Can Climbing Ladders Irritate the Plantar Fascia?

Our feet are designed to absorb the shock created by physical activities like walking, standing and climbing ladders. Over time, however, these everyday activities can lead to wear and tear of the feet, increasing our risk for injuries. One common example is plantar fasciitis, or irritation of the arch of the foot.

Plantar Fascia

• WebMD defines the plantar fascia as the thick band of ligaments connecting the heel to the toes to support the arch of the foot. FamilyDoctor.org explains that the plantar fascia becomes less flexible as the body ages, and the fat pad covering the heel becomes thinner and less effective at absorbing shock to the foot. These occurrences raise the risk of injury to the fascia during normal activities.

Plantar Fasciitis

• Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or torn. It can result from standing on hard surfaces for long periods, exercise such as running or biking, being overweight or wearing shoes that do not provide adequate support for the arches of the feet. MayoClinic.com describes plantar fasciitis as a stabbing pain in the heel area that is at its worst in the morning and after standing for long periods.

Ladders

• MayoClinic.com attributes plantar fasciitis to activities that repeatedly increase tension on the plantar fascia, leading to stretching and tearing. Climbing and standing on a ladder places most of the body's weight on the arch of the foot, which could cause or worsen plantar fasciitis.

Prevention/Treatment

• If possible, reduce activities that worsen symptoms, such as climbing ladders. Your doctor may recommend specific stretches to relieve tension in the plantar fascia. According to FamilyDoctor.org, other treatments include shoe inserts to support arches, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.