Plantar fasciitis
Definition
Plantar fasciitis is irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot.
Causes
The plantar fascia is a very thick band of tissue that covers the bones on the bottom of the foot. This fascia can become inflamed and painful in some people, making walking more difficult.
Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:
- Foot arch problems (both flat foot and high arches)
- Obesity
- Running
- Sudden weight gain
- Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
A typical patient is an active man age 40-70.
This condition is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.
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.
References
Donley BG, Moore T, Sferra J, Gozdanovic J, Smith R. The efficacy of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) in teh treatment of plantar fasciitis: a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study. Foot Ankle Int. 2007;28:20-23.
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