Plantar Fasciitis Highgate
Guiding you towards better movement, step by step.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Highgate
Often caused by running and excess weight, plantar fasciitis is a common heel pain condition that can impact people of all activity levels.
We often see patients from Highgate with plantar fasciitis at SA Running Injury Clinic and treat patients at our two clinics.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia, a thick tissue band running along the bottom of the foot, connects the heel bone to the toes. When it becomes inflamed and painful, it is referred to as plantar fasciitis.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Sharp pain in your feet, typically felt with the first steps in the morning.
- Painfelt along the bottom of your foot.
- Ongoing heel pain throughout your daily routine.
- Pain that tends to intensify following physical activity.
- Pain that intensifies when flexing your foot and eases when pointing your toes downward.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which may occur due to:
- Overusing your feet
- Stress on the heel bone from physical activities like running, dancing, and aerobics may result in plantar fasciitis.
- Overstretching
- A high arch in your foot
- Low arches
- Pregnancy
- Being middle aged or older
- Being overweight
- Extended time spent standing or being on your feet
- Tight calf muscles
- Wearing footwear with poor arch support or stiff soles
Enhance your quality of life with professional plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
The initial treatment for plantar fasciitis often involves rest, icing, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focusing on stretching the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon can help strengthen lower leg muscles and alleviate symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Night splints
Wearing a splint overnight can keep the plantar fascia stretched, assisting in the lengthening of the ligament.
Orthotics
Custom-fitted arch supports, or orthotics, help distribute pressure evenly across the feet, reducing strain on the plantar fascia.
Shock wave therapy
Sound waves are used in shock wave therapy to help heal the painful area, typically after other conservative treatments have not been successful.
Walking boot, cane, or crutches
Using a walking boot, cane, or crutches for a brief period can lessen the pressure placed on your foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
The condition known as plantar fasciitis happens when the plantar fascia, a ligament at the bottom of your feet, becomes inflamed, causing pain after sitting or physical activity.
Pain from plantar fasciitis may occur when standing or walking in the morning, after standing for long periods, or when rising from a seated position. Factors that contribute include shoe choice, foot structure, and walking or running surfaces.
Excess body weight can exacerbate plantar fasciitis by placing additional pressure on the plantar fascia. Poorly fitting shoes, high-impact sports, and prolonged standing can also worsen the condition.
Plantar fasciitis can be managed by seeing a podiatrist, a healthcare professional specialising in foot care.
Untreated plantar fasciitis can lead to changes in your walking pattern, which may cause pain in other parts of the body like the legs, knees, hips, and back. It can also cause a plantar rupture, necessitating extended rest.
Home treatments like resting, stretching, massage, and using ice packs can offer quick relief. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the painful area for 15 minutes several times daily can be an effective treatment.
Plantar fasciitis can occur gradually or suddenly.
Pain from sitting or lying down can be temporarily relieved by walking, but it often returns and becomes more intense later in the day.
Plantar fasciitis usually causes the most pain in the morning, and if not treated, the pain can last longer, potentially becoming a constant issue throughout the day.
The recovery time for plantar fasciitis can range from three to 12 months, influenced by your activity levels and the effectiveness of any at-home treatments.
Plantar fasciitis may heal on its own, but the process generally takes much longer without treatment.
Book Your Podiatry Appointment
Foot pain, even if you're not an athlete, can disrupt daily activities. If you're feeling pain at the bottom of your feet, it may be plantar fasciitis, which can worsen if untreated. Reach out to our team at SA Running Injury Clinic to book your appointment for Adelaide plantar fasciitis care.
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Appointments at SA Running Injury Clinic can be booked online or by phone. Please be aware that we have two clinic locations.
We welcome patents from Eastwood, North Adelaide, Walkerville, Parkside, Norwood, Glenside, Prospect, Unley, St Peters, Burnside, Brompton, Thebarton, Mile End, Myrtle Bank, Fullarton, Highgate, Glenunga and nearby areas.