Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar literally means 'bottom of foot', fascia means 'connective tissue' and itis means 'inflammation'. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot and heel pain; it affects more than 10% of the US population. It is considered a repetitive stress condition where your fascia experiences wear and tear mostly at the point where it attaches to your heel bone (the weakest part). Every time your foot strikes the ground your plantar fascia is stretched, when your heel lifts off the ground your plantar fascia experiences tension. Forces in your foot strike can reach 2-3 times your body weight depending on if you are standing, walking, running or jumping. This extra tension can result in overstretching, inflammation and/or micro-tearing of the fascia at your heel, which your body finds difficult to repair itself. Although it is referred to as an inflammatory condition, plantar fasciitis can happen with or without inflammation. It generally occurs in one foot, however in 1/3 of cases it will develop in both feet. It most frequently affects athletes, people who are on their feet all day and those over 40 years of age (it is experienced twice as often in women than men in this age group).

Plantar fasciitis can be a stand alone condition or it can be related to an underlying disease or other ailment. Many people refer to plantar fasciitis and heel spurs as one in the same. Although these are similar and often occur in conjunction with each other, they are not same. Heel spurs (calcium deposits in soft tissues in and around the bone) can actually be caused by plantar fasciitis; 50% of people with plantar fasciitis have heel spurs.

In any case, plantar fasciitis can affect your ability to do your usual work, hobbies and/or sports activities. It also can lead to changes in the way you walk, and if not addressed, can lead to knee, hip and low back injuries. Plantar fasciitis can cause scar tissue, as well as enlargement or swelling of the vessels that carry fluids through your bone marrow, which can complicate the healing of an injured fascia. It is considered a self-limited condition, which means that by making small alterations in your lifestyle and regular routines you can often control the condition.

Alternate names and/or associated conditions:

Plantar fasciosis, jogger's heel, tennis heel, policeman's heel, calcaneal enthesopathy pain, gonorrhea heel, calcaneal spur syndrome, heel spur syndrome, plantar fascial rupture, calcaneal fracture, atrophy of heel fat pad, tibial nerve entrapment, and gout.