Plantar fasciitis - symptoms, cause, diagnosis and treatment
Plantar fasciitis is a relatively common problem that causes pain in the sole of the foot on the front of the heel and longitudinal medial arch of the foot. An overload of the fibrous tissue in the sole of the foot that forms the support for the arch of the foot can lead to what we call plantar fasciitis. The condition is also called plantar fasciitis or plantar fasciitis. Here you will find specific exercises against plantar fasciitis.
In most cases, patients can be treated with good effect, depending on how long they have had the pain and so on, but in other cases more active treatment is required such as Shockwave Therapy. We must keep in mind that plantar fasciitis is due to an imbalance between stress and recovery / healing - which has caused damage. Everyone who is affected by plantar fasciitis should therefore take advantage of specially designed plantar fascite compression socks (click here to read more about them - the link opens in a new window), as these provide increased blood circulation, faster lateral separation and decrease in duration - an effective tool for a potentially long-term diagnosis.
Other measures include correcting misalignments in the foot, e.g. due to crooked big toe (hallux valgus) with hallux valgus toe supportand stretching exercises.
OVERVIEW - PLANTS FASCITT
Here you will find a complete overview of in-depth categories and subpages within this theme. Save this URL in your browser or add it to your social media - then you have a good resource for further investigation and knowledge.
- Treatment: How is Plantar Fascitt Treated?
- Diagnosis and Diagnosis: How is the Plantar Fascitt Diagnosis Made?
- Symptoms and Clinical Signs: How to Know if You Have Plantar Fascitis?
- Cause: Why get Plantar Fascitt?
Research has shown that 3-5 treatments with pressure wave may be enough to cause a lasting change in a chronic plantar fascite problem (Rompe et al, 2002). (read more: Pressure wave treatment of plantar fascite) But with more serious problems it may require up to 8-10 treatments.
Diagnosis of plantar fascitis
Summary: The diagnosis of plantar fascitis is made by an authorized clinician undergoing history collection and clinical examination with the patient. The results of this history and clinical examination often provide characteristic answers that are used to make the diagnosis of plantar fascitis. Imaging diagnostics are often not necessary to make this diagnosis due to its characteristic and distinctive presentation.
You can read a lot more about this by clicking the link below.
READ MORE: HOW IS THE DIAGNOSIS PLANT FACCITTED?
Imaging diagnostics study of plantar fascitis
Below you will see various forms of imaging diagnostic images (MRI examination, diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray, etc.) that detect plantar fascitis.
Image: MRI of plantar fascite
MRI imaging is one of the ways to detect plantar fasciitis. X-rays can also be used - then preferably to see a possible heel spurs And diagnostic ultrasound.
MRI of plantar fascite
In the picture we see A) Thickness of plantar fascia. B) Bone marrow edema C) Intrinsic muscular edema.
Image: Ultrasound examination of plantar fascite
In this ultrasound study we see a plantar fascia with plantar fascite (LT) compared to a normal plantar fascia (RT).
Image: X-ray of plantar fascite with heel spurs
Description of X-ray: In the picture we see a clear heel trail. It is suspected that this heel groove has been formed due to a very tight plantar fascia, which over time has led to calcification in the attachment to the calcaneus. This is a condition that often responds well Shockwave Therapy.
This is how plantar fasciitis looks in imaging:
Cause of plantar fascitis
Short summary: The arch of the foot and the associated tendon plate (plantar fascia) on the underside of the foot blade have been overloaded or incorrectly loaded over time. This will create compensation mechanisms in the foot's many structures that include 26 bones with associated joints, myoses / myalgias in the foot muscles, ligaments, tendons and the plantar fascia itself. With such a prolonged load, tendon damage can occur to the plantar fascia itself - often with associated tendonitis. Overload or misalignment can occur for many different reasons such as activity over the foot's endurance, poor footwear or misalignment of the feet. You can read more in-depth information about the cause of this heel injury by clicking on the link below or here .
READ MORE: WHY DO YOU PLANT A FASCITT? WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF PLANT FACCIT?
