Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick, fibrous band of tissue that reaches from the heel to the toes, supporting the muscles of the bottom of the foot. “Plantar” refers to the bottom of the foot; “fascia” is supportive tissue. When the plantar fascia becomes overly stretched, tiny tears can riddle its surface. The band of fascia can ultimately swell and become quite painful. While some people have attributed this type of pain to bony growths called heel spurs, it’s now believed that heel spurs are usually just a coincidental finding in people with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the long, flat ligament on the bottom of the foot (plantar fascia) stretches irregularly and develops small tears that may cause the ligament to become inflamed. It causes heel pain, which can become long-lasting. Plantar fasciitis is the result of repeated stress on the foot that may be caused by normal aging or being overweight.

Other causes of plantar fasciitis include

• Activities such as running and jumping, which increase weight and stress on the foot.
• Foot conditions, such as having high arches, flat feet, or tight calf muscles or heel tendons, or walking with an inward twist or roll of the foot (pronation). The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp or knifelike heel pain that usually occurs when a person gets up in the morning and takes the first few steps. The pain also may occur when the person stands up after sitting for a period of time. Home treatment, such as rest, ice, strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, and orthotic devices, may relieve symptoms. A doctor may recommend medication, splints, surgery, or physical therapy.

What Causes It?

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia is overly stretched. A number of factors can contribute to this. While men can get plantar fasciitis, it is more common in women. You’re also more likely to suffer from this condition as you age or if you:

• Are overweight.
• Take up a new form of exercise or suddenly increase the intensity of your exercise
• Are on your feet for several hours each day.
• Have other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).
• Tend to wear high-heeled shoes, and then switch abruptly to flat shoes.
• Wear shoes that are worn out, with weak arch supports and thin soles.
• Have flat feet or an unusually high arch.
• Have legs of uneven lengths or an abnormal walk or foot position.
• Have tight achilles tendons, or “heel cords.”

Goals Of Treatment

The goals of treatment for plantar fasciitis are to:

• Relieve inflammation and pain in the heel.
• Allow small tears in the plantar fascia ligament to heal.
• Improve strength and flexibility and correct foot problems such as pronation so that you don’t stress the plantar fascia ligament.
• Allow you to resume your normal activities.

About 8 in 10 people recover completely within a year. Out of 100 people with plantar fasciitis, about 95 are able to relieve their heel pain with nonsurgical treatments. Only about 5 in 100 need surgery. Treatment that you start when you first notice symptoms is more successful and takes less time than treatment that is delayed.

ErgoJoy therapeutic inserts will assist in exercising the feet, increasing the flexibility by massaging the plantar fascia and muscles and in the feet as you walk, in a gradual and CONSISTENT FASHION and much like a custom orthotic the glycerin will fill in the areas in which you need it the most giving you the support,comfort, and relief you need.

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