WHAT IS PLANTER FASCIITIS:

Planter fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of foot and connects your heel bone to toes (planter fascia). It is estimated that 1 in 10 people will develop heel pain during their lifetime.

CAUSE:

Planter fascia acts like a shock-absorbing bowstring, supporting the arch in foot. If tension and stress on that bowstring become too great, small tears can arise in the fascia. Repetitive stretching and tearing can cause the fascia to become irritated or inflamed, though in many cases of planter fasciitis.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

When planter fasciitis occurs, the pain is typically sharp and usually unilateral.Heel pain is worsened by bearing weight on the heel after long period of rest. Individuals with planter fasciitis often report their symptoms are most intense during their first steps after getting out of bed or after prolonged of sitting. 

RISK FACTORS:

  • AGE: Most common between the age of 40-60.
  • OBESITY: Extra weight put stress on planter fascia.
  • OCCUPATION: long standing or walking on hard surface can damage planter fascia.
  • FOOT MECHANICS: Being flat-footed, high arch or even having an abnormal pattern of walking  put extra stress on the planter fascia.
  • CERTAIN TYPES OF EXERCISE: Exercise that place a lot of stress on heel and attaches tissue – such as long running, jumping, dancing can contribute to an earlier onset of heel pain.

COMPLICATIONS: 

  • Ignoring planter fasciitis may result in chronic heel pain that hinders our regular activities.
  • Changing the way of walk to minimize planter fasciitis pain might lead to foot, knee, hip or back problems.
  • Surgery performed to treat planter fasciitis, known as a plantar fasciotomy, can also lead to complication.

DO’S AND DON’TS: 

DO’S:

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Stretching of fascia and muscle
  • Use silicon heel pads

DON’TS:

  • Don’t do running or sport activities
  • Don’t push through the pain
  • Don’t go barefoot
  • Don’t assume that you will never get back to exercise again

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Choose supportive shoes (don’t wear worn-out shoes)
  • Change your sport
  • Apply ice
  • Stretch your arches

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CURES PLANTER FASCIITIS:

ULTRASONIC THERAPY:

It is a topological application which helps to reduce the inflammation in the heel area.

 ICE MASSAGE:

This application technique has the added benefit of gently massaging the tissue on the bottom of foot while icing it. The ice bottle massage can provide a gentle stretch to planter fascia, which may help to improve overall mobility in arch and foot.Ice packs can be applied to the bottom of foot for 15-20 minutes for several times a day to control the inflammation.                                

STRETCHING EXERCISE:

  • Calf stretching exercise
  • Planter fascia stretching exercise

 IONTOPHORESIS:

Another treatment technique planter iontophoresis involves applying anti-inflammatory ions topically to the foot and transmitting these ions through the skin with an electric current. It helps to reduce the inflammation.