Shockwave Therapy of plantar fasciitis - Photo Wiki
Symptoms of plantar fascitis
Characteristic symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain in the front edge and on the inside of the heel bone - as well as occasionally towards the sole of the foot. It is also typical that the pain is worst when depressed in the morning. In case of overload, one can also be swollen on the inside of the heel - which can appear as a slight, possibly reddish, swelling. You can read more in-depth information on the symptoms and clinical signs of plantar fasciitis by clicking on the link below or here .
READ MORE: WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF PLANT FACCIT? HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE PLANTED FACTS?
Treatment of plantar fascitis
Plantar fasciitis can be treated with several professional techniques - however Shockwave Therapy (performed by a public health professional such as a chiropractor or manual therapist) is among the most effective. Joint correction of the foot joint with reduced movement is also useful, often combined with trigger point therapy, needle therapy and / or graston of the muscles, tendons and fascia. In addition, can plantar fasciitis compression sock, as well as various tape techniques (such as kinesiotape) are used. Shock absorbing and relieving insoles and spacious shoes can also help.
Self-treatment should always be part of the treatment in the fight against pain. Compression clothing specially designed for plantar fasciitis (as mentioned earlier) and self-massage (eg trigger point ball) as you roll under the foot and regular stretching of the foot blade can stimulate increased blood circulation against dysfunctional tissue and thus help to speed up healing and pain relief. This should be combined with training of the foot blades, thighs and hips to cushion the strain on the heel.
READ MORE: HOW PLANTS ARE TREATED? AND WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FORM?
Studies / research on pressure wave treatment of plantar fascitis
Several large studies have proven that pressure wave treatment can have a good effect when it comes to pain relief and functional improvement - especially when looking at long-term results. In fact, larger studies (including Hammer et al, 2002 and Ogden et al, 2002) have shown that as many as 80-88% of those treated experience a reduction in heel pain with such treatment. Another study that looked at the long-term effect (Weil et al, 2010) showed that 75-87.5% were satisfied with the result 9 years after treatment. They thus concluded that pressure waves also have a good effect over time.
Recommended products for pain relief
Read more: Biofreeze (Cold / cryotherapy)
Action against plantar fascite
The following is recommended exercises against plantar fascite. Stretching of the leg muscles is also important, as one tight gastrocsoleus can aggravate the problem. See the list of good exercises linked below.
Exercises / training: 4 Exercises against Plantar Fasciitis
Exercises / training: 5 Exercises against heel spur
Does the article not answer your question? Use the comment field and ask us your question - then we will try to give you a thorough answer within 24 hours.
Also read:
Heel support in the treatment of plantar fasciitis
- Pressure wave treatment of plantar fascite
- Exercises and stretching of plantar fascia heel pain
Self-treatment?
Self-help against plantar fasciitis
Some of the products that can help with this diagnosis are hallux valgus support og compression socks. The former works by making the load from the foot more accurate - which in turn leads to less error loading under the foot and heel. Compression socks work in that they increase blood circulation in the lower leg and foot - which in turn results in faster healing and improved recovery.
RELATED PRODUCT / SELF-HELP: - Hallux Valgus Support
Plagued with hallux valgus (crooked big toe)? This can lead to incorrect loading in the foot and plantar fascia. This support can help you correct misalignments in the foot caused by crooked big toe. Click on the image or here to read more about this action (opens in a new window)
RELATED PRODUCT / SELF-HELP: - Plantarfasciit compression sock
In modern times, compression socks have been developed that are specially designed to lead to increased healing of plantar fasciitis by purposefully providing better blood circulation and nutrients towards the injury itself. This type of sock is recommended among clinicians and therapists to shorten the time you are affected by this disorder - because as you know, plantar fasciitis can be a very long-term diagnosis (up to 2 years without treatment and self-measures).
Click on the picture or here to read more about this action (opens in a new window)
NEXT PAGE: Pressure wave therapy - something for your plantar fasciitis?
Click on the image above to proceed to the next page.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to prevent plantar fascitis?
