Many suffer from it and sometimes getting relief from it is not that easier. Among the common treatment modalities; rest, steroid injection at the site of maximum pain, excision of the calcaneal spur, analgesics and shock wave treatment are important.
Steroid injection gives quick relief in short term, but long term relief is not good; recurrence is common. And excision of the bony out growth from calcaneous bone; a calcaneal spur is an invasive procedure. Shock wave treatment is also a good procedure, but spending is needed. Now, it has been seen that stretching of the ligament gives better long term relief from pain than shock wave treatment.
This stretch is to be performed in a seated position. Affected foot is kept crossed over the knee of the other leg. The toes of painful foot are grasped with a hand; foot is pressed down against the grasping hand; that makes the fascia tout and can be well felt in bottom of foot like a tight band. The fascia can be rubbed to stretch with the thumb of the other hand. The stretching is held for 10 seconds and repeated 10-20 times for each foot, thrice daily.
Most of the patients get the benefit within a few weeks. Moreover, it is inexpensive.
