Plantar Fasciitis

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• What Is Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Are Causes of Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Are Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors?
• What Are Signs and Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
• When Should Someone Seek Medical Care for Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Exams and Tests Help to Diagnose Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Specialists Diagnose and Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Are Plantar Fasciitis Treatments?
• Are There Home Remedies for Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Medications Treat Plantar Fasciitis?
• Is Follow-up Necessary After Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis?
• How Can Someone Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?
• What Is the Prognosis for Plantar Fasciitis?
• Where Can People Find More Information on Plantar Fasciitis?

The fibrous tissue that surrounds muscle and separates various tissues of the body is referred to as the fascia. The bottom, or plantar, surface of the foot has a strip of this tough tissue, referred to as the plantar fascia, stretching from the heel to the front of the bottom of the foot. This bowstring-like plantar fascia stretches underneath the sole of the foot and attaches at the heel. This fascia can become inflamed by disease or injury. Inflammation of the plantar fascia is referred to as plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that most commonly occurs in people between 40 and 60 years of age. Plantar fasciitis can occur alone from injury or may be related to underlying diseases that cause arthritis (inflammation of the joints) such as reactive arthritis (formerly called Reiter's disease), ankylosing spondylitis, and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Sometimes plantar fasciitis occurs for unknown reasons.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include female gender, being overweight, occupations requiring walking or standing on hard surfaces, and running for exercise. Someone who has a foot with a very high or flat arch is also more likely to develop plantar fasciitis.

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