What is plantar heel pain or plantar fasciitis?
A large percentage of the population will at some point in their life time develop plantar heel pain. This disorder is characterised by sharp pain predominantly in the heel and throughout the bottom of the foot. Pain is most acute in the morning with the first steps taken, and often continues throughout the day as a dull ache. Plantar fasciitis is extremely common. Studies show that as many as 10 per cent of people may suffer from this disorder at some point in their life, and as much as 80 per cent of all heel pain cases may result from it.
When the toes bend, as with pushing off while walking, the plantar fascia tightens and raises the arch.
While often found in conjunction with heel spurs, the relationship is unclear, and resolving one will not necessarily resolve the other.
The plantar fascia shown here as the bottom-most red layer
What treatments are available
The specific plantar fasciitis treatment recommended by our podiatrist will depend on your personal circumstances. No two bodies and no two lifestyles are identical, so why should your treatment be? Your gait, your occupation, your activities during the day, the progression of the disorder and your foot shape will all be taken into account to determine the optimum course of action.
Plantar heel pain starts with heel pain. The pain spreads given the connections of the fascia to other structures.
Conservative, minimally-invasive treatments are preferred by our clinic. The majority of patients respond well to non-surgical intervention. Custom made orthotics, special exercises to strengthen surrounding muscles and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (as used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee) have all been successfully deployed in a plurality of cases. Recent studies have shown poor results with corticosteroid injections and ready made insoles.
Latest research links:
Timing of treatment with Shock Wave Therapy
Effectiveness of Shock Wave Therapy compared to other treatments
Book an appointment today
Make the decision to live a better life, free of pain. Contact our clinic today to learn more about the range of services offered, or to book a time with our podiatrists. Reach our clinic in Singapore on +65 6464 8654, or contact our location in Malaysia on +603 7710 5244.
