Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by overuse of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a relatively inflexible, strong, fibrous band on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch of your foot.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

• Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
• Obesity or sudden weight gain
• Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
• Sudden weight gain
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles
• Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.

Symptoms:

The most common complaint is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp. The bottom of the foot may also ache or burn.

The pain is usually worse:

• In the morning when you take your first steps
• After standing or sitting for a while
• When climbing stairs
• After intense activity
• The pain may develop slowly over time, or suddenly after intense activity.

The most common treatments for plantar fasciitis include:

• icing the affected area
• inserting custom-made orthotics into your shoes
• massaging the plantar fascia
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• strengthening the foot
• wearing shoes with arch support
• physical therapy
• stretching the calf muscles

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