Plantar Fasciitis - Golden Jubilee National Hospital

Staff information
Plantar
Fasciitis
i
Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Agamemnon Street
Clydebank, G81 4DY
(: 0141 951 5000
www.nhsgoldenjubilee.co.uk
Information for staff.
Reviewed: September 2015
Next review: September 2016
Version 1
About this booklet
The purpose of this booklet is to provide information to staff
members diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, information on risk factors
associated with plantar fasciitis and strategies to manage plantar
fasciitis effectively.
What is plantar fasciitis?
• It is a common condition which around one in 10 people will
develop at some point in their lives.
• The plantar fascia is a tough and flexible band of tissue which
starts from the heel bone and runs under the sole of the foot.
• The plantar fascia can become damaged and thickened, and this
can cause pain on weight bearing and, potentially, disability.
• Alternative names include: Policeman’s heel, Heel pain, plantar
fasciopathy, plantar fascia enthesopathy.
• Importantly, the evidence states that 80% of people with plantar
fasciitis will recover within 12-18 months.
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Plantar Fasciitis
What increases my risk of developing plantar fasciitis?
Age
Weight
Activity
Footwear
Men and women aged between 40-60 are
typically affected.
Overweight (BMI > 25) or obese (BMI > 30)
people are at a higher risk:
Overweight e.g. 12 stone, 5’8”
Obese e.g. 13 stone, 5’5”
Both inactive and overactive people can
develop this condition. Additionally, people who
spend a large amount of time on their feet (e.g.
at work) can develop this condition.
Unsupportive footwear with poor arch support or
heel support may aggravate the condition.
What should I do if I have plantar fasciitis?
• Stretch your calf and foot – see stretch exercises, pages 5-6.
• Try and lose weight if appropriate:
www.nhs.uk/livewell/loseweight
http://www.thebeardmore.com/healthclub/members-and-visitors/
• Ensure your footwear has good support.
• If you think your footwear isn’t suitable, speak to your physio
or manager regarding footwear options. Depending on which
department you work in, these options may vary.
• Reduce or change activities you do which are sore, e.g:
otake regular sitting breaks if standing for long periods;
ostretch regularly when standing for long periods (see back page
for relevant stretches);
oreduce the amount of running you do (could you think about
walking, swimming or cycling instead?).
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• Symptom control:
oConsider over-the-counter painkillers, or speaking to your GP
or pharmacist if this is ineffective
oTry icing your heel regularly: e.g. wrap a packet of frozen
peas in a damp tea towel, then put your heel on it for up to 20
minutes (ensure your skin doesn’t turn purple/blue).
What should I do if this doesn’t help?
• If, after 6-12 weeks of trying the above advice, there is no
improvement, you could either:
o Speak to the Occupational Health Physiotherapist
(extension 5121) regarding further options, or
o Seek advice from your GP regarding onward referral
locally
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Plantar Fasciitis
Stretches for plantar fasciitis (at least twice per day)
1. Non-weight bearing
calf stretch:
3 x 30 second holds
2. Non-weight bearing
plantar fascia
stretch:
3 x 30 second holds
3. Plantar fascia
stretch:
3 x 30 second holds
Plantar Fasciitis
5
4. Standing calf
stretch
(knee straight):
3 x 30 second holds
5. Standing calf
stretch (knee bent):
3 x 30 second holds
Where else can I get information on this condition?
• http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/msk/lowerbody/foot
• http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=bone_joi/10174
• Reference: http://www.clinicalknowledgepublisher.scot.nhs.uk/
Published/PathwayViewer.aspx?fileId=1371
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Plantar Fasciitis
Notes
Plantar Fasciitis
7
(: 0141 951 5513
Please call the above number if you require
this publication in an alternative format
Golden Jubilee National Hospital Charity Number: SC045146
OR14