Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis frequently occurs in the heel or arch of the foot, causing foot pain. Indeed, the latter extends over the hindfoot whose pain can be intense, especially when you get up in the morning. The main subjects to this injury are athletes and people who stand most of the time. Plantar fasciitis is due to inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong tissue that surrounds the tendon to support the arch.

What are the main causes of plantar fasciitis?

The main causes of plantar fasciitis are varied:

• Overweight that causes tension of the ligament;
• Intensive training resulting from running;
• Stiffness of the joints and muscles of the foot or ankle.

What are the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

• Moderate or sharp pain upon waking;
• Difficulty making efforts with the affected foot;
• Pain that spreads to the ankle and calf.

How to diagnose plantar fasciitis?

• By a clinical examination of the affected foot in physiotherapy;
• By radiography.

A clinical examination of the affected foot should be performed can be performed by a physiotherapist to conclude the diagnosis. This examination may reveal that the patient is suffering from plantar fasciitis if he feels pain when touching on the plantar fascia.

During an X-ray, the doctor may find a bone outgrowth that looks like a spine and may be on the lower or anterior level of the calcaneus. It is known as a heel spur, but in most cases, a person who suffers from plantar fasciitis does not have heel spines. Moreover, she may also not feel pain, which means that the appearance of this heel spur is not always the cause of plantar fasciitis.

A magnetic resonance imaging or MRI test can also be helpful, as the patient’s plantar fascia can often tear.

What are the preventions?

Avoid wearing uncomfortable shoes. If necessary, add insoles or heels;

Do exercises to make the plantar fascia and calf muscles flexible;

Keep a normal weight to prevent tension of the plantar fascia.

Is it possible to reduce plantar fasciitis?

To alleviate the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, wearing foot orthotics can be an effective solution. Foot orthotics are designed to support the arch, distribute pressure at the foot, stabilize the ankle, control pronation and absorb shocks using the foot pads.

What tips to reduce pain?

• Apply ice during inflammation;
• Perform exercises to reduce tension and strengthen muscles;
• Put nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Physiotherapy sessions to relieve fasciitis

Thanks to the experience of the professionals working at Physio+ Hamel, the causes of your pain due to plantar fasciitis will be evaluated. This is how they can relieve you and correct tension in the plantar arch. Moreover, treatments vary depending on the degree of plantar fasciitis, but in most cases, you can be offered the following treatments:

• Therapeutic training;
• Annual therapy;
• Taping;
• Radial shock waves or shockwae.

Simply contact the professionals to relieve you of the pain caused by plantar fasciitis.