Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis is pronounced “plantar fash-ee-itis” and is the most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis occurs when tears and inflammation develop on the plantar fascia ligament in the heel of the foot. There are a number of factors that can contribute to this condition. Usually this condition occurs when the fascia stretches or moves abnormally. Overtime, the symptoms of this condition can worsen without proper treatment. The primary component that is affected by plantar fasciitis is the plantar fascia ligament. The plantar fascia is a thick, fibrous band of tissue that is both strong and elastic. Ligaments such as the fascia hold bones together. The plantar fascia attaches to the calcaneous, which is the heel bone, covers nearly the entire length of the foot and reattaches at the toes. The job of this structure is to maintain the curve of the arch of the foot during movement. Another structure that can influence plantar fasciitis is the Achilles tendon. This strong cord of tissue connects muscles in the calf to the heel bone and assists movement. Sometimes, a tight Achilles tendon can lead to plantar fasciitis by distributing additional tension on the fascia. This can often occur among athletes who do not stretch properly prior to exercise.  Inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis occurs as a result of tissue damage and it is the body’s attempt to protect the area. Swelling and pain are often factors of this process. When a person walks, the plantar fascia ligament stretches as the foot hits the ground. The fascia is designed to support a specific amount of weight or load. When the ligament is forced to stretch excessively or abnormally, particularly in a repetitive activity or through extreme weight, damage to the fascia tissue is likely to occur. Pain from plantar fasciitis can sometimes cause more than just discomfort. It can often significantly impact daily activities since any weight placed on the affected area can deliver serious pain which can prevent you from doing daily activities and exercise. Plantar fasciitis causes an aching pain that can be localized in the heel, but also radiate throughout the foot. In most cases, pain is most noticeable and serious in the morning when getting out of bed, or after standing up after prolonged sitting. This is because pain in the inflamed area subsides after the plantar fascia relaxes. When weight is first placed on the heel again after long periods of rest the pain is most severe. Pain tends to lessen somewhat during movement, but can return again later on in the day. Discomfort and pain caused by plantar fasciitis can sometimes cause a negative chain reaction. Sometimes plantar fasciitis sufferers tend to deal with the pain by adjusting their weight during movement, placing additional weight in other areas of the foot, causing a change in the way their foot hits the ground. This change in gait (the way the foot hits the ground) is a serious side-effect of plantar fasciitis and can be the catalyst for other serious and painful conditions in the foot as well as in other regions of the body. An extremely abnormal gait can create serious problems because it changes the mechanics of the body during movement and this malfunction can cause further wear and tear and pain in the foot, knee, or hips. There are many factors that can lead to an occurrence of plantar fasciitis. Although plantar fasciitis can influence mechanical malfunctions of the foot during movement, as already mentioned, these malfunctions can also cause plantar fasciitis. Having flat feet, for example, is a common condition where the arch of the foot drops. The result is abnormal wear and tear on the plantar fascia that can lead to a damaged fascia. Pronation, high arches, and a tight Achilles tendon are also biomechanical factors that can add stress and pull the plantar fascia too much, causing tears in the tissue. Another common cause of plantar fasciitis is overuse. Wear and tear from overuse can develop from a number of stressful activities. Jobs or any activity that involves walking or standing for long periods, or lifting heavy objects repetitively, all put constant or repeated stress on the foot which can lead to plantar fasciitis. Exercise is also a very common reason for this condition. Often times athletes, runners in particular, increase the length or difficulty of their routines too rapidly, or fail to stretch the plantar fascia and calf before and after their exercise routine. These small factors become very significant when involved in a strenuous workout. Other factors that can also influence plantar fasciitis are obesity and age. Plantar fasciitis develops as a result of the way weight is placed on the plantar fascia. Only in rare situations does a specific traumatic injury to the foot cause plantar fasciitis. In addition, this condition does not occur from standing on the heels of the feet or by compression. Instead, plantar fasciitis happens as a result of immense pressure and strain on the foot that the tissue of the plantar fascia is not equipped to handle. |