Plantar Fasciitis Highgate
Helping you move with ease, one step at a time.
Heel pain from plantar fasciitis is widespread, particularly among runners and overweight individuals, but no one is immune to this condition.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot, extending from the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation of this tissue leads to plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain.
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 occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be triggered by:
- Excessive use of your feet
- High-impact activities like running, dancing, or aerobics that stress the heel bone
- Overstretching the plantar fascia
- Having a naturally high foot arch
- Flat feet or low arches
- Pregnancy-related changes in foot structure
- Age-related wear and tear, particularly in middle-aged or older adults
- Excess weight placing strain on the feet
- Extended periods of standing or being on your feet
- Tight calf muscles limiting foot flexibility
- Wearing unsupportive footwear with poor arch support or stiff soles
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
Targeted physical therapy that stretches the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia can improve strength in the lower leg and help manage plantar fasciitis.
Night splints
Wearing a splint overnight helps maintain a lengthened position for the plantar fascia, supporting effective stretching of the ligament.
Orthotics
Custom orthotics are tailored to support your arches, reducing plantar fascia strain and enhancing foot stability.
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
Using one of these for a short time can help reduce the pressure on your foot.
Your Plantar Fasciitis Questions Answered
Plantar fasciitis develops due to inflammation of the plantar fascia, causing foot pain when standing after extended rest or after physical exertion.
Pain from plantar fasciitis is commonly felt when taking the first steps in the morning, after long periods of standing, or when transitioning from sitting to standing. The condition may be influenced by your choice of shoes, foot mechanics, and the surfaces you walk or run on.
Additional body weight increases the load on the plantar fascia, worsening plantar fasciitis. Wearing unsupportive shoes, participating in impact-heavy sports, or spending excessive time on your feet can also aggravate symptoms.
If you're experiencing plantar fasciitis, a podiatrist can diagnose and treat the condition effectively.
If plantar fasciitis is left untreated, you may unknowingly adjust your walking pattern to reduce discomfort. Over time, this compensation can lead to pain in other areas, including your legs, knees, hips, and back. In severe cases, untreated plantar fasciitis can result in a plantar rupture, requiring extended rest and recovery.
Simple home treatments, including rest, stretching, massage, and ice application, can help manage plantar fasciitis pain. Holding a cloth-wrapped ice pack over the painful area for 15 minutes multiple times a day can provide effective relief.
Walking may provide short-term relief from stiffness after prolonged rest, but the pain tends to return and intensify 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.