BIOMECHANICAL EFFECTS OF ORTHOTIC WEDGING ON SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES IN PATIENTS WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory stress syndrome of the plantar fascia and the most common hind foot problem in runners (Anderson, 2000). It is related to the stress on the plantar fascia from the weight of and the activity combined with weight transfer up onto the toes which leads to metatarsophalangeal joint extension and causes a “windlass” effect on the plantar fascia. Different conditions such as excessive tightness of Achilles tendon, excessive or prolonged pronation, pes cavus, or obesity can overload the plantar fascia origin on the anteromedial aspect of the calcaneus during weight bearing activities (Taunton et al, 1996)