By Desiree Gagne, MA, OTR/L

Are you suffering from Plantar Fasciitis Pain?

• You are in pain and not sure what to do or who to ask?
• You are frustrated that your heel pain is making simple things like walking and getting out and about difficult?
• Is walking first thing in the morning a nightmare because of the pain?
• You just want to get back to normal and do the things you love
• You are taking painkillers and would like to stop?
• You are worried that your heel pain isn’t going to get better and it’s really getting you down?

WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?

Plantar Fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain and is one of the most common causes of heel pain. If you have been told you have plantar fasciitis, you may wonder what this is and what caused you to get this. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of each foot. This band, also known as the plantar fascia, connects the heel bone to the toes. This band supports the arch of the foot and absorbs shock when walking.
Small tears in the fascia from tension, stress and repeated stretching can irritate or inflame the plantar fascia, causing pain. At times, plantar fasciitis can develop without an obvious cause, which can be very frustrating.

THE RISK FACTORS

There are certain risk factors associated with developing this painful condition. These may include:

CERTAIN TYPES OF EXERCISE: Exercising is great for you; however, certain types of exercise can place stress on your heel and attached tissue. Activities such as long-distance running, aerobic exercise, and ballet dancing are a few exercises that can contribute to the onset of plantar fasciitis.

OBESITY: Having extra weight on your bones and tissue puts extra stress on your feet and plantar fascia.

LONG-TERM STANDING: Occupations such as teachers, factory workers, cashiers, and servers, require one to stand for a good part of the day which places extra stress on your feet.

AGE: Plantar Fasciitis is most common between the ages of 40 and 60 years old.

FOOT MECHANICS: One can not help the feet you were born with. However, if you have flat feet, a high arch, or even tend to walk off-center can all affect the way weight is distributed through your feet. This can put added stress on the plantar fascia causing inflammation and pain.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS?

Plantar Fasciitis is painful! A common sign is feeling pain after getting out of bed and taking a few steps. However, not every person experiences this symptom. The pain can also be triggered by long periods of standing or when you get up from sitting. In more severe cases, the pain will also worsen towards the end of the day.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU’VE BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE PLANTAR FASCIITIS?

Plantar Fasciitis is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and physical examination. The location of your pain, and tenderness in your foot, can help determine if you have plantar fasciitis. Your health care provider may order imaging to make sure the pain is not related to another cause, such as a stress fracture or bone spur.

TREATMENT

PHYSICAL THERAPY: A Physical Therapist can provide you with education, stretches, and exercises to help stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon. You can also learn exercises to strengthen your lower-body muscles.

NIGHT SPLINTS: The purpose of a night splint is to provide a passive stretch, or lengthened position while you sleep, to your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon.

ORTHOTICS: Your health care provider may refer you to an orthotist for custom-fitted arch supports, which will help evenly distribute the pressure on your feet.

WALKING BOOT: Your health care provider may refer you to an orthotist for a temporary walking boot, or a CAM Walker Boot. This keeps your foot and ankle in place which assists with offloading pressure on your plantar fascia and Achilles tendon while you walk.

Symptoms usually resolve more quickly when the interval between the onset of symptoms and the onset of treatment is shortened. Early recognition and treatment usually lead to a shorter course of treatment and success with conservative treatment measures.

At Rehability, our highly experienced team is dedicated to helping people just like you get back to doing the things you love, without pain or restriction. Whether you need physical therapy, orthotics, or both, we can help in one convenient location. Call 352-701-0494 to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended to provide general health information and is not intended to provide individual-specific medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.