What is plantar fasciopathy?
The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue that originates from the heel and connects to our toes. The fascia helps provide stability when we walk. However, when there is a sudden spike in activity, this thick band can be irritated and cause heel pain. The exact mechanism of plantar fasciitis (plantar fasciopathy) is unknown but it is believed that excessive repetitive pressure on the fascia can lead to this common condition. Approximately 1 in 10 people experience plantar fasciitis in their life. People who experience plantar fasciitis most often report a painful first step in the morning.
Who gets plantar fasciitis?
The most vulnerable population are people who don’t do much or people who do too much! These can be people who live a sedentary lifestyle then decide to pick up a weekend up sport which can lead to a sudden spike in activity. On the other side of the spectrum, we have people who are athletes and do a lot of walking or running, these large training volumes can also lead this group to be susceptible to plantar fasciitis. Other risk factors involve the following:
- Obesity
- Age >40 years
- Occupation that requires long hours or standing and walking e.g. teachers, nurses and factory workers
- Foot mechanics e.g. flat-feet, uneven weight distribution, etc.
- Sports that are high impact on the foot e.g. marathon runners, basketball and ballet dancers
How is plantar fasciitis diagnosed?
A physiotherapist will be able to take a detailed history and assessment about your foot pain to determine if you do have this plantar heel condition. An ultrasound scan can also be ordered to rule in plantar fasciitis and rule out other similar pathologies. A plantar thickness >4.0 mm can be used as an indicator of plantar fasciitis. This condition usually takes several weeks to months to heal depending on the individual.
How do I treat plantar fasciitis?
Physiotherapy is a safe and effective strategy to fix plantar fasciitis. It usually involves slow-resistance training to build up strength in the foot and calf muscles. Strong foot muscles help provide stability at the foot therefore helping you walk pain-free in your daily activities. A Myphysio physiotherapist will be able to give you the appropriate rehab exercise to help fix this condition. Our physiotherapist will also be able to give you specific strategies to relieve your foot pain. Book an appointment today.
Corticosteroid Injections: Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that can be injected in the plantar fascia to provide symptomatic relief. However, research have shown that this treatment modality is only effective in the short-term. Corticosteroid injection can be used in conjunction with physiotherapy to help you perform your exercise or other activities.
Orthotics: These are special insoles you can wear inside your shoes to help support the plantar fascia when you stand, walk or run. Prefabricated orthotics can be just as good as customized orthotics, it is important to try a couple of different types of orthotics and find one that is comfortable for your foot. A physiotherapist or a podiatrist can help guide you in selecting the appropriate foot orthotics.