The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue attached to the heel bone. It supports the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of this plantar fascia.
It causes pain in the heel of the foot. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition.

• Physical exertion, especially in sports such as:
  • Running
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis
• A sudden increase in exercise intensity or duration
• Physical activity that stresses the plantar fascia
• People who spend a lot of time standing
• A sudden increase in activities that affect the feet
• Obesity or weight gain
• Pre-existing foot problems, including an abnormally tight Achilles tendon, flat feet, or an ankle that rolls inward too much
• Poor footwear
• Heel spurs

• Pain on the sole of the foot near the heel
• Heel pain when taking the first steps in the morning
• Tenderness when touching the sole or heel
• Pain that increases over a period of months

• MRI scan
• Ultrasound

• Stretching the Achilles tendon/plantar fascia structures
• Taping to the heel and arch
• Cross-friction massage/soft tissue and joint mobilization
• Ultrasound, iontophoresis, moist heat, cryotherapy and electrical stimulation
• Patient education and instruction in home exercise program
• Custom orthotics
• Weight loss goals

• Wear appropriate and well-fitted footwear during sports and exercise.
• Do stretching exercises for the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia.
• Increase the intensity and duration of exercise gradually.
• Maintain an appropriate weight.

• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

http://www.aapmr.org

• OrthoInfo.org—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

http://orthoinfo.org

• Ontario Podiatric Medical Association

http://www.opma.ca

• Orthogate

http://www.orthogate.org

• Plantar fasciitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed Updated November 2, 2012. Accessed February 18, 2014.
• Plantar fasciitis. Focus on the basics. Mayo Clin Health Lett. 2012;30(8):7.
• Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00149 Updated June 2010. Accessed November 19, 2012.
• Pommering TL. Ankle and foot injuries in pediatric and adult athletes. Prim Care. 2005;32:133-161.
• 6/5/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Baldassin V, Gomes CR, et al. Effectiveness of prefabricated and customized foot orthoses made from low-cost foam for noncomplicated plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;90:701-706.
• 4/24/2014 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance  http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Wise JN, Weissman BN, et al. American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria for chronic foot pain. Available at: http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/AppCriteria/Diagnostic/ChronicFootPain.pdf. Updated 2013. Accessed April 24, 2014.