Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition affecting the surface of the foot. It is an inflammation of the tough, fibrous band of tissue (plantar fascia) that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis results from the development of tear in plantar fascia that leads to pain and inflammation. The pain is very acute while walking for the first time in the morning. It is equally severe while walking after a prolonged rest or after being seated for a long time.

During moments of rest, the plantar fascia tightens up causing the pain to diminish. But once the pressure is put on the fascia, it stretches tightly and the acute pain is felt again. The pain gradually subsides as the tissue warms up or as a person becomes more active.

The occurrence of plantar fasciitis is more frequent among people having flat feet or high arches. Middle-aged men and women who are overweight; runners and dancers; and people whose jobs require them to stand for long hours often suffer from plantar fasciitis. Arthritis and direct trauma may also lead to the development of the problem, in which case the condition is called secondary plantar fasciitis.

Treating plantar fasciitis is easy, inexpensive and can require a very short time.

In most cases, rest and simple stretching exercises can relieve the person of pain and the chances of recurrence of the problem. However if not treated, the conditions can become chronic.

Sometimes considerable injury to the tissues may result in a problem called heel spurs" ?spike-like projections of new bone from the heel. This can be treated medically or removed by surgery.

If pressing hard in the middle of the heel results in acute pain, then it must be plantar fasciitis. The problem must not be ignored or left untreated. Acute pain may sometimes lead to involuntary change in the gait, causing other problems such as backache, knee pain or hip pain.

It is very important to take precautions against occurrence of plantar fasciitis. One must always maintain a healthy weight; wear shoes that provide ample cushioning and support to the heel, arch and the ball of the foot; get into new exercise routine slowly in order to prevent excessive stress on the plantar fascia; and never walk barefoot on a hard rocky surface.