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Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Singapore
Are you suffering from persistent heel pain?
Pain in the heel or along the inner arch of the foot can be the result of plantar fasciitis, also known as bone spur or heel spur.
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes. The plantar fascia is responsible for maintaining your foot's arch.
In the majority of cases, plantar fasciitis only affects one foot. That said, about a third of all patients have problems with both feet.
A painful heel may be easy to ignore in the beginning, in the hopes that the pain will disappear.
However, in contrast to many other musculoskeletal problems, plantar fasciitis normally does not recover on its own over time, as walking is a vital aspect of everyday life. This may further aggravate your condition, leading to chronic heel pain which might require surgery to treat.
Don't wait for your heel pain to worsen. Worried that you might be developing plantar fasciitis?
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Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is typically caused by mechanical overstretching of the plantar fascia.
Those who are still active above their 30s are at the greatest risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Additionally, the illness is more prevalent in women than men.
Other common causes include:
- Prolonged walking, prolonged standing, and long-distance running
- Having flat feet or high arches
- Having tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon
- Being obese
- Wearing footwear that is not appropriate for your foot type
Signs & Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is ‘first step pain’, which is a sharp pain that occurs when you take your first steps in the morning or start walking again after resting.
The pain may be accompanied by:
- Heel tenderness
- Difficulty raising your toes off the floor
- Swelling of the foot
- Pain while flexing
- Burning or tingling sensation in feet
Achieve freedom from heel pain with custom, non-surgical options at Dr.Foot Podiatry Clinic!
A podiatrist can aid in the management of Plantar Fasciitis
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a multidisciplinary therapeutic method that has applications in orthopedics, podiatry, sports medicine, and other fields.
Shockwave therapy involves delivering a series of low-frequency, high-energy sound waves to particular trigger points and soft tissues linked with subacute, sub chronic, and chronic conditions.
This energy encourages the regeneration and repair of damaged tissues associated with plantar fasciitis.
How Shockwave Therapy Helps
- Promotes the development of new blood vessels
- Reduces inflammation
- Prevention of cell death
- Regenerates damaged tissues and nerves
Photobiomodulation Therapy (Low-Level Laser Therapy)
Also known as cold laser treatment, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a technique that uses low amounts of light to stimulate tissue healing and pain relief in a wide range of soft tissue injuries and disorders.
Different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are delivered directly to a specified location. The light is subsequently absorbed by the bodily tissue. The injured cells respond to the red and near-infrared light with a physiological response that promotes regeneration.
How Photobiomodulation Therapy Helps
- Increases cell regeneration
- Increases microcirculation
- Enhances vascular neoformation
- Speeds up collagen production
- Decreases soft tissue degeneration of the muscle, fascia, ligament, and cartilage
Medically Customized Foot Orthotics (Insoles)
Custom orthotics are foot supports that are made to support problem areas in your feet. Insoles can reduce heel discomfort, correct toe joint deformities, and even elevate the arch of flat feet.
Customization is crucial when it comes to orthotics. Custom orthotics, unlike mass-produced, generic shoe inserts, are made to fit your specific foot shape and type perfectly. When properly customised, insoles can aid in shock absorption and reduce the tension forces acting within the plantar fascia during weight-bearing activities.
However, if the insole is too stiff or has too high an arch, it may further irritate your plantar fascia or create arch instability.
How Medically-Customised Insoles Help
- Provides appropriate support for your feet
- Prevents reoccurrence of heel pain
- Improves posture and balance
- Being able to walk farther or stand without pain for longer periods of time
- Reduced lower back pain
- Prevents calluses, corns, and bunions
Getting a Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis at Dr.Foot Podiatry Clinic
Is your chronic heel pain starting to feel unbearable? Perhaps you have sought treatment before, but were not able to see results.
No matter the reason, Dr.Foot Podiatry Clinic is here to guide you through your persistent pain with our educative care and efficient podiatric treatments.
Consultation
Each 1.5-hour consultation begins with history taking by our expert podiatrist. This is where we delve into your symptoms, underlying causes and other possible factors to determine the most likely cause of your heel pain.
Diagnosis
Following that, a physical examination and a diagnostic ultrasound will be carried out to confirm your condition.
Ultrasound imaging is preferred as the plantar fascia is easily visualised, similar to superficial tendons. It is a useful diagnostic modality for plantar fasciitis as it provides real-time dynamic visualisation while being non-invasive, inexpensive and radiation-free.
You most likely have plantar fasciitis if you present with:
- Chronic heel pain for more than 3 months
- The 'first-step' pain characteristic
- Heel pad tenderness during the examination
- A plantar fascia more than 4.0mm thick on ultrasound imaging.
Management
Upon diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, we begin customizing your management plan. We will educate you about your condition and field any questions or concerns you may have.
Then, we will elaborate on our management options, which include Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and medically-customized insoles.
The most appropriate strategies will be chosen to aid in the management of your condition, helping you relieve pain and achieve your health goals efficiently.
Recovery
We begin prescribing personalised rehabilitative activities once your condition begins to improve.
Also known as physical therapy, these exercises will help you strengthen the muscles that are impaired and preserve the range of motion. This may include weight-bearing and stretching exercises.
Your rehabilitation will be aided by sticking to these exercises, and the likelihood of plantar fasciitis reoccurring will be reduced.
Prevention
You will also be educated about the possible risk factors and causes of your plantar fasciitis, along with the ways to reduce the relapse of your condition.
Pain relief begins at Dr Foot Podiatry Clinic.
Our podiatry clinic offers a range of pain-free and effective modalities that have been beneficial for many patients in managing their conditions.
We combine advanced technology for plantar fasciitis management with modern podiatric and rehabilitation techniques to ensure the best possible recovery for you.
Experience relief from heel pain and work towards achieving your recovery goals with us!