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The plantar fascia is a ligament-like band running from your heel to the ball of your foot. This band pulls on the heel bone, raising the arch of your foot as it pushes off the ground. But if your foot moves incorrectly, the plantar fascia may become strained. The fascia may swell, and its tiny fibers may begin to fray, causing plantar fasciitis. |
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What Causes It?
Plantar fasciitis is often caused by poor foot mechanics. If your foot flattens too much, the fascia may overstretch and swell. If your foot flattens too little, the fascia may ache from being pulled too tight. |
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Symptoms
With plantar fasciitis, the bottom of your foot 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. |
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Reduce Symptoms
 Reducing symptoms is the physician's first goal. If your pain is due to poor foot mechanics, custom-made shoe inserts (orthotic devices) may help. To relieve mild symptoms, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications may be effective. Rubbing ice on the affected area may also help. To reduce severe pain and swelling, your physician may prescribe medications or injections. Physical therapy, such as ultrasound, may also be recommended. To reduce symptoms caused by poor foot mechanics, your foot may be taped. This supports the arch and temporarily controls movement. Night splints may also help by stretching the fascia. If taping helps, your physician may prescribe orthotic devices. Built from plaster casts of your feet, these inserts control the way your foot moves. As a result, your symptoms should be relieved. If surgery is needed, and other types of treatment do not control your pain, cutting the plantar fascia to release the tension can be performed. As you heal, fibrous tissue fills the space between the heel bone and the plantar fascia. You cannot stay off your feet altogether, but you can reduce overuse and the risks that come with it. Also, be sure to follow your physician's treatment plan. Take medications as directed, and wear orthoses if you have them. Every time your foot strikes the ground, the plantar fascia is stretched. You can reduce the strain on the plantar fascia and the possibility of overuse by following these suggestions: lose any excess weight, avoid running hard on uneven ground, and wear shoes that support your arch. |
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 Gait Demonstration |
Orthotic Therapy
Related Problems
A heel spur is an extra piece of bone that may grow near the spot where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel. The heel spur may form in response to the tug of the plantar fascia on the heel bone. Bursitis is the swelling of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between a ligament and a bone. Bursitis may develop if a swollen plantar fascia presses against a plantar bursa. X-rays of your foot may be taken, or you may have a bone scan to confirm a suspected heel spur or a stress fracture of the heel bone.
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