Causes

The Plantar Fascia is a thick and fibrous band of connective tissue that originates on the bottom surface of the heel bone (calcaneus) and extends along the sole of the foot towards the toes.

• Overuse: as in the case of athletes and runners

• The position of the foot in shoes or frequent wearing of unsupportive shoes or high-heels.

• Sudden and repetitive increases in activity or weight

• The process of ageing

• Anatomical: It is commonly found in people with flat feet., whose biomechanics are not supportive enough.

Symptoms

• Pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel. There may be difficulty when trying to bend the toes up toward the shin. A decrease in the dorsiflexion of the ankle will cause this.

• There will be a heightened probability of knee pain, especially in runners and athletes.

• It will be worse in the morning upon waking when the excruciation of the pain is more likely and when the first steps of the day are taken.

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful acute inflammatory condition of the Plantar Fascia. As an acute issue, it is different to Plantar Fasciosis, which is a long term chronic condition that bring degenerative changes to the foot over time.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis is made via a clinical examination and includes checking the feet and watching the way the person walks and stands.

• The clinical exam will take into consideration the person’s medical history their body mass, levels of physical activity, their age, foot pain symptoms and their comments.

• Your podiatrist may order imaging studies [x-ray, ultrasound, MRI) to confirm the extent of damage. This assists in determining the length of time the condition has been present, if heel spurs are evident. Heel spurs form over long periods.

Treatment

Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis will depend on the severity of the diagnosis by your podiatrist. The range of options includes:

• From complete rest (R.I.C.E.) Treat - Ice - Elevation - Compression to the modification of current activities.

• Physical Therapy: heat or cold or a mixture. i.e ice for 5 minutes every hour when acute.

• Massage Therapy: Massage with a tennis ball, golf ball or Pedi Roller for 10 mins several times daily or as prescribed by your podiatrist

• Calf Stretching (hold the stretch for 10 seconds > do 10 repetitions 1-2 daily until pain subsides)

• Foot Wear assessment and recommendations of supportive shoes for your foot type and condition

• Inclusion of high quality supplements: - Zinc, Vit C and Magnesium. ‘Inflamood’ to help manage the situation better.

• Orthotic Therapy or heel lifts

• Taping, Strapping, Compression Socks (Fs-6)

• Night Splints to keep the foot in a dorsi-flexed position during sleep, improve muscle flexibility and decrease pain on walking.

• Extracorporeal Radial Shock Wave for fast pain relief and healing.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen

• Anti-inflammatory injections of corticosteroids

• Surgery (last resort)

Extracorporeal Radial Shockwave transmits high-intensity sound waves, through the skin, to interact with the  ssues of the body in ways that stimulate increased blood flow and metabolic activity. In short, it may have tremendous benefit for people who are suffering from chronic, debilitating pain. Our podiatrist may discuss this with you.

For further information, call us at the clinic on (08) 8362 9969.

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