Orthotics for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused by increased tension on the plantar fascia – usually from the arch collapsing. As the arch collapses, the foot gets lengthens and  tension is increased within the fascia.  It can occur in both high and low arched feet (it’s not the flat foot that causes it, it is the FLATTENING of the foot).  So to treat plantar fasciitis, you must reduce tension on the fascia (otc arch supports, custom orthotics, correct shoes), AND get rid of the inflammatory responce (ice, NSAIDS, night splint.  If that is not enough we use a couple weeks of immobilization and sometimes injections).

If you end up needing custom orthotics for this problem, the most recent studies show that the orthotics must be prescribed to conform very, very close to the arch (total contact orthotics) in order to reduce arch collapse and subsequent tension on the plantar fascia.