Pickleball Magazine 2-6 Courtesy of PickleballTournaments | Page 87

W
ith the growing popularity of the sport
around the country, there have been
more people in the pickleball community
complaining of heel pain. Although
treatable, plantar fasciitis is a painful and self-limiting
condition. Supporting the arch, the plantar fascia, a thick
band of tissue connecting the heel to the ball of the foot,
can become inflamed or can tear. You experience pain
when you put weight on your foot—particularly when
taking your first steps in the morning. The pain can be
felt at the heel, or along the arch and the ball of the foot.
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition. It occurs
in as many as 2 million Americans per year and 10% of
the population over their lifetimes.
Factors that contribute to the development of plantar
fasciitis include:
• Age (over 40 years)
• A job, sport, or hobby that involves prolonged
standing or another weight-bearing activity
• Rapid increases in length or level of activity, such as
beginning a new running program or changing to a
job that requires a lot more standing or walking than
you are accustomed to
• Decreased calf muscle flexibility and high arches
• Increased body weight (Body Mass Index greater
than 30)
• Improper foot mechanics
Plantar fasciitis affects people of all ages, both athletes
and non-athletes. Men and women have an equal chance
of developing the condition.
Signs and Symptoms
The onset of symptoms of plantar fasciitis frequently
occurs with a sudden increase in activity. You might
feel a stabbing pain on the underside of your heel, and
a sensation of tightness and/or tenderness along your
arch.
People with plantar fasciitis may experience pain:
• In the morning, when stepping out of bed and
taking the first steps of the day
• With prolonged standing
• When standing up after sitting for a while
• After an intense weight-bearing activity such as
running
• When climbing stairs
• When walking barefoot or in shoes with poor
support
As your body warms up, your pain may decrease during
the day but then worsen again toward the end of the
day because of extended walking. Severe symptoms may
cause you to limp.
How is it Diagnosed?
To diagnose plantar fasciitis, a physical therapist may
conduct the following physical tests to see if symptoms
occur:
• Massaging and pressing on the heel area (palpation)
• Gently stretching the ankle to bend the top of the
foot toward the leg (dorsiflexion)
• Gently pressing the toes toward the ankle
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat
plantar fasciitis.
When you are diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, your
physical therapist will work with you to develop a
program to decrease your symptoms that may include:
• Stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your
ankle and the plantar fascia
• Use of a night splint to maintain correct ankle and
toe positions
• Selection of supportive footwear and/or shoe inserts
that minimize foot pronation and reduce stress to
the plantar fascia
• Appl