Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing. Obesity and sudden weight gain are also associated to this condition.
This condition often causes a heel spur (on the calcaneus) to develop, in which case it is the underlying condition, and not the spur itself, which produces the pain.
The mainstay of treatment is stretching of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia itself. The patient should be encouraged to lessen activities which place more pressure on the feet. Occasionally, changing shoes to more comfortable types which provide more support can help. Exercises to stretch the plantar fascia, such as heel stretches, may help. In patients with low or high arched feet, insole arch supports may assist recovery. Weight loss is highly encouraged if the condition is primarily due to this cause.
Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
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