Plantar faciitis
What causes plantar fasciitis?
The sole of the foot is referred to as the plantar area. Plantar fasciitis is a chronic local inflammation of the "bowstring-like" ligament stretching underneath the sole, also referred to as the plantar fascia.
What causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is most commonly caused by repetitive strain injury to the ligament of the sole of the foot. Such strain injury can be from excessive running or walking, inadequate footwear, and jumping injury from landing. Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by certain diseases, including reactive arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Symptoms
Plantar fasciitis causes pain and tenderness at the bottom of the foot. The tenderness is usually toward the heel, but the entire sole of the foot can be affected. A sign of abnormal tension or tightness that can lead to plantar fasciitis is a bony prominence (heel spur) that develops where the inflamed plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone.
Plantar fasciitis can make walking and running difficult. It can make the foot feel particularly stiff and sensitive in the morning or when rising after sitting or getting out of a car. Plantar fasciitis makes it difficult to walk barefoot on hard surfaces. Sometimes the bottom of the foot can feel warm, swollen, and tender.
How can treatment help
To treat plantar fasciitis, a combination of foot adjustments, manual physiotherapy, and ultrasound is used. To aid treatment and recovery, proper, supportive footwear is important.