Plantar Fasciitis
Last year we all noticed an increase in the number of patients presenting with plantar fasciitis, particularly women. We’ve speculated that one contributing factor may have been a fashion trend to wear flat flimsy ballet type shoes. Unfortunately these shoes offer little support or cushioning to the foot and are often ill fitting. As a result of these stresses placed upon the foot this type of shoe probably makes it more likely for a person to develop plantar fasciitis. Interestingly it is well known that this condition is more common in women than men.Here are the facts
Under your foot is a strong band of tissue (like a ligament) which runs from the heel to the middle foot bones and is called the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia helps support the arch and acts as a shock absorber; when it becomes inflamed plantar fasciitis results.The symptoms of plantar fasciitis
- Pain, somewhere under the foot between the heel and the ball of the foot.
- The pain is often worse in the morning and eases with a little gentle movement.
- Aggravated by long walks or being on your feet.
- Resting usually eases the pain.
- Stretching the sole of the foot can make it worse – such as walking up stairs.
Plantar fasciitis is normally diagnosed after listening to the patient’s story and examining the foot or feet. Generally no special investigations or tests are required.
What is the best management for plantar fasciitis
- Usually the pain will ease with time and good management. Fascial tissue, like ligamentous tissue, heals quite slowly; it may take several months or more to settle down. However, good management, especially in the early stages, can help speed up the recovery and make a full recovery more likely.
- Firstly, consult your GP or an osteopath to get a diagnosis. During a consultation at the Osteopathic Health Centre the osteopath will take a full case history and examine your feet. In addition the osteopath will undertake a biomechanical assessment of the feet, the legs and your posture. Every attempt is made to try and discover why a particular person has developed plantar fasciitis. Understanding why it has developed enables the osteopath to be specific when designing a treatment regime and when giving advice on exercises and self help tips.
The do's and dont's
- Do rest your foot as much as possible.
- Don’t run, stand or walk for too long or excessively stretch the sole of the foot.
- Don’t walk bare foot.
- Do wear good supportive foot wear preferably with good arch supports and cushioned heels.
- Don’t wear thin soled shoes or old worn shoes which may not give good support.
How to manage the pain
- Try to follow the advice above.
- Pain killers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) can be useful. Please consult your GP when taking any medication.
- Rubbing anti-inflammatory gel into the painful area may help.
- Using an ice pack on the painful area may also help to ease the pain.
Osteopathic treatment
When a person develops a foot problem there is often a mechanical fault which is affecting the function of the foot. This could be as simple as a restriction within a joint between 2 bones (there are 26 bones in the foot). A stiff ankle from an old injury or a tight calf muscle can all influence how you use your foot.Osteopathic treatment aims to restore the correct mechanical balance and function of the foot using manipulation, soft tissue, massage and articulatory techniques. Tips on how to manage the condition can be useful and on occasions the osteopath may decide that it is necessary to refer you to another health care professional such as a podiatrist for orthotics (supports for your feet which are worn inside your shoes).