- To avoid or prevent plantar fasciitis, avoid overloading the plantar fascia (the thick, fibrous foot tissue under the foot). The plantar fascia provides support for the arch of the foot, and is thus a very important structure for weight load when you stand and walk. A study (Kitaoka et al, 1994) showed that the plantar fascia carries as much as 14% of body weight when you walk - this is a lot when you know how many structures there are in the foot, ankle, knee and so on.
We recommend otherwise exercises and stretching as seen here to strengthen the arch of the foot and keep the plantar fascia in optimal condition. These exercises can be done by anyone - both those with proven plantar fasciitis and those who simply want to avoid and get it.
Source:
HB Kitaoka, ZP Luo, ES Growney, LJ Berglund and KN An (October 1994). «Material properties of the plantar aponeurosis». Foot & ankle international 15 ( PMID 7834064.
Hammer DS, Rupp S, Kreutz A, Pape D, Kohn D, Seil R. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis. Foot Ankle Int 2002; 23 (4): 309-13.
Ogden JA, Alvarez RG, Marlow M. Shockwave therapy for chronic proximal plantar fasciitis: a meta-analysis. Foot Ankle Int. 2002; 23(4):301-8.
Weil L Jr., et al. Long-term results of extracorporeal shockwave treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. Presented at the International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment Annual Meeting, Chicago, June 2010.
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Common searches and misspellings: Plantar fascite, plantar fascite, plantar fascite, plantar fascite
Hello. Have been going for treatment for plantar fasciitis for a goood while no. Got it so abruptly after a long walk, was fine when I finished and sat in the chair, could not walk on the heel when I woke up.
Started with acupuncture first, it helped a bit, but it always came back after a few days. By chance, the therapist saw that I pulled down the arch on the foot in question and recommended getting soles, etc. Started with a new therapist who has shown that the foot I have the inflammation in is 8mm longer than the other. So to compensate with this, I have recently stepped down the arc. Have got soles and used these for a couple of months. It has helped a lot but the pain usually always comes back.
In addition, I have started to get other pains in the soles of my feet when I am out walking. When I walk normally, it usually goes well for a while, but if I walk for a long time without a break, or walk fast, it is just as if the entire outside of the soles of the feet, from the little toe to the whole, falls asleep and becomes painful / very uncomfortable. When I then walk without soles, indoors or outdoors barefoot, it is only under the arch of the foot I have inflammation in that it becomes a lid. Somehow I can not walk so I stretch my big toe.
Starting to lose some faith that I will ever be able to move again, and could really need to get well so I could get out to jog and be in motion reading and ENJOY life 🙂
Can I retrain the bow? How do I proceed? I have not gone like this forever. Is 34 years old, but has only been bothered for the last six months / year.
Hi Stine Mari,
- We are looking for more information about your problem
The recommended treatment for plantar fasciitis is pressure wave treatment - you should be able to expect an effect on 4-5 treatments. Contact us if you need a recommendation regarding a therapist near you. We also wonder if an imaging examination has been performed in the form of MRI or diagnostic ultrasound? Many plantar fasciitis diagnoses are not 'inflammation', but rather tendon injuries - for example in the attachment just in front of the heel / calcaneus. There may also be a tear there.
Also, how long have you had the problem - exactly? Unfortunately, plantar fasciitis can be a long-term and troublesome problem - but getting pressure wave treatment against plantar fasciitis will normally be able to cut down on the duration of the problem. And other measures and exercises (see further down in the answer) will also be able to help you.
Exercises against plantar fasciitis
By the way, have you looked at the exercises we have prescribed for this diagnosis? You can see them here og here . In many cases, you are also advised against taking painkillers, as this can actually slow down healing in an already small vascular area. We also advise you to use compression socks similar to these to increase blood circulation in the legs.
- Recommended measures and procurement
If you really want to get a good stretch on the arch of the foot, as well as increase the chance of faster recovery, we recommend a so-called "night boot" (click here to read more about it) which puts a stretch on the foot and thus ensures increased circulation and healing .
No images have been taken in the form of MRI or ultrasound of the injury. I have for as long as I can remember had troubled heels when I get up in the morning.
