints around the foot and ankle can be treated using mobilisation, where our Physios gently moves the joints manually to remove the stiffness and restore the normal range of movement. Taping and strapping has been shown to be an effective treatment for Plantar Fasciitis. The tape supports the Plantar Fascia and removes some of the strain that can aggravate the condition. With Physiotherapy Plantar Fasciitis settles in 95% of cases.
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