By: Ehren Allen, PT/Certified Manual Therapist
This article will focus on explaining what a plantar fascia tear is, what this injury means to you and most importantly what effective treatment options are. Before we look at tackling the problem of a plantar fasciitis tear lets look at exactly what the plantar fascia is.
The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of tissue that starts at the heel and runs to the ball of the foot. This band of tissue is elastic in nature and helps to support the arch and bones of the foot. Basically the plantar fascia gives stability to the foot.
Image of The Best Treatment for a Plantar Fascia TearBasically plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the bands of tissue and a tear is actually damage or small breaks in the fibers of the fascia plane.
The primary symptom of Plantar Fasciitis tear is heel pain. There may be pain in the ball of the footor pain along the arch of the foot. This pain is usually intense and localized. The pain is more prevalent in the A.M. after getting up and also after getting up from sitting for awhile.
In a more acute stage there may actually be swelling at the bottom of the foot.
Usually the diagnosis can be correctly accomplished with just a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes and X-Ray or MRI may be required to rule out another problem that may be occurring in the foot.
Your first step is to reduce pain and inflammation. Initially, ice should be applied daily during this phase of recovery. JOI Rehab offers a vast array of treatment intervention to calm down the inflammation.
These modalities are Ultrasound and medical laser which are clinically proved effective. The Graston Technique which can help the inflamed tissue return to a more normal level of pain free mobility.
Now the focus on your Rehabilitation is to address flexibility and strength. JOI Rehab in conjunction with our foot specialists has developed specific treatment protocols to progress both the soft tissue /plantar fascia of the foot and also the lower leg. The muscles and tendons of your calf play a big part in the success of your recovery.
Once your flexibility and basic strength are restored, your JOI therapist can devise a progressive exercise regimen to appropriately advance you back to your normal activity. Since many causes of plantar fasciitis tears are biomechanical, JOI offers custom orthotics and foot wear instruction to help negate the root cause of the problem.
Once you have completed your rehab at JOI you will have the best weapon to prevent reoccurrence which is a home exercise program. This program will provide all the necessary exercises to facilitate maintaining your current functional level. JOI Rehab would address all the biomechanical causes that were problems in the first place. Remember prevention is the key.
What Does the Future Hold?
Currently Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are demonstrating early progress but at this stage insurances do not recognize as a reimbursable treatment.
If you want more information about wrist and hand injuries, go to JOIonline.net or call JOI-2000 for an appointment.