It is an inflammatory condition that causes chronic heel pain.
Symptoms:
- The common symptom is pain on the underside of the heel which is persistent during the first few steps of getting out in the morning.
- Sharp stabbing pain which affects both the front and the back of the heel bone.
- Heel pain is worse during periods of inactivity (sleeping/resting) when getting up then subsides turning into a dull ache.
Causes:
- Abnormal pronation of the foot causing stretching of planter fascia resulting in inflammation, irritation and pain of the fascia attachment site on the heel bone
- Contributing factors; age, weight gain, occupation (long periods of time standing/walking on hard surfaces), inactivity and poor foot wear (non supportive)
- Heel spur caused by continues pulling of the fascia at the heel bone eventually causing a bony growth
- Micro-tearing of the tissue causes pain as the planter fascia is constantly being tightened and shortened quickly
Treatment:
- Acute treatment; ice placed onto the heel area, rest or reduced activity, NSAIDS ( cortisone-steroid injections)
- Program of daily exercises
- Orthotic soles
