Plantar Fasciitis Prospect
Helping you take each step with comfort.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Prospect
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 Prospect with plantar fasciitis at SA Running Injury Clinic and treat patients at our two clinics in Eastwood and North Adelaide.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation of this tissue, causing pain, is known as plantar fasciitis.
What are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Stabbing pain in the feet is often felt with the first steps of the day.
- Discomfort in the bottom area of your foot.
- Ongoing heel pain throughout your daily routine.
- Increased discomfort after engaging in physical activity.
- Flexing your foot may increase pain, while pointing your toes down can relieve it.
Causes of Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by:
- Overusing your feet
- Running, dancing, and aerobics put strain on the heel bone, potentially leading to plantar fasciitis.
- Overstretching
- A high arch in your foot
- Low arches
- Pregnancy
- Being middle aged or older
- Being overweight
- Spending prolonged periods on your feet, such as standing
- Tight calf muscles
- Wearing footwear with poor arch support or stiff soles
Improve your quality of life with effective plantar fasciitis treatment at SA Running Injury Clinic.
Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options
Home Treatments
Rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications are generally recommended as the first steps for managing plantar fasciitis.
Physical Therapy
Stretching exercises for the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon through physical therapy can enhance lower leg strength and improve plantar fasciitis.
Night splints
Wearing a splint overnight can keep the plantar fascia stretched, assisting in the lengthening of the ligament.
Orthotics
Orthotics, or custom-fitted arch supports, assist in distributing foot pressure evenly, which helps minimise stress 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 short time can help reduce the pressure on your foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, the ligament at the bottom of your feet, causing pain when standing up after long periods of sitting or physical activity.
Standing up or walking in the morning, standing for extended periods, or rising from sitting can trigger plantar fasciitis pain. Contributing causes include footwear, foot structure, and the surfaces you walk or run on.
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.
Recovery from plantar fasciitis usually takes three to 12 months, depending on your activity levels and any at-home care you are using.
While plantar fasciitis can improve naturally, the recovery process is much slower without proper treatment.
Schedule Your Podiatry Appointment
Foot pain can affect your daily activities, even if you’re not an athlete. If you experience pain at the bottom of your feet, it could be plantar fasciitis, which may worsen without treatment. Book an appointment with our team at SA Running Injury Clinic today.
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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.
Call SA Running Injury Clinic, North Adelaide : 8239 1022
Call SA Running Injury Clinic, Eastwood : 8357 0700
Our clinics in North Adelaide and Eastwood welcomes patents from Prospect and nearby areas.