Oh, My aching feet!

Do you have pain in the heel and arch of your foot? Could be you are suffering from plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia is a ligament that extends between your heel bone and your toes. It’s function is to support the arch of your foot.
Straining this ligament as a result of prolonged standing, walking or running, tight muscles or improper foot wear may contribute to these symptoms.
The pain typically presents with arch and or heel pain with activities or at rest. The pain may also be worse with your first step out of bed in the morning. The pain may be dull and achy but also can feel like a burning sensation in the arch of the foot.
Contributing factors include:
– Excessive pronation ( a rolling inward of the feet)
– High arches or flat feet
– Prolonged standing / walking or running on hard surfaces
– Obesity
– Tight achilles / calf muscles
– Shoes that don’t fit correctly or are worn out
Treatment:
The initial treatment involves reducing the inflammation but may not address an important part of the problem. This involves the structural issues leading to damage to the ligament.
– Initial rest may be warranted by changing or decreasing the activity that may be contributing to your problem.
– NSAID ( oral and topical )
– Icing the arch and heel area for 10 mins 2-3 x’s per day
– Injection therapy ( cortisone, prolotherapy and / or PRP)
– PT to stretch the fascia and achilles tendon and strengthening the muscles of the lower leg, ankle and foot.
– Balance exercises to help re-establish proprioception in the foot and ankle
– Orthotics
– Night Splints
– Massage and soft tissue relief – massage helps breakdown scar tissue and adhesions and improve bloodflow to the area which may contribute to the problem and pain of chronic plantar fasciitis.

Occasionally , chronic plantar fascitis may require a surgical proceedure to lyse adhesions. This treatment is generally combined with many of the above noted treatments.
If your feet are hurting you, please visit my office. Proper diagnosis and treatment plan are essential to preventing chronic pain and debility caused by plantar fasciitis.
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