What is Plantar Fasciitis? And its Causes
Plantar Fasciopathy (also referred to as Plantar Fasciitis) is the most common cause of plantar heel pain. It is an overuse injury which commonly affects very active individuals (e.g., runners) or people who spend increased hours on their feet at work who may also have an increased BMI.
Pain is usually felt on the inside of your heel and is commonly worse in the morning, especially during the first few steps. Pain will also commonly improve during activity but may return when it is ceased. In more progressed cases of this condition, the heel pain may become present when standing throughout the day (especially after prolonged inactivity) and increase with activity.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Conservative treatment techniques which have been found to benefit patients with plantar fasciopathy include certain taping techniques, foot orthoses (or inserts), heel pads, stretching and strengthening exercises, and night splints.
Please find an example of some night splints in this review video by Tim:
If conservative options are not improving your plantar heel pain, there are non-conservative and more invasive options such as corticosteroid injections and surgery. However, prolonged reliance on injections is not recommended, nor is opting for surgery before trailing a conservative treatment plan.
Speak to one of our physiotherapist in north adelaide about your plantar heel pain and they can provide you with the necessary education and treatment plan to manage this condition.
Luke Chetcuti – Sports Physiotherapist
Body Fit Physiotherapy
Reference: Brukner et al. (2017), ‘Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine (Volume 1) 5th Edn’, McGraw Hill, Sydney Australia