What can cause plantar fascia pain?
Plantar fasciitis or plantar fascia pain is discomfort in the bottom of your heel. It stems from the plantar fascia which is a thick, weblike ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. The plantar fascia supports the arch of your foot and helps you walk. It’s a really easy structure to view under ultrasound.
How do I know if I have plantar fascia problems?
Unfortunately, this painful condition is one of the most common orthopedic complaints. This is often down to that fact that the plantar fascia ligaments experience a lot of wear and tear in your daily life – especially so if you’re more active or on your feet more than most. Normally, these ligaments act as shock absorbers, supporting the arch of the foot but too much pressure on your feet can damage or tear the ligaments. The plantar fascia becomes inflamed, and it’s the inflammation, degeneration of the tissue and microdamage that causes heel pain and stiffness.
The most common complaint of people with plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of the heel. Symptoms generally don’t come on overnight but instead, develop gradually over time. It usually impacts just one foot, but it can affect both feet. The type of pain people experience does very with some people describing a dull sensation at the heel and others experience a sharp pain. Additionally, some people will feel a burning or ache on the bottom of the foot extending outward from the heel.
Symptoms are generally present upon each step in the morning, or after you’ve been sitting or lying down for a little while. Climbing stairs can also be difficult due to heel stiffness. After prolonged activity, either from exercise or standing for a sustained period of time, the pain can flare up due to increased inflammation and overuse. More often than not, the pain isn’t felt during the activity but rather just after stopping or the following day.
Treatment Options:
Our experienced podiatry team will assess your foot during an initial consultation and provide you with an appropriate management plan which may include:
- Padding and Strapping
- Injections
- Orthotics
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
- Strength and conditioning programme
- Medical insoles
- Rehabilitation – South West Podiatry utilise online rehabilitation software
Learn more about Shockwave Therapy to resolve plantar fasciitis:
Clinic locations:
Appointments are available at all clinical sites *On-site diagnostic ultrasound is available at Earlsfield and Maidenhead clinical locations.
How to book:
Click the following link to schedule your consultation online 24/7: BOOK ONLINE. Alternatively, speak to our friendly booking team between 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday: 020 7164 6607
Insurance and Fee’s:
We accept most major private medical insurance companies including BUPA, Vitality, WPA, Cigna, AVIVA and Simply Health. A full list of our consultation fee’s including self-pay can be found here: Insurance and Fee’s. Our Podiatry team are health care professional council registered, meaning they are required to maintain professional standards and continued professional development. As an organisation we have invested in the latest diagnostic technology in order to help our podiatry team, help you. We have onsite diagnostic ultrasound available at Maidenhead and Earlsfield clinics. Infra-red pressure analysis available at Maidenhead and Earlsfield clinics with treadmill examinations.
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