Plantar Fasciitis Glenside
Guiding you toward better mobility, one step at a time.
One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is often linked to running and excess weight, but it can impact people of all activity levels.
Each foot has a strong band of tissue called the plantar fascia, stretching from the heel bone to the toes. When this tissue becomes irritated and inflamed, it results in plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by:
- Sharp, stabbing foot pain, especially during your first steps in the morning
- Discomfort or aching in the bottom of your foot
- Persistent heel pain that worsens with activity
- Increased pain after physical exertion or extended standing
- Pain that intensifies when flexing your foot and eases when pointing your toes downward
The Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis develops due to inflammation of the plantar fascia, often resulting from:
Find a better quality of life with plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
Most people with plantar fasciitis start by managing their symptoms with rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Physical Therapy
Stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon, combined with strengthening lower leg muscles, can support plantar fasciitis recovery.
Night splints
A night splint holds the plantar fascia in an extended position, encouraging gradual stretching and relief from tightness.
Orthotics
Custom-fitted arch supports, or orthotics, help distribute pressure evenly across your feet, reducing strain on the plantar fascia.
Shock wave therapy
Shock wave therapy uses sound waves targeted at the painful area to promote healing, typically recommended for patients who haven’t found relief with conservative treatments.
Walking boot, cane, or crutches
Short-term use can provide relief by reducing the strain placed on your foot.
Your Plantar Fasciitis Questions Answered
When the plantar fascia, the ligament beneath your foot, becomes inflamed, it results in plantar fasciitis, often leading to pain when getting up after resting or following exercise.
Morning foot pain when standing and walking is a key symptom of plantar fasciitis, though discomfort can also arise after extended standing or getting up from sitting. Footwear, foot structure, and walking or running surfaces all play a role in its onset.
Carrying extra weight puts additional strain on the plantar fascia, intensifying plantar fasciitis pain. Other contributing factors include improper footwear, repetitive high-impact activities, and prolonged standing.
A foot specialist, or podiatrist, is trained to assess and treat plantar fasciitis for long-term relief.
Without treatment, plantar fasciitis can cause you to change how you walk, leading to strain in your legs, knees, hips, and back. Over time, the condition may worsen, potentially resulting in a plantar rupture that requires significant downtime.
Managing plantar fasciitis at home with rest, stretching, massage, and ice packs can ease discomfort. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15 minutes several times a day is a simple yet effective way to relieve pain and inflammation.
Taking a few steps after rest may reduce pain initially, but symptoms typically return and worsen with prolonged activity throughout the day.
Morning pain is a hallmark of plantar fasciitis, but without treatment, it can worsen and persist for longer periods, eventually becoming an all-day issue.
Schedule Your Podiatry Appointment Today
You can schedule an appointment at SA Running Injury Clinic either online or via phone. Please keep in mind that we operate from two locations.
Our clinics in North Adelaide and Eastwood welcomes patents from Walkerville, Unley, Prospect, St Peters, Brompton, Norwood, Thebarton, Mile End, Parkside, Glenside, Fullarton, Frewville, Highgate, Myrtle Bank, Glenunga, and nearby suburbs.