H06 -- February 2007 -- Plantar Faciitis

Intro: There's nothing like foot pain to make you crazy. That's what an expert at Mayo Clinic says he hears from patients who have a condition called plantar fasciitis [fashee-EYE-tis]. It's very common and can make walking across the room a miserable experience. What can you do about it? Let's go to Mayo Clinic to find out.

WHEN SARA GREEN GETS A FLARE-UP OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS, THERE'S NO WAY SHE CAN TAKE A STEP CLASS LIKE THIS ONE.

PHIL ORTE [ORT], SARA'S PHYSICAL THERAPIST AT MAYO CLINIC AGREES. YOU SEE, HE'S SUFFERED FROM PLANTAR FASCIITIS TOO.

"IT'S DISABLING. IS IT TENDER TO TOUCH TODAY?"

THE SPOT PHIL'S TOUCHING ON SARA'S HEEL IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PLANTAR FASCIA RUNS FROM THERE TO THE FRONT OF YOUR FOOT. IT ACTS AS A SHOCK ABSORBER AND ARCH SUPPORT. FLAT FEET, INJURY OR OVER USE CAN CAUSE THE FASCIA TO BECOME INFLAMED AND VERY SORE.

"IT'S NASTY. WHEN YOU HURT IT STINKS."

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

"STRETCHING. FIRST THING IN THE MORNING."

STRETCH SEVERAL MORE TIMES DURING THE DAY. ALSO, YOU SHOULD HEAT IT BEFORE WALKING OR EXERCISE, ICE IT AFTERWARDS, DO RESISTANCE EXERCISES TO STENGTHEN THE MUSCLES AROUND IT, WEAR GOOD SHOES WITH GOOD SUPPORT AND GET AN ORTHOTIC FOR EVEN MORE ARCH SUPORT. AND IF IT'S BAD, STAY OFF YOUR FEET AND REST.YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO WEAR A FOOT BRACE AT NIGHT TO KEEP YOUR FOOT FROM DROPPING DOWN. BECAUSE IF IT DROPS, THE PLANTAR FASCIA WILL TIGHTEN UP AND YOU'LL BE IN PAIN WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING. KEEP IN MIND THAT RECOVERY TAKES TIME.

"WITHIN 4 TO 6 WEEKS AFTER INITIATING TREATMENT YOU SHOULD SAY I'M 50 TO 100% BETTER."

IF NOT, YOU MAY NEED MORE AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT LIKE CORTISONE SHOTS OR IN RARE CASES SURGERY.

FOR SARA STRETCHING AND ICING EVERY DAY HELPS KEEP HER PAIN FREE AND IN STEP. FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Sara's learned that if she over does it with too many step classes or other exercises like running, her plantar fasciitis will flare up. So when the pain starts, she ads more stretching, heat and icing to her daily routine. For more information visit our Web site at ...

STATIONS: Per the licensing agreement, please provide a link from your station's Web site to www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge or voice tag "mayoclinic.org/medical-edge" for more information.