Plantar fasciopathy is the medical word that is inflammation of plantar fascia which causes pain in heel of the foot (under the arch). I thought this happens as we get older but actually I am suffering from this condition.
Plantar fascia
Plantar fascia is a band of strong and thick connective tissue that runs from heel (calcaneus) to toes on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fascia works to create arch of the foot.
Aetiology
- Spend a lot of time on the feet (might tend to lean forward)
- Pregnancy due to swelling
- Obesity
- Age (mid-older)
- Improper shoes and poor arch support
- Flat feet and high arches
- Lack of stretch and tight calf muscle such as gastrocnemius and soleus
Signs and symptoms
- Pain in heel when standing long time
- Pain when wake up in the morning and eases
- During or after activity
- Swelling or inflammation of the heel
- Contracture in calf muscle such as gastrocnemius and soleus
Treatment
- Weight management
- Ice
- Wear proper and supportive shoes
- Try not to stand on feet long time
- Modify the training intensity
- Stretch calf muscles (Back leg of the knee straight for gastrocnemius and knee bent for soleus)
- Taping
- Medication
- Night splints to wear during sleep
It is important for practitioners to look at causes and what muscles are causing problem.
The gastrocnemius and soleus muscles which known as calf muscles attach to calcaneus.
These muscles as well as muscles on the sole of the foot such as Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor hallucis and medial head of Quadratus Plante need to be worked on.
If the causes are flat feet or high arches occurred by tight muscles such as peroneus brevis, longus, tibialis posterior and anterior which make foot arch, these muscles need to be checked.
Reference
- Mohammad Ali Tahririan, Mehdi Motififard, Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi and Babak Siavashi Plantar fasciitis 2012 J Res Med Sci 17 (8): 799-804
- Cole C, Seto C, Gazewood J. Plantar fasciitis: evidence-based review of diagnosis and therapy Am Fam Physician 2005;72: 2237-42
- Health direct Plantar fasciitis https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/plantar-fasciitis
