Planter Fasciitis - Treatment and Conditions

Question 1

What is Planter Fasciitis?

Answer 1

Most common cause of foot pain in athletes.
Occurs D/T overuse and stress on the planter fascia.
This can cause fatigue and micro-tearing at the Calcaneal attachments.

Question 2

What are the causes for Planter Fasciitis?

Answer 2

Overtraining, poor tech, Running on hard surfaces or prolonged standing or activities that require Planter flexion and at the same time extension of the MTP joints.

Question 3

What activities can cause overuse on the Planter Fascia?

Answer 3

Running and Dancing are prime examples.

Question 4

What are Predisposing factors that can lead to Planter Fasciitis?

Answer 4

Poor biomechanics, Improper footwear, Tight and shortened soleus and gastroc, Weight gain.

Question 5

What are Symptoms of a client having Planter Fasciitis?

Answer 5

The pain range would be mild to severe, initial slow onset with no history or onset.
Pain occurs within the first few steps on non-weight bearing.

Question 6

What happens to the planter fascia over time if left untreated?

Answer 6

The Fascia is unable to repair itself and tears away from the Calacaneal attachment.

Question 7

When does pain lesson and come back with Planter Fasciitis?

Answer 7

It will lesson after 30-45 mins of activity and come back around 2-3 hours of continued activity.

Question 8

When assessing a client with suspected Planter Fasciitis what can you palpate?

Answer 8

Palpation of Anterolateral aspect of the planter surface is painful.
There may be palpable adhesions near the calcaneal attachment and even into the middle of the foot.

Question 9

When assessing a client with planter fasciitis, where is pain reported by the client?

Answer 9

Pain is reported as worse on the “Toe-off” stage of gait.

There may be exseive external rotation of the hip during gait.

Question 10

What does Treatment of Acute Planter Fasciitis include?

Answer 10

Prone, cold hydro to affected fascia.

MLD, Stroking anf gentle mm squeezing on affected foot.

Question 11

What does Treatment of Chronic Planter Fasciitis include?

Answer 11

Prone, Deep moist heat.
Fascial work to the Gastroc and soleus.
Frictions on adhesions in planter fascia, particularly near the calcaneus attachments. (Ice and Stretch after)