Planter Fasciitis

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