Plantar fasciopathy (aka plantar fasciitis) is a common foot condition that causes heel pain. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. This tissue supports the arch of your foot and acts as a shock-absorber.
Common Causes of Plantar Fasciopathy
Several factors can contribute to the development of plantar fasciitis. These include:
- Age: It’s most common between the ages of 40 and 60.
- Certain types of exercise: Activities that involve frequent quick movements like stopping, starting, or pivoting; or placing a lot of stress on your heel and attached tissue, such as long-distance running, tennis, pickleball, ballet dancing, and aerobic dance.
- Foot mechanics: Flat feet, a high arch, or an abnormal pattern of walking can add stress to the plantar fascia.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts added stress on the plantar fascia.
- Occupation: Jobs that require you to spend long periods standing or walking on hard surfaces.
- Tight Achilles tendon: Which can limit the flexibility in your ankle.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciopathy
The most common symptom is a stabbing pain in the bottom of your heel, especially with your first steps in the morning. The pain usually decreases after you get moving, but it might return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a prolonged period of sitting.
Other symptoms may include:
- Heel pain that is worse after exercise, not during it.
- Stiffness in the heel.
- Pain that radiates into the arch of the foot.
Treatments for Plantar Fasciopathy:
Several treatments are available for plantar fasciitis. These include:
- Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the pain.
- Ice: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Stretching: Regularly stretching the great toe into extension, plantar fascia, and calf muscles.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Night splints: Wearing a splint at night to keep the plantar fascia and calf muscles stretched.
- Orthotics: Custom-fitted or over-the-counter arch supports can help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and pain, but they are not a long-term solution.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The clinicians at FPSPT can help you with:
- Gait analysis: To identify any biomechanical issues that may be contributing to your plantar fasciitis.
- Manual therapy: Techniques such as massage and mobilization to reduce pain and improve tissue mobility.
- Specific stretches and exercises: To improve flexibility and strength in your foot and ankle.
- Education: On proper footwear, activity modification, and self-care strategies.
- Custom orthotics: If needed, a physical therapist can help fit you for custom orthotics.
Physical therapy can help to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent recurrence of plantar fasciitis. By addressing the underlying causes of the condition, our physical therapists at FPSPT can provide long-term relief and help you return to your normal activities. Call us today to schedule an initial evaluation; it’s only forward from here!
