Plantar Fasciitis affects the heel, causing debilitating pain when you first start to walk after sitting or lying down. The pain tends to ease as you move around but it can return if you stand still for long periods.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
The condition is caused by inflammation of the band of tissue (fascia) that connects the base of your toes to the heel bone, running along the bottom of your foot. The fascia supports the arch of the foot, acting as a shock absorber when you walk. Tension and stress can cause small tears to develop in the fascia and over time repeated tearing or stretching can result in inflammation and pain.
Can cycling cause plantar fasciitis?
All kinds of people can be affected by plantar fasciitis and the precise causes aren’t always clear. Cyclists sometimes ask us whether cycling has contributed to their plantar fasciitis or whether it can worsen their condition. It is unlikely that cycling, in itself, can cause the condition as it is a low impact exercise.
Certain types of high impact exercises, such as running and jumping, are far more likely to cause plantar fasciitis as they place the heel and surrounding tissue under stress. Other factors increase your risk of plantar fasciitis, including being overweight or standing for long periods of time, both of which increase stress on this part of your body.
Can cycling worsen plantar fasciitis?
It’s unlikely, too, that cycling will worsen plantar fasciitis if you have it, although it’s important to take certain common sense measures as a precaution. We recommend warming up properly before any kind of exercise and cooling down afterwards to reduce the risk of injury.
Having the right bike for your height will help to prevent stress on your feet and ankles, as will wearing the right kind of protective footwear. Moderate exercise is likely to help with plantar fasciitis symptoms although we do not recommend cycling for extended periods as this increases your risk of overuse injuries. You should also take care to keep your bike in good condition to avoid musculoskeletal damage and minimise the risk of accidents.
Can exercise help relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms?
Certain types of low impact exercises, like swimming or yoga, are generally recommended as they can help to relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms. A physiotherapist can also suggest stretches to relieve the pain and increase flexibility in your ankle, which may help to prevent a recurrence.
Treatments for plantar fasciitis
Although plantar fasciitis is painful, the condition. rarely requires surgery. Most cases recover by themselves with rest and at-home treatments. You can treat the pain with painkillers and anti-inflammatories, along with ice packs to reduce inflammation. Stretching and strengthening exercises can be very helpful and you may also benefit from orthotics in your shoes to distribute the pressure on your feet more evenly, or splints which you wear at night to hold the Achilles tendon in a lengthened position which relieves pressure on the plantar fascia. If these simple measures don’t work, you may require a more invasive treatment, such as a steroid injection to relieve pain, tissue repair or surgery.
Heel pain can affect your quality of life and prevent you from taking part in activities that you enjoy. It is important to get a proper diagnosis and discuss the most appropriate treatments, as well as considering how to prevent a recurrence of the condition.
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
We are always happy to provide information and guidance about the various treatment options for plantar fasciitis.
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