But the actual injury I am struggling with now I have had for 4-5 months. Can not remember exactly which day, but was to the doctor with the pain just before Easter this year. There she concluded with plantar fasciitis and recommended acupuncture and manual therapy. Since I then do not like the manual therapists here at Nordfjordeid, I chose a physiotherapist who is good with needles. Was very good in the foot a few days after each treatment but it always came back. When I came for an hour and stood and talked, she looked down at my foot and saw that I was only standing on the inside of my foot and pulling down the arch. She then recommended going to someone who is a specialist on foot, to get a sole. There he looked at my foot and all the way up to my hips. It turns out that the pelvis is about 8mm skewed, ie that the left foot is 8mm longer than the right. I should then have tried last year to make the left foot shorter by going down the arch so the feet are the same length. I have had soles built up for shoes and sandals, and taught myself to tape my foot. The other treatment is stretching of the soles of the feet and in addition to stretching and stretching of both parts.
Now I have not been on treatment for about 3-4 weeks. The pain that I experience as a plantar fascia I only feel when I walk without shoes or inside. When I wear shoes with the soles, it more or less disappears. Then the pain comes with the foot falling asleep / lazing away instead and it hurts. Feels almost like the foot is swelling. Got compression "socks" but think they are a bit disgusting to wear at times when they go so far forward that they cover the little toe it gets squeezed.
The actual damage came when I one weekend I was active with logging in the woods on Saturday. Noticed in the evening that the heel was a bit stiff to walk on. Likewise on Sunday mornings but passed quickly. Later on Sunday I went for a 12km long hike, at various paces and up hills and down hills. When I then came in again and sat down for a little minute to drink a glass of water, and then to shake myself up again, I had zero chance of standing on my heels. Lame for 2 days before I got a doctor's appointment and then to get treatment. Then the pain was 10. With treatment they quickly went down to 5. With the soles they have gone down to 1-3, but then obviously with the side effect that the outside of the soles of the feet is lazy away.
What's up? For many reasons, I really need this to be good. The 2 biggest are then hopefully a new job soon, and due to little movement opportunities last month, and sedentary job I have put on and am far too heavy. But due to stupid feet I can not do anything about it :(.
Help!!
Hey,
Then we recommend that you get a referral to establish that it is actually plantar fasciitis and not a tear. Then when the diagnosis is made, we recommend pressure wave treatment - this is the so-called "gold standard" for this type of problem, and studies have shown that you should have a good effect on 4-5 treatments with this. A chiropractor, since you did not like the manual therapists there, can also help you with foot misalignments plus pressure wave therapy. That occupational group is publicly authorized.
We recommend that you try swimming to lose weight - excellent training that does not put a shock load on the heel and foot. Elliptical machine can also work well.
Did you also see the "night boot" we recommended?
Pressure waves are something many physiotherapists have stopped (hopefully soon everyone will stop), since it has no proven effect. Therefore, I think you are giving her incredibly bad advice.
Hey!
I'm a 28 year old girl. In April 2015, I got pain under my left foot. I do not remember injuring my foot in any way (but that may well be the case). It started with pain under my foot which was worst as I pulled out of bed in the morning. There was stabbing pain under the foot and the foot / ankle felt stiff. It was fine to walk on foot, but if I sat on the couch for a while, the first steps were very painful when I moved again. I contacted a physiotherapist who thought it was Plantar fasciitis. I therefore received pressure wave treatment (8-10 treatments).
I did not get any better from the treatment and the physiotherapist wanted a chiropractor to examine the foot. The chiropractor examined and found nothing special except that the foot / ankle was somewhat stiff. The stabbing pain was still there. He found a muscle knot in a muscle in his leg. He loosened it with a needle and thought that when I now walked normally again, the pain under my foot would disappear.
