The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue in the foot, similar to a ligament that is
vulnerable to injury. It is attached to the bottom of the heel and traverses all the way out the arch to the toes. On initial weightbearing it becomes taut causing pain when you first step down after rest. The higher the arch the more prone your are to plantar fasciitis (see diagrams top of page). Pain when you first step down in the morning orafter sitting or driving is most commonly reported. Plantar Fasciitis is the most common source of heel pain.

Shoe choice can make a difference in preventing the injury. Flip-flops, thin soled shoes, flexible shoes and high heels canaggravate the heel pain. Squatting down,stairs, ladders, and inclines will also tighten the plantar fascia and may be the inciting factor that lead to pain in the heel or arch.

When walking a lot or standing for a long time on hard surfaces, you should be wearing shoes with support. An OTC or Custom Orthotic may decrease the tension on the plantar fascia reducing pain and may prevent recurrance. Cushioning alone will not alleviate the symptoms.

A good light weight jogging style shoe, which is stiff and only bends at the ball of the foot, may help prevent injury especially with a Custom Orthotic,

85% of patients will get better without surgery!!!

Treatment

Often one (1) long-acting cortisone shot along with supporting the foot through weekly
taping, will take tension off the plantar fascia and the condition will improve in 3 weeks. During this time a Custom Orthotic is frquenty manufactured to reduce tension on the Plantar Fascia after taping.

If improvement is less than 70%, a 2nd cortisone shot is utilized. Varying dosages and different cortisones are utilized depending on your individual response. If there is still no greater improvement 3 weeks later(rare15%), a final 3rd shot is administered.

If the tapings alone reduced the tension on the plantar fascia causing reduced pain, then an Custom Foot Orthotics should work and prevent recurrence. The orthotics go inside the shoes and are fabricated by taking an impression of the feet which are then sent to a lab specializing in custom foot orthotics.

MORE PICTURE AND INFORMATION USE LINK:  

HEEL SPURS:   http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=heel+spurs&qs=SC&sk=SC1&FORM=QBIR&pq=heel%20spurr&sc=8-10&sp=2&qs=SC&sk=SC1  



PLANTAR FASCIITIS:   http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=plantar%20fasciitis&qs=IM&form=QBIR&pq=planter%20fac&sc=8-11&sp=1&sk=