Differences Between Fallen Arches and Plantar Fasciitis

If you're experiencing pain in the arch of your foot, you're probably wondering if it's Plantar Fasciitis, fallen arches, flat feet (flatfoot), or Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD). Let's break it down so you can figure out what’s going on and get the right treatment to get you back to doing what you love.

A healthy plantar fascia forms an arch and acts like a spring to absorb the shock as you go about your day. The arch is supported by small muscles in your foot, calf muscles, tendons, and other tissue. When these tissues are not doing their job effectively, the arch can collapse, flattening your foot. That's what we call Fallen Arches or Flatfoot. One of the conditions that cause Fallen Arches or Flatfoot is called PTTD.

Even though they affect different parts of your foot, Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD share some common traits:

1. Repetitive Stress Injuries: Both conditions stem from repetitive stress. Whether you're an athlete or someone who stands for long periods of time, these activities can trigger Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD.
2. Pain Triggers: Pain from both conditions tends to be worse first thing in the morning when you get out of bed, after standing or walking for a while, and following periods of activity.
3. Need for Active Treatment: Usually, PTTD and Plantar Fasciitis don't heal on their own. You need to actively work on them. Soft tissue massage encourages healthy tissue repair and physical therapy exercises strengthen your foot muscles.
4. Gradual Increase in Activity: Recovery involves gradually increasing your activity levels to build strength and prevent further injury.

Despite their similarities, there are some key differences:

1. Affected Tissues: In Plantar Fasciitis, the plantar fascia ligament at the bottom of your foot gets injured. In PTTD, the posterior tibial tendon, which supports your arch, is the one in trouble.
2. Pain Location: Plantar Fasciitis usually causes pain in the bottom of the foot, particularly in the arch and heel. PTTD pain is sometimes felt in the arch, but more commonly on the inside of the ankle.
3. Pain Sensation: Plantar Fasciitis pain is often described as stabbing or throbbing. PTTD pain can feel more like a dull ache or a burning sensation, similar to nerve pain.
4. Response to Unloading: With Plantar Fasciitis, unloading the injured tissue (taking your weight off the affected foot) can provide immediate pain relief. For PTTD, it takes a bit longer for the pain to subside after unloading.

Figuring out whether you have Plantar Fasciitis or fallen arches from PTTD can be tricky, but here are some clues that physical therapists use for diagnosis:

• Take the Foot and Ankle Pain Quiz: We built the quiz so you can differentiate between Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD and pick the right treatment for you, using the tried-and-true diagnostic tools from physical therapy.
• Pain Location: Focus on where the pain is most intense. Heel and arch pain typically point to Plantar Fasciitis, while pain inside the ankle suggests PTTD.
• Specific Tests: In the quiz, we use these tests to differentiate between the conditions:

1. Get a Proper Diagnosis: Understanding whether you have Plantar Fasciitis or PTTD is crucial for effective treatment. Our PT-approved foot pain quiz is a first step, or consult a strong physical therapist to get the right diagnosis.
2. Condition-Specific Treatment: Each condition requires targeted treatment. For Plantar Fasciitis, focus on supporting and reducing the amount of load through the arch, soft tissue massage, and strengthening the entire chain. For PTTD, support the arch, reduce swelling, and strengthen the muscles and tendons that work with the posterior tibial tendon.
3. Incorporate Physical Therapy: Use the Alleviate App and Guided Recovery Programs to access Plantar Fasciitis and PTTD physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles in your feet, all the way up to your calves. This will help support your arches and reduce strain on the injured tissues.
4. Incorporate Daily Massage: Daily massage using the Arch Massager reduces tension, and encourages healthy tissue repair and growth.
5. Use a Foot Brace: A foot brace designed to replicate the physical therapy tape job, like the Loft 2 Brace, can provide the necessary support and alleviate pain by taking the load off the affected areas, immediately reducing the pain. Pain relief from the Loft 2 Brace is your first step toward active recovery.
6. Gradually Increase Activity: Avoid jumping back into high-intensity activities too quickly. Gradually increase your walking or standing time to allow your foot and ankle to adapt and strengthen.
7. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key. Regularly perform your PTTD and Plantar Fasciitis exercises and follow your treatment plan to achieve lasting recovery.

Understanding the similarities and differences between Plantar Fasciitis and fallen arches from PTTD helps you make informed decisions about your arch pain treatment. With the right diagnosis and targeted approach, you can get back on your feet and enjoy your daily activities without discomfort. Don’t let foot pain hold you back – take charge of your recovery with us!