Plantar Fasciitis
 Condition and Causes

The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue that originates on the medial tubercle of the heel bone and extends along the sole of the foot towards the toes and supports the arch of the foot. The condition is often caused by overuse of the plantar fascia, increases in physical activity, weight or age. Chronic cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes and such cases are termed plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common injury of the plantar fascia and is the most common cause of heel pain. Approximately 10% of people have plantar fasciitis at some point during their lifetime. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing and is much more prevalent in individuals with hyperpronation (flat feet). Among non-athletic populations, it is associated with obesity. Plantar fasciitis pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Those with plantar fasciitis often have difficulty bending the foot so that the toes are brought toward the shin due to tightness of the calf muscle or Achilles tendon. A symptom commonly recognized among sufferers of plantar fasciitis is an increased probability of knee pain, especially among runners.Plantar Fasciitis is the irritation and swelling of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the heel. For most, the pain is typically worse in the morning, with the tendency to improve throughout the day.

Prevention

• Proper training plan
• Core muscles training.
• Stretching of the calf muscles in daily basis.
• Avoid wearing flats (walking with flats may tense up the calf muscles which also pull the plantar fascia)
• Biomechanics Insoles that maintain the good body alignment.Wearing proper fitting shoes with arch support and cushion may help in preventing plantar fasciitis.

Possible Treatment

You may be recommended wearing proper footwear and/or an orthotic. Stretching and icing routines may be recommended as well.

Biomechanics Insoles helps to reduce excessive foot pronation (arch collapse) and thus relaxing the plantar fascia and reducing the tension in the attachment site on the heel bone. It is an example of acquired flatfoot or pathological flatfoot.