Plantar Heel Pain (Plantar fasciitis)
What is it?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs underneath each foot. It stretches from the back of the heel out towards the toes.
Plantar fascia pain occurs in both athletic and non-athletic populations and although it is seen in all ages.
There are several risk factors which contribute to plantar heel pain:
- Limited ankle movement
- Being overweight
- Running and work-related weight bearing activities
- Long distance walking
- Repeatedly getting in/out of vehicles
Typical symptoms/features
- Pain on the bottom of the foot, often worse at the heel
- Pain with weight-bearing g. standing and walking
- Usually it is worst first thing in the morning and improves with movement
- Pain that is worse after a period of inactivity
Management
- Activity modification and offloading e.g. avoiding prolonged standing or walking
- Heel cups or orthotics
- Pain relief
- Weight loss if overweight or obese
- Please visit feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/healthy-weight to make a self-referral if you would like help with weight management in Suffolk
- Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme
- In cases with severe and/or prolonged symptoms, other options such as shockwave therapy may need to be explored in addition to physiotherapy
Do I need imaging?
Imaging (X-rays or scans) are rarely required to diagnose plantar heel pain.
X-rays and scans are most appropriately used after a serious injury.
