Condition – Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, or more accurately fasciosis, is a painful condition affecting the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a large ligamentous structure that extends from the heel to the base of the toes.
Causes:
Plantar fasciitis can be caused by:
- playing sports and doing activities that put stress on the heel bone, such as running, dance and aerobics
- flat-feet or having high arches
- middle-aged or older
- Increased weight gain
- pregnancy
- spending a lot of time on your feet
- wearing shoes with poor arch support or stiff soles
- having tight calf muscles
Symptoms:
The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain under the heel, which can be dull or sharp. The foot sole may ache and the heel may be slightly swollen.
The pain may be worse:
- in the morning, as you take your first steps
- after prolonged standing or sitting
- after intense activity
Treatment options:
There are various treatment options available, such as:
- pain-relief medicine
- physiotherapy with specific stretching exercises to stretch the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia
- resting your foot
- wearing shoes with good support and cushioning
- orthotics
- Night splints
- heel pads and arch supports in your shoes (orthotics)
- an icepack applied to your foot for 10 to 20 minutes up to 4 times daily.
Our podiatrists can treat plantar fasciitis by assessing your gait, suggesting appropriate footwear, providing stretching exercises and assessing the need for orthotics.