Plantar fasciitis - Heel pain

Plantar Fasciitis aka Heel pain is the most common injury that Podiatrists sees and treats. What is Plantar fasciitis? It is the irritation and symptomatic injury to your plantar fascia which is a connective tissue band that originates at your heel and extending towards to the toes. This fascia is the main supportive structure through your arch whilst you are walking. 

Plantar Fasciitis can be caused by many factors. In most cases of plantar fasciitis patients often have multiple combination of risk factors that leads to injury. Below are some of the most common risk factors :

• Tight calf muscles
• Sudden change or increase in activity level
• Low or high arched feet
• Incorrect footwear
• Worn out footwear 
• Poor biomechanics
• Prolonged standing especially on hard surfaces
• Weight

• Tenderness or pain in the heel with taking steps, usually first thing in the morning or after a period of rest
• Pain can extend into the arch of your foot
• Dull aching, throbbing sensations, sometimes sharp and stabbing
• Heel pain during exercise, rest or when weightbearing

Diagnosis is often through a clinical assessment and biomechanical examination completed by a podiatrist.  Based off this assessment you may/may not be referred for an ultrasound for confirmation. 

• Supportive taping of the foot
• Custom foot orthotics
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Supportive footwear
• Compression sleeves
• Rest and ice
• Dry needling
• Foot massage/rolling
• Possible cortisone injections or surgery in severe cases