Plantar fasciitis
What is plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a connective tissue band that sits under the foot. The band attaches to the heel bone (calcaneus) and runs forward towards the toes, absorbing much of the force when loaded. When loaded, it is important that the plantar fascia is strong enough to prevent it from suffering from overuse injuries. These injuries most often occur at the attachment point in the heel bone, and you suffer from plantar fasciitis. When jumping from a high height, you can get injuries further forward in the plantar fascia.
What is a heel spur?
On the heel bone (calcaneus) at the attachment of the plantar fascia and muscles, a calcium deposit can form and it is called a heel spur. Most often this is a result of long-term and heavy load. You can have a heel spur without having any problems and most of the time it is not the cause of the problem itself and therefore does not need to be treated.
Why do people get plantar fasciitis and heel spurs?
When walking and running, the foot and plantar fascia are stressed. For example, if you have increased the distance/pace when walking or running, added jumping to your training and do not let your foot get used to it, there is a risk that small injuries to the plantar fascia will gradually occur. But even jobs that involve a lot of standing/walking on hard surfaces can cause these problems. If you have pain in your heel, you may have suffered from plantar fasciitis or a so-called heel spur. If you do not take the symptoms seriously, there is a risk that the problems will worsen and become chronic. We physiotherapists at Alta Vita Physiotherapy have extensive experience working with plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis
Morning stiffness and marked pain on the underside of the heel when standing up in the morning or when getting up after sitting for a long time, which subsides after a while.
More or less pain during exertion such as standing, walking and running.
Increased pain after exertion and you may also have pain at rest.
Diagnosing plantar fasciitis
Diagnosis is made after a medical history and examination. Ultrasound diagnostics can be performed to confirm the diagnosis and provide information on the extent of the damage.
Other possible diagnoses are:
Damaged heel pad. In order to make this diagnosis, an ultrasound examination must be performed.
Entrapment of nerves on the inside of the foot
Treatment of plantar fasciitis
If you don't wait too long before seeking help, the prognosis for recovery is good. We physiotherapists treat all patients individually depending on the examination findings. Common measures include taping or trying out anatomical shoe inserts and home training programs with eccentric training to increase load tolerance in the plantar fascia. Radial shock wave therapy, which has an excellent effect on plantar fasciitis, is always included in the treatment. If you are a runner, a medical running analysis can be carried out to see how you load your foot when you run.
Plantar fasciitis can also be spelled with other spellings such as plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciitis.
