I experienced a partial tear in my plantar fascia about six months ago. After extensive rehab, I’m now slowly beginning to run again on the treadmill. My foot feels mostly pain-free after the short runs, however biking still causes significant irritation in the affected area. Any advice beyond more rest?
Call me the supreme cynic here—is someone testing the board?
Two newly registered users, one posting about ITB and another posting about plantar fascia issues…
If you’re legit, I apologize…but it just doesn’t seem so.
6 months post “partial” plantar fascia tear is PLENTY long enough. Also, it would be unusual to hurt more cycling than running. Usually these “heal” in about 6 weeks with return to running at around 12. Need more info though, like MRI findings or how this was diagnosed, etc. Actually, people who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis and then “tear” the fascia usually get better as this now heals longer and with more organized, normal tissue than the current, chronic stuff. If fact, that is what the plantar fascia release type surgeries do.
Took me 3 cortisone shots and 2 1/2 years before I could run again with any speed or distance. Hope you have better luck.
rroof
I am recovering from plantar fasciitis as well. Started in December. I had some pain both cycling and running. I can hit the bike as long or hard as I want now and am running 6-7 miles, 3 X per week no problem. My question concerns cause. I have noticed that I have tight tibialis posterior on both legs. I have some tibialis posterior pain in the left leg after running (just a little) and a small, almost unnoticeable amount in the right (where I have experienced plantar fasciitis). Right hand turns (while running) cause a little pain as they load the left TP. I really noticed the tibialis posterior soreness and tightness when I started using the massage baller (very tender lateral and posterior to the fibula). I have no sensitivity in the soleus or gastroc, only the TP. I wonder if the plantar fasciitis was due to a tight TP? I am stretching it and working it over with the massage baller. Seems to be helping. I think I may have caused the whole thing with alot of big gear work on the bike along with an increase in running mileage.
Mike
I noticed a growing trend in more and more therapists and PTs treating PF with a heavy thorugh calf stretching regimin. I’m assuming that the tightness in your calf, or your case Tibialis Posterior pulls on the calcaneous which acts as a fulcrum putting more tension on the PF… I gotta get a massage ball and roller… Tried Barb L’s last year and it worked so well! Right now I love my The Stick brand foot roller, god it’s heaven!
or, you can roll your foot around on top of a golf ball…the cheap and dirty alternative.
I had a bad tear several years ago. I went to a specialist who put me in an open cast. This keeps the foot at a right angle so that the tendon will attach properly. Not sure if you used one, but I would recommend it. I’ve not had any problems since.
Mike,
No a “tight” posterior tibial muscle group is not usually associated with plantar fasciitis. The posterior muscle group (gastroc and soleus) are far more commonly “tight” and are very powerful muscles on a straight pull tendon (Achilles). The PT tendon, while large, inserts mainly at the plantar-medial navicular and is the main supinator of the foot, but also inserts across the bottom of the foot in 5 other places. It has a mechanical leverage effect of a pulley around the inside ankle bone (med malleolus) and is much more sensitive to biomechanical issues (turning left, running on uneven terrain, etc.). Hence, it is treated as such - I mean mechanical control, no PT, TP massage ball, etc. Many people suffer from both PT tendonopathy/dysfunction and plantar fasciitis (from similar biomechanical causes), but they are treated a little differently. Strengthening the PT tendon (hard to do, but theraband, the dreaded barefoot grass running, etc.) will help this sometimes. PT tendon dysfunction is what drove the shoe market to the super stability type shoes that some people need (but not very many).
PM me for your specifics and I’ll try to help some
Has anyone tried heel seats for PF?
http://www.heel-that-pain.com/pain_relief.php/plantar_fasciitis/plantar_fasciitis/index.php
-Robert
Did they put you in a night splint? The combination of this with orthotics and multiple acupunture visits was the key to getting me back to running after a year struggling with PF.