Heel pain is one of the most common foot problems we see in our podiatry office. Plantar fasciitis is by far the most common heel pain condition. Let's take a closer peek at plantar fasciitis. The terms heel spur, heel spur syndrome and plantar fasciitis are synonomous and are used to describe a painful condition of the plantar (bottom) aspect of the heel. The plantar fascia is a tough, inelastic band in the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia extends from the bottom of the heel distally to insert into the base of the toes. When we stand, the plantar fascia is put under tension. If the tension applied to the plantar fascia is too great, the fascia will become inflamed. 'Itis' is the suffix attached to a condition to describe inflammation. Therefore, plantar fasciitis describes an inflammatory condition of the plantar fascia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis usually occur when a person begins an activity and applies weight to the foot. Getting out of bed, standing after being off your feet; these are the times that hurt the most in cases of plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is relieved by rest and may come and go depending on your level of activity.

To understand the etiology (origin or causes) and treatment of plantar fasciitis, there are two factors that you must recognize. First is the fact that plantar fasciitis is not a bone problem. At first this may seem somewhat confusing. We call it a heel spur? Well, the term heel spur was actually a poor choice from the get go. The pain experienced by folks with plantar fasciitis is due to tension applied to the plantar fascia and not a sharp spur on the bottom of the heel. The second consideration is the fact that the plantar fascia is actually part of a much larger structure called the CT Band. The CT Band (calf to toes) includes the calf, Achilles tendon, heel bone and plantar fascia. Trying to treat the plantar fascia as an isolated entity usually won't work. You need to change the function of the CT Band to achieve success.

Treatment

The key for the proper treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel pain is determining what is causing the excessive strain and stretching of the plantar fascia, or heel discomfort. Ask your family doctor or Podiatrist (foot doctor) to find the best solution for your ailment. Often times, they suggest changing your footwear as a first step toward recovery.

You can reduce the strain and stress on the plantar fascia by following these simple instructions:

• Don't go barefoot

• Try stretching exercises in bed or before standing, focusing on your Achilles tendon, calf, and toes

• Ice your heels (or the painful area) 2-3 times a day to reduce inflammation

• Wear shoes or orthotics (arch supports) that support your arch and heel

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Avoid running on hard or uneven ground

• Wear shoes and/or arch supports which have proper shock absorption in the heel