Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

Refers to the inflammation of a band of connective tissue known as plantar fascia, that connects your heel to the ball of your foot. Plantar fascia has an important role, it acts as a lever to help us push off the ground when walking or running.

When the plantar fascia is inflamed, suffers usually experience pain inside the sole and heel, occurring in the morning, especially when taking first few steps of the day and during activities.

For sporting individuals, the problem derived from the overuse of plantar fascia. Other possible causes could stem from flat feet or high arches. Identify the cause will help to solve this problem successfully.

The best and easiest way treatment option is to have adequate rest, to take the strain off and allow the inflamed plantar fascia to rest. Below are a few items that help to solve plantar fasciitis. Learn more here.

Strassburg Plantar Fasciitis Sock and Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint – designed to prolong plantar fascia stretch over night, this helps to reduce pain in the morning.

Aircast Airheel Plantar Fasciitis Achilles Tendonitis Kit- it provides round the clock heel support for heel pain, it is lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Formthotics Classic Blue Dual Insoles (Medium Density) – offer great arch support, it absorbs and reduces shock and impact on the heel during running/ walking.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendinopathy includes both the inflammation and tiny-tears of the Achilles tendon fibre, that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Achilles pain usually happens in the lower calf and heel. Learn more here.

Resting from high impact activities is effective and beneficial in dealing with Achilles pain. Besides, ice therapy can also be used to numb the pain and alleviate swelling of the Achilles tendon.

It is advisable to reduce high impact activities, especially during rehabilitation. Here are a few items that assist with Achilles Tendon pain.

Aircast Aiheel Ankle Brace– using a combination of compression and stability to relieve and heal Achilles Tendinopathy.

Tuli’s Heavy Duty Heel Cups – provides shock absorption and stabilise the heel, reduces heel pain and the risk of overuse injuries. Ideal for prevention and treatment of Achilles tendon.

Achilles strapping/ taping – helps to prevent the Achilles tendon from over stretching, reduces the pressure on the Achilles tendon by taking some of the load. Spidertech Kinesiology Tape and Rock Tape can be used for Achilles tendon strapping / taping.

Jumper's Knee (Patellar Tendinitis)

It is an overuse injury on the patella tendon, that results in pain at the bottom of the kneecap. The strain and damage to the patella tendon are inflicted by the repetitive too much running, jumping and landing activities. As a result, the patella tendon became inflamed or degenerated.

The Jumper’s knee problem comes on gradually. Some common signs and syndromes are:

• painful tendon at the bottom of kneecap. It is tender to touch and painful when bending the knee.
• stiffness of the knee while jumping, kneeling or climbing the stairs etc.
• pain in the quadriceps muscle,
• experience calf and leg weakness.

It is advisable to rest from high impact activities such as running and jumping during rehabilitation.

Mueller Jumper's Knee Strap: The strap generates mild pressure on the tendon below the kneecap to elevate the kneecap (patellar). This will help to improve patellar tracking . The tubular insert provides uniform pressure and helps provide pain relief from the symptoms of patellar tendinitis.

Mueller Hg80 Premium Hinged Knee Brace – Support the natural gliding action of stiff, weak and painful knees through two triaxial hinges that copied the natural movement of the knee joint. The sewn-in patellar buttress help to relieve some symptoms of patellar tendinitis.

Actimove GenuMotion Knee Support – made from soft, latex-free and breathable materials, it provides gradient compression to the knee, this helps to stabilize the patella and relieve patellar tendinitis pain.

Here are the Part 2 and  Part 3 of the Top 10 Running Injuries and Treatments.

The information above is general in nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subject matter covered. It is not a substitute for medical advice and you should always consult a trained professional practising in the area of sports medicine in relation to any injury. You use or rely on the information above at your own risk and no party involved in the production of this resource accepts any responsibility for the information contained within it or your use of that information.