Plantar fasciitis is a common foot ailment that can cause discomfort and pain in the heel area. It occurs when the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, experiences small tears or inflammation. These micro tears can be caused by overuse, wearing improper footwear, or engaging in activities that put excessive strain on the feet. The condition typically leads to a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, especially when walking or standing for long periods of time. It is important to seek treatment and implement preventive measures to alleviate the symptoms and promote healing.
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition that can cause severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, physiotherapists are highly trained professionals who can provide effective treatment and address the root cause of this condition. One of the main treatment methods used by physiotherapists is the use of custom orthotics. These are specially designed shoe inserts that provide additional support to the foot, helping to alleviate pain and promote healing. In addition to orthotics, physiotherapists may also use cortisone injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Another effective technique used by physiotherapists is high energy shock wave therapy. This non-invasive therapy involves using high-intensity sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and reduce pain. Overall, physiotherapy offers a holistic approach to treating plantar fasciitis, focusing on not just alleviating pain, but also addressing the underlying issues to promote long-term recovery.
Custom Orthotics
When it comes to custom orthotics, no two pairs are the same. These specially designed inserts are crafted to perfectly fit the unique contours of each individual’s feet. Made with top-quality materials, they are meticulously created to mold and adapt to the specific shape and size of the wearer’s feet. Such attention to detail ensures optimal comfort and support for a personalized orthotic experience.
Custom Orthotics can help with a range of foot and leg conditions. In particular, they’re often recommended as part of an effective treatment regime for heel pain, arthritis and knee/lower back discomfort.
These devices may also help ease pain elsewhere on your body.
Most individuals looking for custom orthotics should begin the process by scheduling an initial consultation with Dr. Petkov at Premier Podiatry.
At that appointment, we will perform a thorough assessment of your feet and legs to ascertain whether custom orthotics may provide any beneficial properties.
If custom orthotics are determined to be your ideal treatment option, we’ll take precise digital measurements of both feet and legs in order to create an orthotic mold for production in our lab; usually this process takes around one month until your orthotics arrive!
Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections can provide temporary relief while also enabling clients to begin appropriate physical therapy treatments. However, using them alone without adequate therapy could have detrimental consequences.
Cortisone injections can be combined with conservative management strategies like stretching and resting to quickly and effectively relieve severe pain in cases. Studies have confirmed this strategy’s efficacy as it quickly reduces discomfort levels in severe cases.
Your doctor may insert a needle into your joint or tendon and inject a small dose of corticosteroid and local anesthetic into it to temporarily alleviate pain; however, its effectiveness quickly fades as your body metabolizes the corticosteroid and your joint or tendon degrades over time.
High Energy Shock Wave Therapy
Shockwave therapy has quickly gained in popularity as a non-invasive solution to treating chronic musculoskeletal ailments, including plantar fasciitis. When applied directly to areas of inflammation, its shockwaves produce localized inflammation while simultaneously increasing blood flow and thus speeding healing of damaged tissue.
Shockwaves also activate stem cells and growth factors to aid with tissue and bone repairs, and promote an increase in blood flow that assists with breaking down any calcification in damaged areas.
Typically, three to five treatments will be necessary with five days between sessions. After treatment has concluded, patients can resume normal activities like walking and work without restrictions or discomfort.
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy uses your body’s natural healing processes to address musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Concentrated platelets help blood clot properly while simultaneously releasing growth factors to increase healthy cell production in your body.
Your doctor will collect a small sample of blood and run it through a centrifuge to isolate and concentrate its platelets before injecting this treatment directly into an injured area, which will kickstart and strengthen its natural healing response.
PRP therapy has been used successfully to treat various injuries, such as rotator cuff tears and Achilles tendon ruptures. Furthermore, its application has proven its ability to both alleviate pain and speed recovery for tennis elbow, patellar tendonitis and jumper’s knee conditions.
Plantar fasciitis is a common source of pain and disability that may resist conservative management measures. Corticosteroid injections may provide temporary relief, though their side effects such as atrophy and inflammation could worsen over time.
You might also like to read:
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis and Nordic Walking
Plantar Fasciitis and Iontophoresis
