Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis) Treatment

What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis, or also known as heel pain is common in Singapore. It involves an inflammation of a thick band of tissue in your sole that connects your heel bone to your toes. One thing to note is that heel pain is not due to bone spurs. Symptoms The common symptoms of heel pain that patients in Singapore normally will voice out include:

•          The heel pain typically is stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel

•          The pain is usually the worse with the first few steps after awakening

•  The pain is usually worse at the initiation of exercise and after exercise, but not during it.

Risk Factors

• Infrequent intensive exercises in between the long duration of inactivity place intensive stress on the plantar fascia.
• Certain exercises that place a lot of stress on your heel and attached tissue Eg. long-distance running or aerobic dance.
• People with flat foot or those having a high arch may be at risk
• Long hours walking or standing on hard surfaces
• Obesity

DOCTOR’S TREATMENT Injection Therapy

• Anti-inflammatory injections such as cortisone can be injected into the inflamed plantar fascia, reducing swelling and stopping pain.
• In more severe plantar fasciitis, the inflamed tendon can be associated with breaks and tears. PRP (platelets rich plasma) injections are utilized to have more directed healing of the injured tendon.
• Nerve blocks injections help in reducing pain, enabling patients to engage early in rehabilitation and therapy.

Medication Therapy

• Anti-inflammatory pain killers are taken orally to reduce swelling and inflammation of the injured plantar fascia.
• Nerve stabilizing medications reduce pain transmission, giving good relief to morning pain.
• Anti-depressants may be utilized for good muscle relaxation, encouraging better blood circulation to the injured tendon.

PATIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

• The cornerstone of plantar fasciitis treatment is physical therapy and rehabilitation. Once the pain is lessened, the patient needs to engage in weight-bearing exercises.
• Do not wait until the pain is gone before engaging in weight-bearing exercises.
• Active physical therapy of the foot involves jogging, jumping, and dancing.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

• Passive stretches of the sole/foot are helpful for early plantar fasciitis
• During physio, the therapist will stretch the strained fascia with aids and orthosis.· The heel pain typically is stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel