Introduction: What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the foot caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia.The plantar fascia is the thick tendon-like connective tissue which supports the arch of the foot. It runs from the front of the calcaneus  (heel bone) forward to the heads of the metatarsal bones.

The Plantar Fascia contributes to support of the arch of the foot by acting as a tie-rod, where it undergoes tension when the foot bears weight.

Causes of  Plantar Fasciitis

Under normal circumstances, the Plantar Fascia acts like a shock absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch in the foot. If tension on that bowstring becomes too great, it can create small tears in the fascia. Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed.

A few quick facts about Plantar Fasciitis:

  • Develops gradually.
  • Feels like sharp pain in the heel.
  • Commonly affects just one foot, although it can occur in both feet simultaneously.
  • Is worst with the first few steps in the morning, although it can be triggered by long periods of standing or getting up from a seated position.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis

Medications:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve may ease pain and inflammation, although they won’t treat the underlying problem.
  • Corticosteroid injections can reduce the pain but multiple injections are not recommended because they can weaken the Plantar Fascia and possibly cause it to rupture, as well as shrink the fat pad covering the heel bone.

Therapies:

  • Stretching is the primary therapy because it helps to loosen the inflamed fascia tissue.
  • The doctor may prescribe orthotics or heel supports, either over-the-counter or custom fitted, to help distribute pressure to the feet more evenly. Podiatrist David Yee asks patients to wear appropriate footwear even in the house. No bare feet or rubber slippers. “It’s like when you break your arm and have a cast. You don’t take the cast off in the house,” he explained.
  • A night splint fitted to the calf and foot and worn while sleeping holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight so they can be stretched more effectively.
  • A physical therapist can develop a series of exercises to stretch the Plantar Fascia, calf muscles and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles that stabilize the ankle and heel. A therapist may also assist with athletic taping to support the bottom of the foot.
  • Surgery is a last resort, used only when the pain is severe and all else fails. Patients who opt for surgery usually do so because they don’t want to wait for other therapies to work, which can take months or years.

Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet

Having Flat Feet coupled with excessive physical activity or  being overweight can cause increased stretching of the   plantar fascia and trigger Plantar Fasciitis. Proprioceptive treatment with the Posture Control Insoles helps strengthen the foot muscles and achieve a correct gait that puts less strain on the Plantar Fascia.  Additional posts on the Posture Control Insoles can be found here.

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