Plantar Fasciitis
Comprehensive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment in Canberra – Belconnen, Dickson and Surrounds
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain that we see at the CBR Podiatry clinic. Our highly experienced podiatrist, Nick Cotton, specialises in heel pain and plantar fasciitis treatment from our foot care clinic in O’Connor, North Canberra.
The plantar fascia is a very important structure which is located on the bottom of the foot. In terms of its form and function, it sits somewhere between a ligament and a tendon. It has many vital functions, and when it’s not working as it should, the consequences can be felt in numerous areas.
The plantar fascia has an essential role to play, including:
- Supporting the arch of the foot.
- Supporting other tissues (sharing the load).
- Providing sensory feedback (increasing awareness of where your feet are in space and to the ground). In this way, it can aid in stability and balance.
- Acting like a windlass (a windlass is used to move heavy objects by pulling a rope/cable around a cylindrical object). The windlass mechanism of the foot is the plantar fascia winding around your big toe joint. The windlass mechanism helps to increase the arch of your foot.
- Absorbing and releasing elastic strain during running.
- Reducing loads in the ball of your foot. It does this by pushing your toes into the ground (without you realising) and so spreads the load under your foot.
- Storing approximately half the Achilles tendon’s energy, dissipating forces through the foot.
What are the Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?
It has long been thought that increased tensile loads of the plantar fascia cause plantar fasciitis/plantar fasciopathy. However, many other factors have been linked to plantar fasciitis. A selection of the more common causes include:
- Abnormal forces. Not only tensile loads but also excessive shear and compression forces
- Low arches
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Tight calf muscles (may occur with increased external rotation of limb). Tight calf muscles cause your midfoot to be pushed upwards by the ground, and this increases the load on the plantar fascia
- Tight hamstrings
- Ageing can cause the quality of the tissues to decrease and they become stiffer
Decreased motion at your big toe joint – this can put extra strain on the plantar fascia - Increased ground reaction forces – these are the forces caused by the ground as your weight goes through your foot. Think of it like an opposite force coming back from the ground
- Your occupation may put you at increased risk of plantar heel pain
- If the fatty pad under your heel is unable to dissipate stresses, the stress can be transferred to the origin of your plantar fascia
- Muscle weakness and tightness
- Biomechanical abnormalities
- There may be a complex interplay between the above and other intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
What’s Involved in Plantar Fasciitis Treatment at CBR Podiatry?
Plantar fasciitis assessment and treatment are essential if you’re experiencing heel pain that is causing you discomfort or interfering with your everyday life. If your heel pain isn’t resolving, book an appointment with CBR Podiatry today and visit our North Canberra podiatry clinic for a biomechanical assessment. We’ll investigate the cause of the pain and provide you with a diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan.
