Plantar fasciitis is a heel-pain-causing disorder. The plantar fascia, a broad band of tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot and supports the arch, can become inflamed or torn. While you put weight on your foot, especially when taking your first steps in the morning, you feel agony. The discomfort might be felt in the heel, arch, or ball of the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is a frequent ailment that affects the soles of the feet. It affects as many as 9.6% of the Canadian population and 10% of the population over their lifetime.
Plantar fasciitis is caused by a number of factors, including:
- Age (over 40 years)
- A employment, sport, or hobby that requires standing or other weight-bearing activities for long periods of time.
- Rapid increases in length or levels of activity, such as beginning a new running program or changing to a job that requires a lot more standing or walking than you are accustomed to.
- Decreased calf muscle flexibility
- Increased body weight (Body Mass Index greater than 30)
- Tendency to have a flat foot (pronation)
Plantar fasciitis affects both athletes and non-athletes of all ages. Both men and women are equally at risk of developing the disease.
In most cases, treatment relieves discomfort and allows you to put weight on your foot again.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a heel-pain-causing disorder. The plantar fascia, a broad band of tissue that connects the heel to the ball of the foot and supports the arch, can become inflamed or torn. When the plantar fascia is overworked by repeated weight-bearing exercises, the condition develops. People who are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis also may have heel spurs, a bony growth that forms on the heel bone. However, people with heel spurs may not experience pain.
Plantar fasciitis occurs most frequently in people in their 40s but can occur in all age groups.
Athletes who run frequently and non-athletes who are on their feet for the most of the day, such as police officers, cashiers, or restaurant workers, might develop the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The start of plantar fasciitis symptoms is typically accompanied by an increase in exercise. A searing pain on the underside of your heel, as well as tightness and/or discomfort around your arch, are possible symptoms.
People with plantar fasciitis may experience pain:
- In the morning, when stepping out of bed and taking the first steps of the day
- With prolonged standing
- When standing up after sitting for awhile
- After an intense weight-bearing activity such as running
- When climbing stairs
- When walking barefoot or in shoes with poor support
Your pain may diminish during the day as your body warms up, but then intensify at the end of the day due to prolonged walking. You may limp if you have severe symptoms.
Diagnosis
A medical history will be taken by your physiotherapist at Physiotouch Courtice to ensure that you do not have any other conditions that could be causing the pain. The diagnosis of the physiotherapist is based on your health and activity history, as well as a clinical evaluation. The physiotherapist will be able to assess your illness and develop a treatment programme for your unique needs if you share information regarding the relationship between your symptoms and your work and recreation, as well as any lifestyle changes.
Your therapist may do the following physical examinations to determine if you have plantar fasciitis:
- Massaging and pressing on the heel area (palpation)
- Gently stretching the ankle to bend the top of the foot toward the leg (dorsiflexion)
- Gently pressing the toes toward the ankle
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
Physiotherapists at Physiotouch Courtice will evaluate and treat plantar fasciitis. If you’ve been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your physiotherapist will work with you to create a treatment plan that includes:
- Stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your ankle and the plantar fascia
- Use of a night splint to maintain correct ankle and toe positions
- Selection of supportive footwear and/or shoe inserts that minimize foot pronation and reduce stress to the plantar fascia
- Application of ice to decrease pain and inflammation
- Iontophoresis (a gentle way to deliver medication through the skin)
- Taping of the foot to provide short-term relief
- Shockwave therapy
Most cases of plantar fasciitis improve over time with these conservative treatments, according to research, and surgery is rarely required.
Book your appointment Today! If you require alternate appointment times, please contact us and we will gladly assist you with your reservation.
What to Expect on Your First Visit:
- At Physiotouch Courtice, you will register with our friendly front office staff.
- A comprehensive assessment by a Physiotherapist or other Health Care Provider will take you through a detailed history of your major physical concern, assessment of your range of motion and strength, as well as a variety of special tests specific to your injury or dysfunction. These assessment findings are analyzed and used to create a clinical impression. This will help us to better identifying and understanding your problem and formulating an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for your needs and to achieve the realistic goals. This treatment plan could involve a number of things including therapeutic exercises, therapeutic modalities, manual mobilizations, massage, patient and family education, activity modification, home exercise programs, supervised exercise programs and many others.
- There will be some treatments performed the first day to get you started on your path to recovery. However, during the next visits you will get into all aspects of your treatment plan.
- Our staff will help you scheduling your next visits at Physiotouch Courtice as per treatment plan recommended by related Health Care Provider. We offer many convenient appointment times, however, prime times can become busy, so it is best to book ahead as much as possible.
- If you have any questions at any time, please do not hesitate to call. We want to ensure your satisfaction and full recovery.
Before Your First Visit
- You will receive a confirmation email shortly after booking your appointment.
- This email will contain some forms which you can fill out and sign from your device in handy.
- If you have any questions, ask us before signing the form.
- If you are not able to access the forms online, please arrive 15 minutes early for your first appointment so that we can help you with the paperwork.
- Make a list of questions that you want to discuss on your first visit.
- Bring with you if you have any imaging reports (i.e.) X-rays, Ultrasound/MRI (etc.) and doctor’s referral.
- Bring with you a copy of your insurance card and a photo ID.