What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia) is easily the most common cause of heel pain complained of in the field of orthopaedic and sports medicine. It is common in several categories of people, including runners and other athletes, people who have jobs that require a fair amount of walking or standing on a hard surface, and in some cases it is seen in people who have put on weight, as through pregnancy. The plantar fascia is a broad ligament-like structure that extends from the heel bone to the base of the toes, acting like a thick rubber band on the bottom arch of the foot. Given the addition of extra weight, or withstanding factors of high impact exercise, the plantar fascia can develop microtrauma at its insertion into the heel bone, or anywhere along its length. This causes pain which can be quite severe at times. Plantar Fasciitis may take many months to resolve. Statistics show that it takes approximately 6 months for 75% of people to recover from this problem. 98%
With Plantar Fasciitis, the bottom of your feet may hurt when you stand, especially first thing in the morning. Pain usually occurs on the inside of the foot, near the spot where your heel and arch meet. Pain may lessen after a few steps, but, it comes back after rest or with prolonged movement The cause is when the foot flattens too much or the foot flattens too little.
