PLANTAR FASCIITIS
By
Sai Kumar Patel
BPT 3rd year
INTRODUCTION
● Plantar fasciitis is one of the
most common causes of heel
pain.
● Structure of foot allows to sustain
the large weight bearing stress
under a variety of surface and
activities .
DEFINITION
● Plantar fasciitis is a painful
condition caused by
inflammation of Plantar fascia.
Anatomy :-
● Plantar fascia is a dense , fibrous Connective tissue
structure originating from the medial tuberosity of the
calcaneus.
● The actual purpose of Plantar fascia is :-
■ Support for the arch
■ Act as shock absorber
■ Dynamic function during gait
Epidemiology/Incidence:-
● Most common in sports that involve , long distance walking,
dancers , tennis players, basket ball players.
● Non-athelets whose occupation requires prolong weight
bearing.
Etiology :-
1. Overweight
2. Running on Hard surface
3. Pesplanus , pescavus ( congenital problem)
4. Improper foot wear
5. Decreased First MTP Joint extension
6. Heel pronation
7. Prolonged standing
8. Poor intrinsic muscle strength
9. Tibialis posterior weakness
Pathophysiology:-
Plantar fasciitis injury :-
● Repetitive impact on the feet for long time cause flexor
Muscles/tendons to become short and tight.
● Micro tearing at the point of attachment cause
progressive scarring of tissue,
inflammation and pain.
● Over a period of time heel spur
may develop.
Clinical Features :-
● Pain at base of heel
● Pain severe on getting out bed /mornings & in the
beginning of a run .
● Tenderness bottom of foot ,
burning pain , often sharp pain
● Swelling of bottom of foot
● Limp may be present
Differential diagnosis:-
● Plantar fasciitis is most common cause of chronic
plantar heel pain there are multiple differential
diagnosis :
■ plantar fascia rupture
■ Heel fat pad syndrome
■ Calcaneal stress fracture
■ Calcaneal bursitis
■ Achilles tendonitis
Plantar fascia
rupture
Heel fat pad syndrome
Achillis tendonitis
Calcaneal stress fracture Calcaneal bursitis
Investigation :-
● X-rays
● MRI
MANAGEMENT :-
■ Conservative management
■ Surgical management
CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT :-
● Anti inflammatory drugs , cortisone
injections
● NSAIDS
○ IBUPROFEN
○ NAPROXEN
■ Medical management:-
● Surgical release with plantar fasciotomy: done
open or arthroscopically
● Surgical release with plantar fasciotomy and
distal tarsal tunnel
Surgical management :-
PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT :-
Subjective assessment :-
■ Demographic data/patient profile:-
● Name :-
● Age :- PF is most common between the ages of 40
& 60 years old
● Gender:-
● Occupation:-
Assessment :-
Chief complaints:-
● Pain at the bottom of heel
● Pain can be dull or sharp
● Pain is usually worse on getting out bed .
● Pain site :- Inferomedial heel pain
● Depth :- deep
● Onset :- gradual & insidious
● Severity :- unbearable , moderate
Aggravating factors:-
● Exercises such as running .
● Excessive pronation .
● Rest
Relieving factors:-
Past history :-
● Related to area of complaint.
● Whether the patient met with trauma .
Objective assessment:-
1. Swelling :- At the bottom of heel
2. Colour changes :- redness
3. Posture :- poor posture
4. Attitude of limb :- foot is overpronated
■ On observation
● Temperature :- warmth
● Swelling
● Tenderness:- Anterior medial heel
On palpation:-
On Examination :-
● Pain reproduced by palpating the plantar medial
calcaneal tubercle at the site of the plantar fascial
insertion on the heel bone .
● Weight-bearing is difficult ,& swelling and
ecchymosis in the plantar aspect of foot
● Windlass test
● Squeeze test
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT:-
● SHORT TERM GOALS
○ To reduce pain
○ To reduce inflammation
○ To reduce swelling
○ To reduce tenderness
Cryotherapy:-
● Apply ice pack
● Foot massage
Electrotherapy modalities :-
● Ultrasound therapy
● Phonophoresis
● Contrast bath
- Talocrural joint posterior glide
- Subtalar joint lateral glide ,distraction
Manual therapy:-
Plantarfasciitis Home Exercise Program
Therapeutic exercises:-
● Stretching exercises
● Strengthening exercises
Stretching exercises:-
Calf muscle stretching
Plantar fascia stretch
Strengthening exercises:-
Exercise to control excessive pronation
● Improve Tibialis posterior strength
● Improve ankle plantar flexor strength ( heel raise )
● Improve intrinsic foot muscle strength
Improve Tibialis posterior strength
Improve intrinsic foot muscle strength
● Night splints :-
■ Maintain ankle in neutral position and toes in
slight extension
Orthotic devices :-
● Heel cuffs
● Viscous elastic heel pad
● Accomdative inlays
■ Home program should be
prescribed and follow up of patient
is done for every 2 weeks .
Thank you

Planter fasciatis .pptx