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Plantar fasciosis
is pain originating from the dense band of tissue called the plantar
fascia that extends from the bottom of the heel bone to the base
of the toes (ball of the foot).
The plantar fascia connects the bottom of the heel bones to the ball of the foot and is involved in walking and running, giving spring to the step.
Plantar fasciosis is sometimes referred to as plantar fasciitis. However, this term is not correct. The term fasciitis means inflammation of the fascia, but plantar fasciosis is a disorder primarily of repeated stress to the fascia rather than a disorder of inflammation. Other terms used to describe plantar fasciosis include calcaneal enthesopathy and calcaneal spur syndrome (heel spur). However, a heel spur may or may not be present. Often a small tear results from excessive strain placed on the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciosis is one of the most common causes of heel pain.
Plantar fasciosis can develop in those who have sedentary lifestyles, wear high-heeled shoes, have unusually high or low arches in the feet, or have tight calf muscles or a tight Achilles tendon (which attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone). Sedentary people are usually affected when they suddenly increase their level of activity or wear less supportive shoes. Plantar fasciosis is also common among runners and dancers because of the increased stress on the fascia, especially if the person also has poor foot posture. The development of this painful disorder occurs more often in people whose occupations involve standing or walking on hard surfaces for prolonged periods. Disorders that may cause or aggravate plantar fasciosis are obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and other types of arthritis.
Symptoms
A person with plantar fasciosis may have pain anywhere along the course of the plantar fascia but most commonly where the fascia joins the bottom of the heel bone. The person often feels a great deal of pain after resting, particularly when placing weight on the foot first thing in the morning. The pain temporarily diminishes after the person first walks but may return later in the day. It may also begin when the person walks or runs. In this case, the pain radiates from the bottom of the heel toward the toes. Some people have burning or sticking pain along the inside border of the sole of the foot when walking.
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What Is a Heel Spur?
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A heel spur is a growth of extra bone on the heel bone (calcaneus). It may form when the plantar fascia, the connective tissue extending from the bottom of the heel bone to the base of the toes, pulls excessively on the heel. The spur may be painful as it develops, but it may become less painful as the foot adjusts to it. Most spurs can be treated without surgery.
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Diagnosis
The doctor may make the diagnosis after examining the foot. Tenderness is evident where the plantar fascia enters the heel bone or at the bottom of the ball of the foot.
X-rays may reveal the presence of a heel spur protruding from the bottom front edge of the heel bone. This heel spur is a growth of extra bone produced over time by a combination of increased strain on the fascia and foot dysfunction. However, people with plantar fasciosis often do not have heel spurs, and most people with heel spurs do not have pain, so the presence of heel spurs does not necessarily confirm plantar fasciosis. Other diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are rarely needed.
Treatment
To relieve the stress and pain on the fascia, the person can take shorter steps and avoid walking barefoot. Activities that involve foot impact, such as jogging, should be avoided. The person may need to lose weight. Stretching the calf muscles and foot often accelerates healing. Orthoses placed into well-fitting supportive shoes can help to cushion, elevate, and support the heel.
Other measures that may be needed include use of adhesive strapping or arch-supporting wraps, ice massage, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), occasional corticosteroid injections into the heel, physical therapy, and splinting at night to stretch the calf muscles and fascia during sleep. Corticosteroid injections should probably not be done more than a few times or else they might make the disorder worse. If these measures do not help sufficiently, a cast may be applied. If symptoms are still bothersome, surgery is very rarely required to attempt to partially release pressure on the fascia and remove any heel spurs.
Last full review/revision March 2008 by Kendrick Alan Whitney, DPM
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