Plantar fasciitis is a common condition causing pain in the heel or into the arch of the foot. The Plantar fascia is a connective tissue which runs underneath the foot from the heel bone to the base of the toes forming the foot’s arch. Often injury is due to repetitive load and less commonly due to a traumatic injury. Due to the insertion of the plantar fascia on the heel bone often it will present as heel pain on walking.
Causes:
Repetitive or prolonged activities i.e. runners, dancers, gymnasts
Sudden increase in exercise or load
Poor foot posture- flat feet or high arches
Poor hip and knee muscle strength and control
Calf muscle tightness or joint stiffness
Inappropriate footwear
Signs and symptoms to be aware of are morning pain with the first few steps which eases with movement, an initial onset of pain with exercise which eases as you warm up, tenderness on the arch of the foot or the heel and pain when walking with no shoes or flat soles. With a progression of symptoms people may experience constant pain with walking which increases with loading and exercise.
A Physiotherapist will be able to diagnose plantar fasciitis by thorough assessment to target the cause and best management approach individually for you. Treatment may consist of advise on appropriate footwear, arch support when required, soft tissue release, joint mobilisation and home exercises of stretching and muscle strengthening. A Physio is then able to rehabilitate a patient through a gradual return to exercise to prevent reoccurrence of the injury.
If you have been experiencing heel or arch pain a physiotherapist at Hinteractive Physio can assess and diagnose the source of your symptoms to assist with the best treatment and management. Call us today on 54425556 or email us hinteractivephyio@gmail.com is you have any questions of enquires.
