While the term can sound scary, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that causes inflammation of the plantar fascia; the connective tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of the foot.
Symptoms
- Sharp pain in you heel
- Increased pain in the morning
- Increased pain after exercise and activities including prolonged WB (standing, walking, running)
Contributing factors
- Prolonged walking and/or standing
- Occupations with prolonged weight bearing standing or walking
- Sudden increase in running intensity/volume
- Foot Mechanics; having a flat foot or an abnormal walking pattern
- Tight calves
- Obesity
What can you do ?
- Activity modification: avoid prolonged weight bearing, walking long distances and repetitive impact (i.e. running) during treatment phase
- Orthotics (heel cups), night splints
- Proper footwear with good arch support
- Apply ice for 10-15 minutes
- Or Place a frozen water bottle underneath your foot and roll it back and forth 5 minutes (Always monitor the skin!)
- Physiotherapy
- Stretching the plantar fascia and calf muscles
A physiotherapist will do an evaluation and prepare an individualized plan of treatment. They will use different modalities to help reduce pain, restore range of motion, strength and flexibility, ensure proper walking and running patterns and most importantly, help you to return to activities
References:
Jackson, Emily. What is Plantar Fasciitis and How Can Physiotherapy Help? (2017) Retrived from https://www.capitalphysio.com/health-news/plantar-fasciitis-can-physiotherapy-help/ on September 19, 2019
Lim, A. T., How, C. H., & Tan, B. (2016). Management of plantar fasciitis in the outpatient setting. Singapore medical journal, 57(4), 168.
Physiopedia, 2019. Plantar Fasciitis. Retrieved from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Plantar_Fasciitis on September 19, 2019
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