Plantar Fasciitis
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What is Plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions causing heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia — a tough, fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. The plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus) and to the base of the toes. It helps support the arch of the foot and has an important role in normal foot mechanics during walking.
Tension or stress in the plantar fascia increases when you place weight on your foot, for example; when you are standing. The tension also increases when you push off on the ball of the foot and toes. Both motions occur during normal walking or running. With overuse or over time, the fascia loses some of its elasticity or resilience and can become irritated with routine daily activities.
What causes plantar fasciitis? Inflammation and pain in the fascia can be caused by:
- An increase in activity level (like starting a gym, walking or running programme)
- The structure or shape of the foot
- The type of surface on which you are standing, walking or running
- The type of shoes you are wearing
- Weight gain
- Doing a job that involves a lot of standing/walking
Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis & Treatment:
Plantar fasciitis is one of many conditions causing heel pain. Some other possible causes include:
- Nerve compression in the foot or in the back
- Stress fracture of the calcaneus
- Loss of the fatty tissue pad under the heel
Plantar fasciitis can be distinguished from these and other conditions based on medical history and examination by your Podiatrist. Once diagnosed, your treatment plan is geared towards reducing the stress on the Plantar Fascia, reducing inflammation and providing you with an exercise programme to rehabilitate the Plantar Fascia and associated structures. Specialised Treatments may include Strapping and a personalised exercise programme, laser therapy, MSK Assessment and Orthotics.