Plantar Fasciitis Injuries and Recovery
Plantar fasciitis is a common injury among runners, walkers and hikers. It also affects people who work in standing postures for their living like nurses and lecturers. Patients get foot arch pain and/or heel pain. Morning foot pain is a signature symptom.
Plantar fasciitis is basically an inflammation and subsequent thickening and/or degeneration of the plantar fascia. Plantar fascia is a connective tissue that stretches from the heel to the toes, spanning the arch of the foot. Chronic irritation of the foot arch due to excessive strain is the cause for plantar fasciitis.
Most of the time, the plantar fascia gets arrested or checked with a little rest, arch support and stretching. But, it may become severe for others. It may stop you on your tracks, make you physically unfit for a sports event and drag on for years. Patients with severe plantar fasciitis pain are recommended to consult doctors and follow surgery or physiotherapy treatment as per their advice.
Purpose of physiotherapy treatment for planter fasciitis patients is to
- Reduce inflammation and pain in the heel
- To stretch tight structures and strengthen any weaknesses
- Rehabilitate the sports person to start their normal activities.
While most people recover after physiotherapy treatment, some may need further intervention, for instance corticosteroid injection or surgery, both of which are rare. Like any other joint pains, if you start treatment at the very beginning of noticing the problem, successful resolution will be quicker.
The physiotherapy treatment for planter fasciitis includes following methods.
- Relative rest-running or walking to be reduced or stopped depending on severity.
- Use of orthotics or temporary inserts to footwear
- Stretching and low impact exercises
- Massage, ice
- Soft tissue treatments / electrotherapy
Croydon physiotherapy has long experience of treating planter fasciitis patients and treatment is very reliable.