Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the underside of the heel. It is also known as 'jogger's heel', as it is often aggravated by exercise, such as jogging.
The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue that runs between the heel and the ball of the foot. In plantar fasciitis, this band of tissue becomes irritated, particularly at the point where it attaches to the heel.
There is recent evidence that suggests plantar fasciitis is caused by degeneration of the fascia. Small tears weaken the band of tissue and cause the pain of plantar fasciitis. This is often age-related, but can also occur in younger people as a result of repetitive strain and/or excessive stretching.
Triggers for plantar fasciitis include:
An irritated plantar fascia causes pain in the heel.
Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:
Symptoms of plantar fasciitis include the following:
A diagnosis can often be made based upon the symptoms and by performing a physical examination of the heel. Imaging tests, such as a X-ray or ultrasound, are rarely used for diagnosis, but can be used to exclude other causes of heel pain.
A scan that uses ionizing radiation beams to create an image of the body’s internal structures.
Resting the heel is important, so limiting activities that aggravate the symptoms is advised. This may include running or walking shortened distances, or even stopping those activities completely in the short-term. An icepack applied to the heel can also be useful in reducing acute pain.
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can also help reduce pain in the short-term, especially when combined with other treatments.
Stretching of the plantar fascia and muscles of the foot and calf are useful when pain does not settle with rest and pain-relief medications. There are several ways of stretching the areas involved and these can be taught by a doctor or physiotherapist. Deep tissue massage can also be helpful in reducing acute pain in some people.
Stretching exercises to relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis.
Foot orthotics are often used to help ease the pain of plantar fasciitis. Orthotics are devices that are inserted into the shoe, which take the pressure of the plantar fascia, usually by raising the heel and enabling the calf to relax. The simplest type of orthotic is called a heel raiser, which is a rubber pad inserted into the heel of the shoe. More complex orthotics involve the whole foot and have to fit completely within the shoe. A person may need to see a podiatrist to have these assessed properly. Further options include night splints, which are specially designed devices worn at night to help prevent the foot from abnormal postures overnight. These can be uncomfortable and as such their use is limited to those suffering from chronic pain. Sometimes a person can be taught ways to tape their foot in order to better support it, but this method is only designed for short-term use as it provides minimal help to resolve the issue.
For severe swelling and pain, an injection of local anesthetic and corticosteroid may be given into the tender area. In most cases, this works quickly to reduce symptoms. These injections are generally limited to only a few times a year, to avoid side effects such as muscle wasting or localized skin discoloration.
If the above measures have not helped resolve the symptoms of plantar fasciitis after six months, then ultrasound therapy or surgery may be tried. Ultrasound therapy, or extracorporeal shock wave therapy, uses sound waves to improve blood flow and aid in healing the degenerated plantar fascia. The beneficial results for this treatment are varied. Surgery, known as plantar fasciotomy, is a procedure whereby a small part of the fascia is removed, which helps relieve tension on the fascia and reduces the pain.
The outlook for plantar fasciitis is generally good, as it tends to heal within a year, without treatment. The above treatment options can resolve the condition much sooner.
A person can help to prevent plantar fasciitis by: