Plantar Fasciitis

Causes

Your plantar fascia tissue is shaped like a bowstring and supports the arch of your foot to provide shock absorption when you walk. However, excessive stresses on this band of tissue can cause small tears in it. Continued tension and tearing could result in inflammation or irritation, though the causes of most cases of plantar fasciitis remain unclear.

A 2019 study suggests that some cases of this condition may involve degeneration of the tissue rather than inflammation.

Although you may develop plantar fasciitis without any obvious cause, some factors could make you susceptible to this condition, include:

• Your age: This condition is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Type of exercise: Certain activities like long-distance running, aerobic dance, and ballet can contribute to the occurrence of plantar fasciitis since they can put excessive stress on your feet.
• Mechanics of your feet:If you have an abnormal style of walking, a high arch or flat feet, you could damage your plantar fascia since they affect how your body weight is distributed.
• Obesity: Any excess pounds increase the stress on your feet and plantar fascia. 
• A job that keeps you on your feet: If you are in an occupation like teaching or factory work where you spend most of your work hours standing on a hard surface or walking, you could damage your plantar fascia.

Symptoms

The major symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain on the bottom of your heel or the arch of your foot. This pain is normally worse in the morning after you get up or when you take the first few steps after a period of being seated. Although the pain will normally subside after you spend some time walking, too much time on your feet could cause the pain to return. If untreated, the condition can become worse with time.

Clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis symptoms is based on physical examination and your medical history. Your doctor will locate the areas of tenderness and determine whether plantar fasciitis is the reason for your discomfort or if the pain is due to another issue, such as a stress fracture.

Treatment

Home remedies like icing and rest, the use of braces, and over-the-counter arch supports and anti-inflammatory medication are the first-line treatments for plantar fasciitis. In a few extreme cases, a corticosteroid may have to be injected by your doctor directly into the damaged ligament to ease the pain.

Maintaining good flexibility throughout the inter-connective chain of the lower leg, including the ankle, Achilles tendon, and calf muscles are the best way to prevent plantar fasciitis. Still, it’s also part of a solid plantar fasciitis treatment plan.

If you are suffering from heel pain, see our plantar fasciitis exercises page for more information or try the Medi-Dyne’s 2-Step solution for the treatment of plantar fasciitis and the products below that help you to recover from the effects of this condition:

Immediate Relief

Support and Cushion 

• Tuli's® The X Brace® – The X Brace's unique design provides the same benefits of professional taping without all the time and tape.
• Tuli's® Plantar Fasciitis Insoles – A full length premium arch support design specifically for plantar fasciitis for men and women.

★★★★★ 5 Star Review

The best insoles yet.
"I gotta say, I was desperate when I found these insoles. I suffer from plantars fasciitis and work 10+ hour shifts in a warehouse and I'm on my feet 95% of my shift so I was in constant agony with the Dr. Scholl's insoles I was using. So when I came across these, of course I was hoping and wishing that they'd help and I'm so incredibly happy I ordered them! It took a couple of days for my feet to almost fully stop aching and throbbing but I literally have almost no pain at all now. I just can't believe it! I am so eternally grateful for this company to have made this for us. Thank you so much for these insoles, they really made a difference in my life!!! I absolutely recommend them to everyone suffering from terrible foot pain 😃" - Vanessa I.

• Tuli’s® Gaitors 3/4 Length Insoles – Gaitors insoles provide the user with superior arch support and shock absorption in order to experience pain relief. Light-weight ultra-thin carbon fiber orthotic delivers shock absorption and superior arch support. Reduces stress on the plantar fascia by absorbing shock from heel strikes. Relieves pain by delivering superior arch support that won’t crowd your shoes and can be worn in all shoes.
• Tuli’s® Heavy Duty Heel Cups™ – Heavy Duty Heel Cups can be worn in athletic shoes, making them the perfect solution for plantar fasciitis during workouts. They offer protection and shock absorption with every step.  These are podiatrist developed heel cups and provide relief by cradling and cushioning the heel bone. They absorb shock and return impact energy just like the system naturally found in your feet.

 

Long Term Healing

Stretch & Massage 

• ProStretch Plus® Adjustable Calf and Foot Stretcher – The ProStretch Plus increases flexibility and range of motion in the plantar fascia, Achilles and calf muscles with a deep, pain-relieving stretch. ProStretch Plus has been proven to provide a deep stretch that increases flexibility along the entire inter-connective chain, delivering the long-term flexibility needed for a lasting plantar fasciitis treatment.
• ProStretch® Footy Massage Ball - Features tiny knobs that connect deeply with the plantar fascia to provide relief for both, muscle tightness and soreness.

 

If you suffer from pain in your heel, visit Medi-Dyne to view our extensive selection of plantar fasciitis products.