Plantar Fasciitis or Fasciosis?

Both conditions describe inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects from your heel to the base of your toes. It helps hold the arch of your foot up and absorb shock as you walk or run.

The plantar fascia can become painful for a range of reasons. These can include:

• Having low-arch or high-arch feet
• Wearing unsupportive footwear
• Suddenly increasing activity such as going to the gym or starting a sport
• Trauma to the area
• Hormonal conditions such as thyroid problems or menopause
• Being overweight
• Connective tissue conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

When this tissue gets inflamed it causes pain that ranges from mild to debilitating, known as plantar fasciitis.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis can include:

• Custom orthotics to address biomechanical causes of plantar fasciitis
• Strapping the foot
• Stretches prescribed by your podiatrist
• Massage
• Wearing more supportive footwear

If this pain lasts more than 6 months, this is diagnosed as plantar fasciosis. Plantar fasciosis may also be diagnosed if there is chronic pain without inflammation. Once the standard plantar fasciitis treatments have been exhausted, a more aggressive treatment regime can begin aggressive to break the pain cycle and begin to bring relief. Options include:

• Ultrasound guided injection therapy with corticosteroids or local anaesthetic
• Plantar fasciotomy surgery to release the tension in the tissue
• Shockwave therapy

Book an appointment here for an assessment of your heel pain – no referral required!