Assessing The Cause of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is pain along the bottom of the foot caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia connective tissue. Chronic cases often involve a resultant heel spur increasing related calcaneal pain.
Patients frequently report pain worse in the mornings with their first few steps out of bed. This complaint is most commonly resulting from the excessive inflammation at the calcaneal attachment point of the plantar fascia.
Body habitus is a possible cause of plantar fasciitis in overweight or obese patients as well as pregnant women who gain weight at a rapid pace. Added weight on the feet will stress the ligamentous and tendinous structures through all weightbearing activities.
Likewise, repetitive micro-trauma such as running, standing or jumping can create similar stress forces on the feet.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
Gait assessment and foot examination are critical diagnostic tools in plantar fasciitis.
Overpronation during stance phase gait causes repetitive lengthening of the entire foot structure.
The Windlass Effect response of the plantar fascia then causes repetitive contracture of the plantar fascia in its attempt to correct the biomechanical fault. This cycle of dysfunction stresses the plantar fascia causing inflammation and pain.
Treatment programs for the condition normally involve stretching and strengthening exercises such as wall stretches or stair stretches. These are recommended to correct the weakness of the foot muscles and to increase flexibility of the calf muscles.
Arch taping is another highly recommended form of treatment which helps in restricting the stretching of the plantar fascia ligament.
Custom orthotics help to control overpronation, increase shock absorption and correct foot position, reducing the arch strain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Copyright 2016 MASS4D® All rights reserved.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
Also in Clinicians Blog
Pilates for Posture Improvement
Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome
Repetitive plantarflexion can lead to pain and mechanical limitation in the posterior ankle joint which is known as posterior ankle impingement syndrome. This pathology commonly occurs in ballet dancers and football players.
Treating Os Peroneum Syndrome
Medical Disclaimer:
The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.
MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc. All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.
Sign up for free exercises, stretching, medical news and everything good for your feet
