Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis
Plantar Fasciitis is a common and painful complaint, sometimes confused with other injuries. We show how a therapist might assess the injury.
Assessment & Diagnosis
The video above explains how Plantar Fasciitis might be assessed and diagnosed. Assessment of any injury should include questions concerning the patients general health, previous injuries and current injury.
The aim of these questions is to determine which structure may be causing the pain and what treatment is appropriate. The therapist will then perform several tests and assessments as described below.
- Observe posture
The therapist should observe the position of the patient in both standing and walking. They should be paying particular attention to the arch of the foot, looking for fallen arches, a high arch, overpronation and oversupination. - Palpation
The therapist will usually palpate, or feel, the area, including the heel and arch of the foot. Pain on palpation of the inside of the heel or arch indicates plantar fasciitis. - Range of motion
As already discussed, a decreased range of motion at the ankle can contribute to developing plantar fasciitis. The therapist should pay particular attention to the amount of dorsiflexion (pointing the foot up towards the ceiling) as a decreased range here can indicate tight calf muscles. A normal range of motion should comfortably allow a 90 degree angle between the lower leg and foot.
Other investigations can include diagnostic ultrasound, with swelling and thickening of the fascia usually apparent in positive cases, as well as X-rays, which can be used to rule out a heel spur.
