Plantar Fasciitis  (PLAN-tur   fas-e-I-tis).  

Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common conditions resulting in heel pain. This condition is an inflammation/irritation of the plantar fascia and is common in all age groups. The plantar fascia is longitudinal bands of dense fibrous connective tissue that originates at the heel bone and runs along the sole of the foot (plantar surface) to its attachment at the base of the toes. The plantar fascia act as a bow string to keep the arch of the foot from collapsing.

Signs

• pain usually felt along the underside of the heel, arch (MLA) and into the metatarsal heads

• pain and/or stiffness in the morning or after periods of rest, relief after a few steps

• pain after excessive activity or at the end of the day

• may be sudden with unknown onset/cause

Causes

• mechanical stress and/or direct micro-trauma placed on the plantar fascia

• loss of natural tissue for cushioning under the heel (“fat pad atrophy”)

• excessive pronation lengthens the arch overstretching the plantar fascia

• results in micro-tears of the fascia and increased pull on the  calcaneus (heel bone), which may lead to the development of a  heel spur

Treatments

The treatment of Plantar Fasciitis is relatively simple, yet it may take several weeks or more for the symptoms to go away completely, allowing you to resume normal activity. Your physician may prescribe one or more of the following treatment options depending on the severity of your situation.

• Stretching and icing: daily stretching of the heel cord and plantar fascia to help warm-up the soft tissue. Icing is required after the stretching to reduce inflammation

• Rest and activity modification: decreasing distances and duration of activities such as standing/walking/running

• Custom Orthotic Devices: if you have a foot dysfunction, a custom made orthosis can be manufactured to redistibute pressure, control flexible mechanical abnormalities (pronation/supination) and cushion under heel

• Proper Footwear: footwear should have features to control improper foot mechanics and compliment  the orthoses

• other health care modalities: Physiotherapy and/or massage therapy

• Night splints:  worn at night while you sleep, keeps tension on the plantar fascia so it heals in a stretched position.