Plantar fasciitis (plant-ah-fash-ee-eye-tis) is sometimes called plantar fasciopathy ( but thats far too technical to go into!)
It’s the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis will usually get better by itself within six to 12 months. But there are several things you can do to reduce your pain and help it to heal.
WHO: Plantar fasciitis is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Around one in three people who get it have it in both feet.
CAUSE: Being overweight or obese
- Having high arches in your feet or being flat-footed.
- Regular high-impact activities such as running, jumping or dancing.
- Running or standing on hard ground increases your risk.
- Spending a lot of time on your feet
- Wearing worn-out trainers that no longer absorb shock very well.
- Being pregnant – hormones associated with your pregnancy can cause your ligaments to relax. Along with the temporary weight gain, this can lead to plantar fasciitis.
SYMPTOMS: The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in your heel or sometimes in the arch of your foot.
- The pain is often worse when you first stand up and start walking after you’ve been in bed or sitting for a long time.
- Being on your feet all day, walking, standing or running for a long time, can also bring on the pain.
- The pain may be sharp at first and gradually lessens as you start to move around
DIAGNOSIS: We are usually able to diagnose plantar fasciitis by asking about symptoms and examining your foot. We will ask about your general health and activity, and when your symptoms usually come on.
To examine your foot, we will feel and press on different areas to see exactly where your pain is coming from. We may also ask you to walk on your toes or stand to see if this brings on any pain.
TREATMENT:
Initially we usually recommend self-help measures and stretching exercises first. We can go through these with you to make sure you’re doing them correctly.
We will also check your footwear and what supports you may be using in your shoes. There are some taping techniques that can help.
Shockwave therapy has been shown to be useful in the treatment of plantar fasciitis – Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) involves passing shockwaves through the affected area. ESWT is thought to be a safe alternative to steroid injections and you may find it helpful.
MORE INFO:
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/muscles-bones-joints/plantar-fasciitis
