Plantar fasciitis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Plantar fasciitis, formerly known as “policeman’s heel”, is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot or biomechanical faults that cause abnormal pronation of the foot.^[1] 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, weight gain, jobs that require a lot of walking on hard surfaces, shoes with little or no arch support, and inactivity are also associated with the condition.

This condition often results in a heel spur on the calcaneus, in which case it is the underlying condition, and not the spur itself, which produces the pain.^[1]

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Plantar fasciitis most often affects active men ages 40 – 70. It is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

• Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
• Obesity or sudden weight gain
• Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
• Sudden weight gain
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles

Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis.

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Nonsurgical treatments almost always improve the pain. Treatment can last from several months to 2 years before symptoms get better. Most patients feel better in 9 months. Pain may continue despite treatment. Surgery has its own risks.

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