7/28/2019 Foot Plantar Fasciitis Management

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T.(02) 4954 5330 | F.(02) 4954 5380 | E.info@advancedphysio.com.au | W.www.advancedphysio.com.au

335 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay NSW 2282

The plantar fascia is a type of connective tissue

that provides an arch support for the feet.

Plantar fasciitis is the common term given to

pain arising from this structure from its

attachment to the heel bone or calcaneus.

It is thought that the main cause is excessive

load which results in small micro-tears throughthe tissue. Pain occurs in the area when the

bodys healing response cant keep up with the

degeneration in the tissue. There is sometimes

a bony heel spur that is present on x-ray but this

is not the source of the pain. These bony spurs

occur as a result of the traction of the soft tissue

at its attachment to the heel bone and are

common in people without symptoms. The

reaction of the body to the stress is to lay down

new bone.

Patient Information Sheet

Pain and Symptoms

Risk factors

Diagnosis

There is pain under the heel which is often worse

after walking or running which is typically worse

with the first few steps taken in the morning.

The diagnosis is usually made from the history

and from clinical testing. Further investigations

such as x-ray, MRI and ultrasound can be

undertaken to confirm the diagnosis and to

assess other structures.

Low arches or flat feet. Feet which are

hypermobile.

High arches or rigid feet.

Excessive exercise

Sudden increases in exercise amount

High body weight

3D anatomy images copyright of Primal Pictures Ltd www.primalpictures.com

7/28/2019 Foot Plantar Fasciitis Management

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T.(02) 4954 5330 | F.(02) 4954 5380 | E.info@advancedphysio.com.au | W.www.advancedphysio.com.au

335 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay NSW 2282

Patient Information Sheet

This condition can often take up to 6 months to

fully resolve but will often improve quickly with

treatment.

Treatment Options Include:

Time frame for Recovery:

Orthotics - The aim of the orthotic is to help

maintain the arch height and in so doing

reduce traction on the attachment site of

the plantar fascia and limit how much

tractional force is being transmitted into the

attachment site.

Foot-Wear - The shoe needs to be bothsupportive and provide cushioning, particularly

at the heel. This will also help increase the

effectiveness of the orthotic.

Stretching - This includes both stretching of the

plantar fascia itself and also stretching of any

tight lower limb muscles.

Taping - Taping of the foot will provide short

term relief and will mimic the action of an

orthotic by providing arch support.

Night Splints - In severe cases the use of a night

splint can help. The splint helps maintain the

plantar fascia in a lengthened position and

stops it from contracting over-night. This

overnight contracture is one of the reasons

why this condition is very painful when firstwalking on your feet in the morning.