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PLANTAR FASCIATIS (ARCH AND/OR HEEL PAIN)

Plantar fasciatis is the most common ailment that brings people into the doctor’s office or to the Dr. Scholl’s display at the drug store. It is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the broad band of fibrous tissue that connects the heel to the forefoot.

The arch serves as a shock absorber for the rest of the body; each foot bears all of a person’s body weight – one foot at a time – before switching weight bearing over to the other foot. This places a great deal of pressure and strain on the plantar fascia. Over time, without adequate protection, the plantar fascia will become stiff and inflamed and the arch will begin hurting or fall. Another way it affects one is that the plantar fascia pulls at the heel, causing heel pain.

Other names or similar foot conditions:

• Strained arch
• Fallen arch
• Heel spurs

Symptoms:

• “First step pain” – stiffness and pain in the heel or arch (or both) upon taking the first step after sitting or waking the morning, with relief as the foot warms up
• Arch seems to be falling or feels like it

Signs to look for:

• “First step pain”
• Pain in the heel, arch, ankle and/or top of foot

Possible Causes:

• Normal wear and tear over time resulting from not having support under the arch
• Wearing shoes that allow side to side movement
• Overuse - Increase in walking, recreational activities or walking for long periods on flat, hard surfaces

Goals:

• Heal the inflammation
• Restore flexibility to the plantar fascia
• Provide support in the arch
• Shoes wear that does not allow lateral motion at the heel

Solutions:

Arch Supports:

• Bio-Orthotics Winstep or Sundance exercising support with metatarsal lift
• Lower and thinner arch support with longitudinal and metatarsal support, such as the Bio-Orthotics Journey or Silhouette, for use when shoes cannot accommodate the Winstep or Sundance exercising support

• Extra depth shoes with straight last, extended medial counter, firm heel counter, connecting shanks, and rocker soles
• For exercise, wear shoes with titanium springs
• MBT physiological shoe
• Negative heel shoe
• Go barefoot on a minimal basis only

Activities:

• Program for regular stretching of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, Achilles tendon and arch structures
• Rotate weight bearing exercises, such as walking or jogging, with non-weight bearing exercising, such as swimming or bicycling

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