Plantar fasciitis is a pain in the bottom of your heel. The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. It helps you walk by supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock. This ligament experiences a lot of wear and tear during daily life.
What are the symptoms?
- dull or sharp pain at the bottom of the heel or at the bottom mid-foot area
- can affect one or both feet
- pain is usually worse in the morning or after having a rest
- the feeling of a bruised heel
- feeling as if you have stepped on a stone or have a rock in your shoe
Testing and diagnosis
A biomechanical assessment of your gait, including your hips, knees and ankle joints, will reveal any underlying alignment issue. Ultrasound and X-ray are useful tools but may not always show the extent of your condition.
Our podiatrist is highly skilled at examining the structures of your feet and will exam your heel bone and surrounding structures for signs of injury, inflammation, and instability. Sometimes the plantar foot nerve is compressed, and palpation of the fascia produces sharp pain along the sole of the foot or into the Achilles. There may also be a reduction in ankle mobility, and patients will limp.
Treatment
At Fairfield Sports Podiatry, Daniel has a range of treatments modalities available depending on the degree of complexity of your plantar fasciitis.
After confirming the right diagnosis, the fascia needs to be supported with a rigid sports tape. Cold compress is great to address inflammation. Good footwear and orthotic arch supports are useful to reduce pressure and strain of the fascia.
Call us to book an appointment with Daniel and get your foot problem treated today.