I did not get any better underfoot. The chiropractor examined the foot again and also looked at the jaw. He thought I had a crooked bite. He thought this could have an effect on the muscles down the left side. I was therefore sent to the dentist to get a brace. I used the bite splint for about a month and still did not get any better under the foot. I also now began to ache up my leg, in my knee, on the back of my thigh and at night. (ca November 2015)
The chiropractor examined me again and found clonus on the left leg Achilles reflex. Normal balance and power. He sent me for an MRI of the head and lower back. No MRI of the foot has been taken. The pictures were normal. I have also been to a specialist in neurophysiology, where he found nothing abnormal in nerves or muscles.
I have also taken blood samples from a GP and all blood samples are normal except for Lyme disease, which has a limit value. The GP believes that it is not Lyme disease, since the pain has been there for so long, then the blood test should be positive)
At the moment I still have stabbing pain under my left foot, pain in my foot, leg, knee, nates, left chest and out in the left arm. I feel like the whole left side is affected. The more I move the more I ache afterwards. It's okay to move normally, but I ache afterwards. I have problems with short walks of 1-2 km, as I seem more than usual afterwards and mostly at night afterwards. When I wake up in the morning I feel that the whole left side is stiff.
I have an appointment with a neurologist this autumn. I think this is a long wait and want a clarification of what the pain may be due to as soon as possible, as it is physically and mentally tiring not to know what the pain is due to. And since I'm not getting better. In addition, I have now spent a lot of money on a physiotherapist, chiropractor and doctor without feeling that I have come any way.
I am now 8 weeks pregnant. I'm not sure what to do next. The pain in the body goes beyond the quality of life as I think about it a lot and am tired in the body. I'm not sure what to do now. Whether I should get the GP to refer me to an orthopedist or other specialist, or whether I should go privately to some specialists. Have thought about MRI of the foot / knee, but not sure if they perform it on pregnant women. I therefore want some tips and recommendations for the way forward.
Hope you can look at the matter confidentially, thank you in advance!
Regards Eline
Hey!
I have struggled with foot pain in both feet for three years, with great deterioration last year. Have tried «everything». Cast footbeds, painkillers, correct shoes (overpronated + hollow foot), physio (ART), pressure wave treatment, relief, stretching, etc. Was operated on with proximal medial gastroctenotomy almost two weeks ago, when the orthopedist believes the pain is due to tight gastrocnemius. Had high fever for the first 3-4 days, then began to strain to the pain threshold. Now goes with a crutch as support or completely without, as the pain allows it. Started with stretching and stretching exercises already on the 1st postoperative day. The muscle now feels more elastic, but the pain is not gone under the foot! When will this disappear, if the operation is successful?
I am 100% on sick leave after the operation. Have already had a graded sick leave for two months pending surgery when I could not endure the pain anymore. Have a job where I walk and stand all day. I wonder when I can return to work? I was on sick leave for two weeks after the operation, but at the moment I do not have a chance to return to my normal work tasks!
In addition, the operator has set up a control hour in three months where we will discuss whether we will operate on the other leg. Why would he wait so long? Will I not see result until in such a long time? Ideally, I would have surgery on my other leg soon so I can return to work as soon as possible. Can not imagine lying at home on the couch for three months and then further time after the next operation ..
Hey Guro,
This sounded very frustrating. The surgeon will probably wait for the next operation for mainly three reasons:
1) To see if the first one was successful (it's too early to say anything at your current time)
2) To give you a chance to regain function on one leg before operating on the other
3) There is no guarantee that surgical procedures and operations are successful - damage / scar tissue can form in the area which can lead to you again experiencing the same pain as you had before the procedure
How long it will take is unfortunately completely impossible to say. I have seen those who are perfectly fine after three months, but I have also seen people who struggle with the same pain for 2-3 years after the operation - where the surgeons said it was "successful".
You probably have to - unfortunately - lubricate yourself with patience (and the Voltaren?) And wait for the 3 months it is until your control hour. Frustrating, but that's probably the best way out - the surgeon knows best.
Sincerely,
Thomas
Thanks for the quick and comprehensive answer! All the uncertainty around this makes the pain more difficult to deal with, but of course I trust the operator, and will follow the instructions I receive. Gonna lubricate me with a good dose of patience every morning going forward.
Regards Guro
Good luck, Guro. We wish you a really good improvement in the future.