Plantar Fasciitis
WHAT IS PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
The most common source of heel and arch pain in adults is a condition known as Plantar Fasciitis. It causes severe pain at the undersurface (arch) of the foot which is usually most tender near the heel. It is usually reported to be most intense on the first few steps of walking in the morning or the first few steps after a period of rest.
WHAT CAUSES PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
The exact reason why plantar fasciitis occurs is not clear. However, there are a few risk factors that can make individuals more prone to developing the condition. These include:
- Increase in age (ie 50+)
- Flat feet or loss of normal arch
- A sudden increase in running
- Long hours on your feet
- Excess body-weight
WHY DOES PLANTAR FASCIITIS OCCUR?
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the band-like tendon called the plantar fascia at the bottom of your foot starts to wear and the muscles in the region start to fatigue or weaken. This weakness places more stress on the already strained plantar fascia causing the tendon itself to become inflamed and tug on the bone it’s attached to. This tugging on the bone can result in the bone distending from its original location, which can lead to the development of a bone spur. Bone spurs are another finding commonly seen associated with plantar fasciitis and can be diagnosed through X-ray imaging.
WHAT SHOULD YOU AVOID DOING IF YOU HAVE PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t respond well to climbing stairs or standing for prolonged periods. Symptoms may also exacerbate when the plantar fascia is being stretched or when walking on the heels.
DO I NEED SURGERY FOR MY PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
It is not common for surgery to be performed, in fact only 5% of the population suffering from plantar fasciitis will proceed with surgery (1). This is due to the fact that multiple treatment options such as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Laser therapy, Corticosteroid Injections and Plasma Rich Platelet Injections, can all be performed or referred to by your Osteopath, before surgery is suggested. The surgery is commonly referred to as a plantar fascia release, where part of the plantar fascia is incised (surgically cut) to relieve the pressure and assist with reducing inflammation.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Academy of Pediatrics (2010). Plantar fasciitis. In JF Sarwark, ed., Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 4th ed., pp. 839–844. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
ARE THERE ANY HOME-BASED TREATMENTS FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Firstly, plantar fasciitis is usually diagnosed with ultrasound imaging which is also used to rule out other conditions of the feet. If the pain is at its worst on the first few steps in the morning or after rest, massaging the base of your foot with your fist or an instrument (i.e. spikey ball) may be useful.
● Rest/Ice: When the plantar fascia is inflamed (at its most severe in pain levels) resting and icing the inflammation may help relieve the pain. Many patients find keeping an iced bottle of water in the fridge and rolling the base of the foot over the area helps.
● Avoid painful activities: Your practitioner will help you identify the movements to avoid (i.e. stair climbing) along with any sporting activities that contribute to the condition.
● Supportive footwear: Purchasing arch support or wearing supportive shoes can help prevent excess strain on the plantar fascia and associated muscles.
● Weight-loss: Excess weight places more pressure through your feet. If you think this may be a contributing factor, a balanced diet and exercising may be helpful.
● Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac (voltaren) may reduce the inflammation and pain in the area.
● Bracing and Taping: There are several different types of taping methods for plantar fasciitis, including night splints.
● Exercises and stretching: Your osteopath will be able to identify the muscles that may be weak and cause excessive strain on the plantar fascia. They will then prescribe a specific exercise regime to tackle these imbalances
CAN OSTEOPATHY HELP TREAT PLANTAR FASCIITIS?
Osteopaths commonly diagnose and treat plantar fasciitis. There is a range of manual therapy techniques osteopaths use, that may reduce the symptoms and pain experienced by plantar fasciitis.
● Your osteopath will assess your feet and may refer you for ultrasound imaging to assist with the correct diagnosis and prognosis (tissue healing time).
● They will also help to identify the actions in your day-to-day life, which may be contributing to your presentation.
● Individualised soft tissue, joint manipulation and adjunct treatment techniques will be implemented during your 45min appointment to promote tissue relaxation, healing capacity and fluid movement.
● A comprehensive exercise rehabilitation program will be implemented to treat the underlying cause of the plantar fasciitis.
● An adjunct treatment commonly used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis is extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
● Title: how does shockwave therapy help plantar fasciitis
* attach Chanatooga shockwave video* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgESfk6A0ek&list=UU-bsGt-apO1Gwr1s8A_NGGw&t=10s
● Another adjunct therapy our team can use in the treatment of plantar fasciitis is high-intensity laser therapy which has been suggested to decrease pain and increase the function of the foot within a three week period. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10103-018-2497-6)
Providing healthcare with our osteopaths near me in Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Camberwell East, Richmond, Malvern and Glen Iris.
