Podiatrist Liam McManus - Plantar Fasciitis

In this bonus episode of RunPod, Jenny Falconer welcomes podiatrist Liam McManus to delve deeper into the topic of plantar fasciitis. Liam shares that this condition affects about 10% of the population at some point in their lives and discusses various risk factors, including age (40-60), a higher BMI, and poor footwear choices, contributing to heel pain. He emphasizes that while running can exacerbate plantar fasciitis, it is not solely a running-related injury, as conditions can arise from multiple factors such as diabetes and age.

Liam describes the nature of pain associated with plantar fasciitis, identifying key characteristics, such as sharp heel pain that typically occurs in the morning and lessens with activity. He notes that pain located elsewhere in the foot may indicate different issues entirely and should not be labeled as plantar fasciitis. He further explains treatment options available, including the use of shockwave therapy which promotes tissue regeneration, and suggests modifications to physical activities during recovery.

Jenny and Liam also address a listener question about the effectiveness of treatment options for persistent plantar fasciitis. Liam outlines a strengthening routine that can be easily integrated into daily life, highlighting the importance of not completely resting the affected area but rather finding ways to continue gentle activity to promote healing. This episode aims to clear up misconceptions about plantar fasciitis, offering reassurance that runners can still engage in their sport while managing their symptoms correctly.