Plantar Fasciitis

This is one of the causes of heel pain. Deep inside the sole of the foot there is a flat sheet of connective tissue (called the "plantar fascia"), which helps to approximate the forefoot to the heel. With prolonged standing the plantar fascia can get inflamed and degenerative changes can take place close to the insertion of the plantar fascia near the heel bone.

This leads to heel and foot pain and discomfort. This is usually associated with a heel cord contracture. At night the foot is usually plantar flexed (toe pointed downwards) and this aggravates the heel cord contracture. When the toes are bent upwards (dorsiflexed), the pain of plantar's fasciitis is worsened. This is one of the diagnostic signs.

There is no connection between flat foot and plantar's fasciitis, they are independent conditions. Plantar fasciitis treatment consists of stretching exercises of the heel cord to improve postural factors. Any repetitive loading stress of the foot needs to be avoided such as running or prolonged standing. Plantar fasciitis shoes and plantar fasciitis night splints might help. Surgery for plantar fasciitis is indicated in less than 5% of cases and would consist of a plantar fascia release. Fitted orthotic devices may be needed to redistribute some of the forces from the plantar fascia (Ref.3) thus helping with the heel pain and foot heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will control pain. This is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 8) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 5.

2. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 270.

3. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/

4. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 60, p.487.

8. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: Nov. 15, 2008