Plantar Fasciitis All You Want To Know |PhysioDanali Orthopedic Physical Therapy

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by repeated strain to the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs from the heel to the toe. This strain can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive standing, running, jumping, and walking, especially on hard surfaces. Limited ankle dorsiflexion range of motion is also considered a risk factor,as well as, high body mass index in nonathletic individuals, running, and work-related weight-bearing activities—particularly, always under conditions with poor shock absorption

What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis?

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel or arch of the foot, most noticeable with initial steps in the morning or after periods of inactivity. This pain may be accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. Pain might get worse following prolonged weight bearing or precipitated by a recent increase in weight-bearing activity.

How can Physical Therapy Help plantar fasciitis?

Physical therapy can help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis by using a variety of techniques, including stretching exercises, massage, and ice or heat therapy. Your physical therapist can also teach you proper foot mechanics and shoe selection to help prevent future injuries.

What physical examination includes

The clinician will perform an examination to the patient with plantar fasciitis, which will give a positive assessment if it includes the following

Pain with palpation of the proximal insertion of the plantar fascia, that is the heel
Positive Windlass test
Negative tarsal tunnel tests
Limited active and passive talocrural joint dorsiflexion range of motion
Abnormal Foot Posture Index score
High body mass index in nonathletic individuals

Clinicians should utilize easily reproducible performance-based measures of activity limitation and participation restriction measures to assess changes in the patient’s level of function associated with heel pain/plantar fasciitis over the episode of care.

Differential Diagnosis

Clinicians should assess for diagnostic classifications other than heel pain/plantar fasciitis, including spondyloarthritis, fat-pad atrophy, and proximal plantar fibroma.

Interventions – Othopedic Physical Therapy

Othopedic Manual Therapy intervention for plantar fasciitis is supported by excellent, Grade A, scientific research. Clinicians should use manual therapy, consisting of joint and soft tissue mobilization, procedures to treat relevant lower extremity joint mobility and calf flexibility deficits and to decrease pain and improve function in individuals with heel pain/plantar fasciitis.
High quality , Grade A, scientific research also supports stretching exercises. Clinicians should use plantar fascia–specific and gastrocnemius/soleus stretching to provide short-term (1 week to 4 months) pain relief for individuals with heel pain/plantar fasciitis. Heel pads may be used to increase the benefits of stretching.
Kinesiology Taping, also supported by Grade A scientific research, should be used by clinicians for antipronation or, immediate (up to 3 weeks) pain reduction and improved function for individuals with heel pain/plantar fasciitis. Additionally, clinicians may use elastic therapeutic tape applied to the gastrocnemius and plantar fascia for short-term (1 week) pain reduction.
Foot Orthoses, also has excellent, Grade A, support and should be used. The patient might choose either prefabricated or custom fabricated/fitted, to support the medial longitudinal arch and cushion the heel in individuals with heel pain/plantar fasciitis to reduce pain and improve function for short- (2 weeks) to longterm (1 year) periods, especially in those individuals who respond positively to antipronation taping techniques. Night slpints are also suitable for the treatment of plantar fasciitis for 1-3 month period, for individuals who consistently have pain with the first step in the morning.

What happens if I don't treat plantar fasciitis?

If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can become a chronic clinical condition that is more difficult to treat. It can also lead to other foot and leg problems as you compensate for the pain, such as knee, hip, or back pain. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Contact PhysioDanali today for your consultation.

Plantar Fasciitis