Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a tough fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the feet which extends from the toes to the heel.

When this tissue becomes inflamed, it is called plantar fasciitis.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis:

• high or low arches
• increasing mileage or intensity  in running
• weight gain
• prolonged standing
• poor foot wear
• tight calf and lower leg muscles
• leg length discrepancy
• foot trauma

Signs and symptoms:

• palpable tender plantar fascia in the midfoot or near the heel
• foot pain and stiffness with weight bearing first thing in the morning or after prolonged sitting
• pain during heel raises or stretching foot (ankle dorsiflexion)

Treatment for plantar fasciitis:
1. anti inflammatory medication – NSAIDS
2. In the morning, before you put weight on the foot, apply a moist heating pad for 20 minutes. Afterwards place a rolling pin on the floor and roll the foot over the pin back and forth for 5-10minutes.  This massages the tendon on the bottom of the foot and promotes circulation.  Do this every morning for 7-10 days.
3.  The heal may also benefit from a steroid injection (see figure 2) if #1 and #2 do not help or do not help enough.  The injection should be given with a lateral heel approach directing the needle toward the source of pain.  Some physician insert the needle directly through the bottom of the heel.  This approach is too painful for most folks.
4.  Night splints help with chronic plantar fasciitis.  They place a prolonged stretch on the tendon.
5. Some people require orthotics (molded shoe inserts).