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Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot problems seen by the medical professional. The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue in the arch which extends from the heel to the ball of the foot.
The plantar fascia is responsible for maintiaining the arch of the foot and thus serves as the foot's primary shock absorber.
As the foot's primary shock absorber, it is prone to tears by:
overexertion
structural deformity
trauma
Pain may be present in
the arch of the foot but is most common in the heel area where the plantar
fascia is tearing away from the heel bone. The pain is usually worse
first thing in the morning with the first few steps.
A "heel spur " may also develop where the plantar fascia is tearing away from the heel bone. The heel spur however is not the problem but merely a symptom of plantar fasciitis.
Short term treatment may include anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, taping or cortisone injections.
Orthotics remain the best treatment for this very painful condition. Orthotics correct the structural deformity responsible for the plantar fasciitis and essentially serve as "surrogate" shock absorbers to the feet.
Orthotics should be supportive
yet soft to cushion the plantar fascia and aid in its function.
on.
