What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is an injury common to people involved with sports, particularly those who like to run.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that is typically worse in the morning with the first few steps that you take, or after sitting, standing or walking.  It usually starts with a dull intermittent pain in the heel which often progresses to a sharp persistent pain.

The cause of the pain may originate from where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone, or anywhere along the thick fibrous tissue that extends from the heel to the toes.  The problem begins to occur when repeated stress is applied to the tissue as in running.  The tension results in an inflamed condition of the plantar fascia with subsequent pain and discomfort.

Treatment

Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis and strains of the calf muscles are difficult to treat and frequently involve rehabilitation for several months.   Daily use of a night splint from minutes to several hours augments formal therapy and continues the rehabilitation while at home.  After recovery, the splint prevents recurrent strains and maintains lower extremity flexibility, especially in athletes.  Other uses of a night splint include post-operative contractures or stiffness.