Plantar fascia is the strong connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel to the base of the toes. The   thick, fibrous band of tissue, along with the muscle and bones, forms the arch of the foot. If the fascia becomes irritated, it becomes inflamed and painful.

Generally  the pain is noticed after getting up in the morning or after standing for long periods or sitting. This is because the fascia has an opportunity to tighten during the night or during periods of rest and is traumatically stretched upon the initial weight bearing. Due course of the day, with increased activity, the pain may again worsen despite of  the fact that it frequently loosens up after the first few steps. The location of the pain may vary also. While plantar fasciitis generally is noticed under the heel, it may extend along the entire course of the fascia or at any point along length of the fascia.

The function of your heel while   walking is to absorb the shock of your foot striking the ground as it is put down and to start springing you forward on the next step. It contains strong bone (the calcaneum). Under the bone there are  large number of small pockets of fat in strong elastic linings, which absorb much of the shock (fat pads). The heel is attached to the front of the foot by a number of strong ligaments. They  run between the front part of the calcaneum and various other parts of the foot. The strongest ligament is the plantar fascia, which attaches the heel to the toes and helps to balance the various parts of the foot as you walk. It therefore takes a lot of stress as you walk.
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Causes for Plantar fascia

This is  due  to simply the constant stress, and it  is therefore common in people who spend all  their day on their feet or are overweight.

Due to stiffness of the ankle or tightness of the Achilles tendon increase the stresses on the heel. Most people with plantar fascitis have r tight Achilles tendon.

People who have high-arched (“cavus”) feet or  a flat feet are less able to absorb the stress of walking and are at risk for  plantar fascitis

Sometimes it  may start after an injury to the heel.

People who  suffer from rheumatic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis may get inflammation anywhere a ligament is attached to bone (enthesopathy).Plantar fascitis in these people is part of their general condition.

As heel pain is basically a stress problem in the tissues of the heel, the main treatment is to reduce stress.

Physiotherapy provides services to develop maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan

For more information and treatment by physiotherapy for Plantar Fascitis contact  Sara Rehab  at 905.497.4550

Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by the deterioration of the connective tissues and the underlying bone of entire joint and mostly common to happen from middle age.. This condition is sometimes referred as degenerative joint disease. The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary, and depend on which joints are affected and the extent they are affected. Osteoarthritis is a most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is caused by degeneration (,”wear-and-tear”). This type of arthritis occurs mostly in people 50 years and older, but may occur in younger people also in any trauma injury . In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears out. Most common symptoms are pain and stiffness, especially first thing in the

These symptoms mostly tend to build over time rather than a sudden show up.

Sore or joint stiffness and particularly the hips, knees, and lower back after inactivity or over use. It is more likely to affect women rather than men after the age of 50.

Symptoms

Any Clicking or cracking sound when a joint bends

Mild swelling around the joint area.

Pain that becomes worse after activity or towards the end of the day

Here are some ways it may affect different parts of the body:

• Hips: Pain is felt in the groin area or buttocks and sometimes inside of the knee or thigh.
• Knees: Grating or scraping feeling occurs when moving the knee.
• Fingers: The Bony growths at the edge of joints can cause fingers to become swollen, tender and red. There may be pain at the base of the thumb also.
• Feet:Pain and tenderness may be also felt in large joint at the base of the big toe. There may be swelling in the ankles or toes.

It is a progressive disease and symptoms can become worse.

Physical therapy can help to reduce the pain, swelling, and stiffness of knee osteoarthritis, and it can help improve knee joint function. You need to find that balance of keeping your knee joints moving just enough so they’re strong and healthy, and physical therapy helps you do that. It can also make it easier for you to walk, bend, knee down, squat, and sit.

For more information and treatment by physiotherapy for osteoarthritis contact Sara Rehab  at 905.497.4550