Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibre that runs from the heel bone across the sole of the foot to the toes.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful irritation of the plantar fascia which causes pain under the foot. Plantar fasciitis is the most common overuse injury of the foot in middle aged to older people. Ten percent of overuse running injuries in the older athlete is attributable to plantar fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms

·                    Pain is the primary symptom of plantar fasciitis. Pain is usually felt in the middle of the sole of the foot near the heel, but may be experienced further towards the toes or round towards the heel. It is often tender to push on the site of the pain.

·                    Pain is worse on weight bearing activities, such as walking, and better when resting.

·                    Pain is worse on the first few steps each morning or after sitting for a while. The relaxed position of the foot, which it falls into when resting, is with the toes pointing downwards, which puts the plantar fascia in a shortened position. Healing occurs overnight or when resting, but then when the foot is put to the floor the plantar fascia is stretched and the new healing tears.

·                    The onset of pain is gradual. There is not normally one accident or incident that can be pinpointed as having caused the plantar fasciitis, but the pain usually comes on over time.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

It is thought that it is repeated micro trauma to the plantar fascia that causes poor quality healing and extensibility in the plantar fascia and thus inflammation irritation and pain.

There are several factors that predispose someone towards getting plantar fasciitis.

·                    Spending lots of time on tip toes, for instance wearing high heels or some kind of dance activity. This shortens the plantar fascia and the calf muscles.

·                    Obesity or rapid weight gain, such as during pregnancy, increases the strain on the plantar fascia

·                    Overpronation of the foot.

·                    Underlying conditions. Some rheumatoid conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis can cause plantar fasciitis. Anyone who is also experiencing other symptoms or has plantar fasciitis in both feet should see their medical practitioner for blood tests to rule out underlying conditions.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment:

·                    Physiotherapy: This will often incorporate stretching and strengthening exercises and may include taping to take the pressure off the plantar fascia.

·                    Night Splint: The use of a splint at night to hold the foot with the plantar fascia not in a shortened position can help quality healing and reduce pain.

·                    Correction of any underlying mechanical conditions: Frequently, people with plantar fasciitis overpronate, so if underlying causes are not corrected there is an increased probability that the plantar fasciitis will recur.

·                    Reduce local inflammation with the use of ice and or medication.

·                    Use shock absorbing insoles to help take the pressure off the plantar fascia.

·                    Podiatry assessment and the provision of specialist orthotics can be useful if the foot position needs correcting.