What is Plantar Fasciopathy?

Previously known as Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciopathy is a common condition affecting the heel and inner arch of the foot. The Plantar fascia is a long, thick, fibrous structure that attaches from the heel bone, the calcaneus, running along the sole of the foot to join the ligaments of the toes. Some of the key functions of this structure is to support the arches of the foot, and shock absorption as we walk or run. 

Plantar Fasciopathy is typically an overuse injury. It is often described as a sharp or stabbing pain under the heel of the foot. This pain is often worse in the morning when you first get up, or after getting up from sitting or resting for a long period of time.  

Treatment of Plantar Fasciopathy is unique to each patient and its best to consult your physiotherapist find the right treatment plan for you. Some techniques that may be used to help support of the arch include taping and foot orthotics. Your physiotherapist may also provide some manual therapy such as massage or mobilisation of the surrounding joints to help reduce pain and increase movement. Activity modifications can also play an important role to ensure you are not continually overloading this structure. High load strength training has also been shown to help reduce symptoms of Plantar Fasciopathy and may be incorporated as part of your rehabilitation program. 

By Christina Pellegrino, Phsiotherapy Student at Exercise Thought

References:

Rathleff, M. S., Mølgaard, C. M., Fredberg, U., Kaalund, S., Andersen, K. B., Jensen, T. T., Aaskov, S., & Olesen, J. L. (2015). High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 25(3), e292–e300. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12313

Verbruggen, L. A., Thompson, M. M., & Durall, C. J. (2018). The Effectiveness of Low-Dye Taping in Reducing Pain Associated With Plantar Fasciitis. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 27(1), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2016-0030

Yelverton, C., Rama, S., & Zipfel, B. (2019). Manual therapy interventions in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: A comparison of three approaches. Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 24, 1244. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v24i0.1244