Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, or plantar aponeurosis, is an injury caused by stretching or rupture of the fascia. The fascia, or aponeurosis, is a membrane of fibrous tissue that runs from the heel to the toes and maintains the arch of the foot.
It’s a very common pain that can be cured quite easily by wearing custom-made foot orthotics. However, if not treated in time, plantar fasciitis can develop into heel spur, often referred to as Lenoir’s spur.
At Laboratoire Orthopédique Jérôme Marier, the treatment of plantar fasciitis is one of our specialties.
Early symptoms of plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is characterized by a number of key symptoms. Here are the most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis:
- The appearance of a sharp pain under the foot, often in the heel area, which worsens when the foot is at rest after a long period. Plantar fasciitis-induced pain can occur all along the fascia, but is often localized to the calcaneus, the heel bone.
- Pain can be described as a burning, stinging or stabbing sensation in the heel.
- Stiffness in the foot and ankle, or a feeling of tension on the outside of the foot.
- Slight swelling of the heel may occur.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is to seek a specialist diagnosis to be sure you’re actually suffering from this disorder.
How to recognize plantar fasciitis?
The professional will start by asking you questions about your symptoms, their origin and intensity. We may also ask about your medical history and physical activities. If, during the clinical assessment, palpation of the aponeurosis is painful, particularly when flexing to reveal it, the diagnosis can be made quickly.
We also carry out foot movement and flexibility tests to assess range of motion and determine whether certain movements exacerbate pain.
Do you feel any pain ?
Make an appointment with us if you suffer from heel pain, or if your doctor has prescribed a pair of foot orthotics.
Plantar fasciitis risk factors
There are many causes of plantar fasciitis, which is why this condition is so common. Here are the main causes of plantar fasciitis, as well as the various risk factors for this pathology:
- Certain genetic predispositions, such as flat or hollow feet, or inflammatory arthritis
- Anatomical factors, such as excessive pronation (inward rotation of the foot) or supination (outward rotation of the foot), can increase the risk of plantar fasciitis
- Unprepared sports and/or lack of rest between xercise phases
- Certain sports, such as running, skiing, tennis, etc., put excessive pressure on the plantar ligament
- Wearing ill-fitting or poor-quality shoes, rigid soles or high heels
- Excess weight induced by fatness or obesity puts extra pressure on the feet, which can increase stress on the ligament.
What can you do to help plantar fasciitis: treatment
Plantar fasciitis can be treated by wearing orthotics and orthopedic shoes.
After a consultation during which we analyze your needs, we hand-make your custom foot orthotics. Our orthotics for plantar fasciitis give your feet good support while their structure is being strengthened. We also offer night orthotics and suggest wearing orthopedic shoes to relieve pain.
Do orthotics help plantar fasciitis ?
Yes. Plantar orthotics are very important for plantar fasciitis, as they correct excessive pronation of the foot, absorb shocks during walking and physical activity, and compensate for biomechanical imbalances. By stabilizing the foot, they promote better alignment and proper distribution of forces, reducing tension on the plantar ligament.
This relieves pain, prevents repetitive trauma and helps maintain better walking mechanics, which is essential for healing and preventing relapses of plantar fasciitis.
In addition to orthotics, we provide a series of exercises for plantar fasciitis to be performed regularly to release tension under the foot and speed up treatment and healing.
What if plantar fasciitis doesn’t heal ?
After six months, if the plantar fasciitis has not healed despite our orthotists‘ careful exercises, shock wave therapy can be applied.
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis explained
If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to another problem: the formation of a heel spur.
A heel spur is a bony outgrowth that forms where the fascia meets the heel bone. This outgrowth forms to enable the bone to support the tension of the tendon. The foot affected by plantar fasciitis produces excess calcium, which eventually accumulates to form the heel spur.
Use plantar fasciitis orthotics from Laboratoire Orthopédique Jérôme Marier to feel better
The treatment of plantar fasciitis inevitably involves wearing foot orthotics or orthopedic shoes. These devices enable you to relieve pain and regain comfort on a daily basis.
At Laboratoire Orthopédique Jérôme Marier, our orthotists offer custom-made devices adapted to your feet and your needs. Treat your plantar fasciitis in the best possible way with the right device.
At Laboratoire Orthopédique, we offer effective insoles for plantar fasciitis in order to prevent the appearance of a heel spur
Make an appointment with us if you suffer from heel pain, or if your doctor has prescribed a pair of foot orthotics.